Too late for HSW?

I've worked for 3 years as an associate in a large cap PE firm in London, just got promoted to senior associate / VP / AVP (I guess different titles across firms). 3 years of banking experience, so 6 years of experience total.

I'm told that for the 'M-degree' (trying to avoid getting this post re-classified to a forum which no one reads), everyone gets to start as an 'M associate' post graduation in the US as that's the standardized program and it would be difficult to get your pre-M experience fully recognized.

This would mean that I'll be effectively stepping back 3 years for my career if I do an M degree.

I have other reasons to pursue an M degree but want to assess this correctly. Is this true?

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