<p>I was wondering, to get a job as an assoc. with an IB firm, did you have to be an analyst with the firm first? Or can going to a top 25 MBA program will get you recruited?</p>
<p>A top MBA program would allow you to make the switch to being an associate. But I mean, you really really have to shoot for a good MBA program and one that gets recruited well from the banks.</p>
<p>Will top 25 do? Or do I do I need to shoot for the top 10?</p>
<p>No. More like top 5 to 10.</p>
<p>You need job experience BEFORE you can get your MBA. Every year, people get accepted to places like Wharton, Columbia or HBS without experience, but these are rare cases. You'll most likely be competing with like people in their late 20's and know what the hell they're talking about. So no you don't need to be an analyst but I hear bulge bracket is the fast track to a Harvard MBA (and BB pays well too).</p>
<p>you know, ihateca, I really like your posts since you are so "right on" with your comments and your suggestions. I don't know if you have a lot of job experience yourself, or if you've just done a lot of detailed research into these areas--but in either case your insights are very much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks. I'm a high school junior BTW.</p>
<p>whats bulge bracket?</p>
<p>It's a whole bunch of the largest banks on Wall Street including Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, etc.</p>
<p>Hows this a fast track to a Harvard MBA? (not arguing w/you, just want to know y)</p>
<p>Work experience at a bulge bracket is highly valued. Most people work for 5 years before going to Harvard for their MBA, but a lot of bulge bracket analysts end up going to Harvard for their MBAs in around 2-3 years.</p>
<p>a faster track would be to do a stint in Baghdad.</p>