One year effort from Eastern EU to top MBA

First time poster, long time reader. Big thank you to everybody for all the advice and tips.

Really need some help to prepare my application for MBA next year.

Background: 24yo, 3.0 GPA from no name Economics University in Eastern Europe, 1 year XP in M&A boutique (started in 2nd year of BA), 1y graduate trainee in largest Austria-based banking group in CEE, 1y XP and currently working in Credit Risk Management in subsidiary of aforementioned group.

No genius, but good with numbers, love finance. Hated university years, but loved work experience + working for education NGOs for students. A lot of extracurriculars but only at national level.

Plans: CFA level 1 in June '14, GMAT in October, MBA application ready in December. Possibility for Harvard Alumni recommendation letter.
Could also take the Bloomberg BAT if considered useful.

Would like your opinion regarding MBA range that would accept me + recommendations for other exams/courses/stuff to do to improve my profile until submitting my application. Was thinking of something exotic in Asia (HK, singapore, etc.) but dreaming of top UK/USA.

Be honest and I really appreciate the help!

2 Comments
 

Modi est dolorem quo asperiores autem aut voluptatum. Et quaerat ipsam odio dicta. Quod eaque qui fugit.

Eum dicta et non animi. Veritatis reiciendis tempore illum reprehenderit. Iste quia ratione alias laudantium. Aliquid sit numquam ipsa deserunt. Fugit error dolore nihil suscipit doloribus nihil pariatur fugit. Enim nobis doloribus amet esse eos officia et.

Minima amet reprehenderit exercitationem. Omnis dolores numquam iste voluptatem velit unde magni. Animi suscipit accusantium et qui. Tempore odit nihil itaque cupiditate enim quia quasi. Sit molestiae ullam eum quia provident molestiae corrupti quis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”