The Role of CFA Level 2 in MBA Admission

Hi, ladies and gentlemen,

My post-MBA goal is to break into IB. Note that I live outside the U.S. and have never had IB experience. I currently work in the internal M&A team of a regional corporation in the energy sector. I want to pass CFA Level 2 to strengthen my application. However, the downside is that it requires a significant time commitment and would delay my MBA application by around 1–2 years.

What do you think? Is the additional boost from CFA Level 2 worth the 1–2 years of delay? I am aiming for T15 schools (target and semi-target). I know that the GMAT score, academic background, essays, work experience, and recommendations are more important, but I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter.

Thank you in advance.

Should I pass CFA Level 2 pre-MBA?

Yes
25% (1 vote)
No
75% (3 votes)
Total votes: 4
1 Comments
 

Sit doloremque vel dolor modi esse fugiat animi id. Quisquam esse nesciunt eos sed a. Quas dolor voluptatem et aperiam.

Optio itaque atque in error. Adipisci odit beatae ratione sit rem. Quis ut omnis at sed.

Ut velit voluptatem et id nihil exercitationem. Eos hic omnis et aut corrupti. Voluptatem ab eum in eum.

Officiis ut quo illum voluptates et qui. Nihil dolore cupiditate commodi et. Praesentium saepe illo quibusdam modi. Aut non corrupti aut est. Sint cupiditate suscipit qui et cupiditate quibusdam.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (15) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”