Least competitive MBA that can still get you into IB?

Question

Hi, everyone. I'm basically wondering about the worst of the best MBA. What's the least competitive business school that can still get you into Investment Banking? I'm asking, because recently I saw something. I saw that even schools like Thunderbird or Hult are able to send students to big name companies. I'm not saying people getting MBAs from these schools are getting accepted into IB positions, but it still sounds pretty assuring when Thunderbird lists Goldman or Hult lists Chase or some other big bank. I also understand that, of course they are allowed to list Goldman as a recruiter even only if 1 person out of a class of 200 gets a job there.

Here's my list:

Thunderbird
Hult
Kogod

Personally, I'll try to avoid these schools as much as possible, but they are still options for people like me.

Here's my list:

Thunderbird
Hult
Kogod

Personally, I'll try to avoid these schools as much as possible, but they are still options for people like me.

GMATLA · Answer

Just because those schools list employers are BB firms doesn't mean the people that were placed are investment bankers. Remember that all those firms employ staffs of HR, IT, Marketing, support staff, etc. So take what you read with a grain of salt.

No MBA in the world will guarantee you a spot in IB. That being said, having an MBA will help with your shot at it, but it can be tough if you've had no IB experience b4 starting your MBA. I would recommend starting now and working to network your way into positions. It can be extrememly chanllenging to get into IB, even from top MBA's, so I would get into the best school you can to help your chances.

gmatz101 · Answer

I see what you mean. For me it will be much harder. I don't necessarily limit myself to IB, but I would like to work on the introverted side of securities markets. Trading and research.

My degree is in Bio and I have less than stellar gpa and work experience. The only option I see for myself is pursuing the MSF and networking myself heavily. Otherwise, I will be stuck in dead end jobs. To find a job in trading or securities research, from the following options, what would you say is best? MSF Part-time MBA Certificate in Finance - will it do anything at all? MBA at a less than stellar school As I said, my gpa is less than stellar. I plan on getting high 600 to low 700 gmat and I have 1.5 years of non-continuous work experience.

RG0105 · Answer

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jkiddy · Answer

Great post. 
I thought it was interesting that Dartmouth is listed undergrad but Tuck is left out of the grad list. What do you think that has to do with? Small class size so no recruitment on campus?

Gokhra · Answer

GMATLA makes a very good point. When looking at employment reports, many MBA applicants make the mistake of equating industry with function. Just because you work at an Investment Bank doesn't necessarily mean that you are an Investment Banker. Companies like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley have more people in their support functions than in their IB division. I doubt that there is going to be any significant IB recruiting by the BB banks outside the top 15 business schools. Of course if you are good at networking and recruiting yourself, you could probably get an IB job from almost any b-school.

The other thing to note (if you are not in a top target school) is that most banks probably do some recruiting regionally outside of their target schools. For example if you are in an NYC area school (or even in a Chicago or SF area school), you will probably find it considerably easier to get interviews for IB positions then if you are say, in Arizona.

Hope this helps!

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futurectdoc · Answer

It's complicated IB refers to a huge number of firms, ranging from Bulge Brackets to tiny boutiques. While GS, MS and DB are going to hire primarily out of the top 8 schools there will be plenty going from NYU and other less well ranked schools. For middle markets, recruitment is more regional, a lot of Vandy grads are at Morgan Keegan, which is now part of Raymond James, Emory sends to SunTrust Robinson Humphrey and UNC to Wells and BofAML in Charlotte. I'd say any top 50 school will give you a shot, however it all depends on the market and I would likely take SMU or Minnesota over the better ranked ASU

hypermeganet · Answer

I agree: Most top-50 schools will give you a shot at a regional investment banking role, especially if the school has a strong undergrad alumni network. I wasn't even interested in i-banking really but I wanted to keep it open as an option. No i-banks recruited at my MBA program (top 40 USNews), but I got interviews with middle market firms left and right just by emailing various MDs who went to my school's undergrad program. I probably got a dozen informational interviews on the phone and then 5 "real" interviews.

I could have gotten an offer, I think, but I turned down my 2nd round interviews since I had accepted a role. I had the modeling experience from classwork, a modeling bootcamp, and internships in equity research.

I could have gotten an offer, I think, but I turned down my 2nd round interviews since I had accepted a role. I had the modeling experience from classwork, a modeling bootcamp, and internships in equity research.

Least competitive MBA that can still get you into IB?

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