Hi all,

I've been thinking lately about getting an MBA, but I am torn. Here's my background followed by my dilemma:

I'm 28, but would be 30-31 by the time I finish the MBA IF I do decide to go for one.

Career: I have about 5 years of experience, mostly on the buy-side as an investment analyst and associate portfolio managemer. None of my past employers are "bulge bracket" although some are very big regionally (but not internationally).

My experience includes:
- Canadian, U.S. and a bit of Western European equity and fixed income (but mainly equity). (Montreal based)
- Hedge fund analysis working for a small fund of hedge funds. (Montreal based)
- I have recently moved to the GCC region to work for a local bank as an GCC equity analyst.

Education:
- BComm with major in Finance from a decent University (Canada) - GPA 3.3 (I was working during my whole undergrad at the same time)
- MSc Finance again from a decent university (U.K) - GPA equivalent of 3.8
- CFA Charterholder since 2009

Here's where my dilemma gets into play. I feel that my CV lacks 2 main things:

1. Degree from top institution ( HBS, Stanford, LBS, LSE, INSEAD, etc.)
2. bulge bracket experience (JPM, Goldman, Morgan Stanley, DB, etc.)

I am not looking to change careers. I am very happy on the buy-side and would like to become a portfolio manager (hopefully for a hedge fund). That said, I am also very interesting in PE and would definitely consider joining a PE firm. I am not constrained geographically.

If I undertake an MBA it would only be in a top 10 program.
Assuming I do manage to get in, how helpful would it be for my career considering my previous background/education?
The opportunity cost for me is very very high currently (including 1 or 2 years of lost salary) and that's why I'm hesitating.

If I graduate, I'm not sure if an associate level job on the buy-side would leave better or worse off (even assuming it's in a bulge bracket bank). Do recruiters higher at VP level if the candidate has prior experience?

If I do switch into PE, to what extent would my experience help. Would I still have to start at associate-level?

Any input would be very helpful. Thank you!

I understand what you're saying and that may very well happen. But I like to get as much input as I can when doing due diligence. Besides, I will have to commit a sizable amount of time to get an appropriate GMAT score.

Just for arguments sake, let's assume that I have been accepted in a top 10 MBA.