Look at recruiting access rather than prestige in isolation. The useful signals are whether MBB firms recruit on campus, how many students they hire, the strength of the alumni network, and which offices those graduates typically enter.

Placement data is more informative than internet target-school lists. A school can be excellent for one geography and much less connected to another.

Also remember that a strong target school gives you access, not a guaranteed offer. Academic performance, leadership, networking, and interview performance still matter.

Look at actual placement reports if the school publishes them.

A school with active MBB clubs + alumni makes recruiting way easier to navigate.