IB as a feeder to MBA - is it worth it though?
Hello -
As a bit of background: I am 25 and have spent 4 years as a commercial banker in corporate strategy. I am looking to enter an MBA program in a couple years and have interests in IB and MC.
Would it be worth my time to network with IB recruiters and switch career paths to an IB Analyst for two years and then apply to MBA?
Would an IB role really bolster my chances of entering a top MBA program? Or do i stay the course and simply apply first round this summer for an MBA?
What resources can you all recommend i that i leverage to learn more about the career benefits of an IB role ahead of applying to an MBA. I ask bc i have seen a lot of forum talk about entering an IB role and the risks associated bc it puts you in the same pool as other highly competitive IB MBA applicants.
BTW - my GMAT score is 650.
Yes. IB is significantly more attractive to admission committees than commercial banking. That said, you might want to work on your GMAT a bit - 650 likely won't cut it for T15 programs
Maybe but that pool is also significantly more competitive.
I would really advise doing top 10. Everything outside of top10 is a waste of your time.
Makes sense - ty. My plan is to reach out to local Ibank recruiters (Moelis, Piper) with my story and why i am interested in learning more about the roles. Would this be wise?
To be honest, being 25 and 4 years of experience as a commercial banker I don't see why any firm would hire you as an analyst without any prior IB experience. Your best chance is you could potentially try and lateral from your current firm to its IBD but even then your chances are slim. Reaching out to recruiters is going to be a waste of your time with your background, I would just focus on getting my GMAT up and apply for T15 programs and get into IB after an MBA.
You are probably not going to get into Moelis or Piper as an IB analyst with 4 years of non-IB experience. Their programs recruit from college for Analyst 1, and you don't have the experience to come in as a lateral Analyst 2. You may find a role at a small regional boutique. However, that won't really help you that much for MBA and I can't see why you'd get into IB just to get an MBA and be 30 by the time you graduate.
Your best path by far is to do the MBA now (your GMAT needs to get better, focus on that for M7 or at least top 15) and enter IB as an associate (or skip that altogether and go to MC).
Don't see you getting a spot as an analyst at any major banks / advisories. However, apart from your GMAT, you already have an good background for a decent MBA school, ECs depending. Get that GMAT up and you could easily recruit IB or MC via MBA.
Got it, I am going to get grinding on raising my GMAT. I appreciate the feedback!
I knew of someone at my bank (top mm) who had 3 years of prior corp fin but non-IB experience and managed to lateral as a 1st year analyst. Definitely not the norm and was a one off given need for an immediate hire, but I wouldn't give up hope.
Understood, I am not going to give up! I will most likely be hitting the MBA route though.
Your GMAT is gonna need to be above 710. Unless you are an African American female
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