Level of Competition of MBB and Tier 2 Applications in Emerging Markets vs. Developed Markets

Question

Hi All,

I am currently preparing for my applications and case interviews for MBBs and Tier 2s and would like to target Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Singapore) as my preferred choice.

I would like some thoughts on this. Is it true that breaking into MBBs and some Tier 2s in Emerging Markets is less competitive than in developed regions like New York and London offices? And with that said, should my application and level of preparation be tailored if I am applying to more than one office with different competitive levels?

Thank you for your attention. Any answers here are greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

hey there :)

I wouldn’t assume that Southeast Asian offices are automatically easier to break into. The applicant pool may be smaller than London or New York, but local offices can still be extremely selective, especially Singapore. Competition also depends heavily on your background, work authorization, language skills and whether you have a genuine connection to the market.

I’d keep your preparation level the same regardless of office. If anything, tailor the application itself to the specific market by showing why Indonesia or Singapore makes sense for you and highlighting relevant regional experience. The biggest mistake would be treating an emerging market application as a “backup” because you assume it will be easier.

best,
Alessa :)