<p>In terms of respect on Wall Street, I would say that people really don’t care that much about your educational background. The analyst from Harvard and the analyst from X school are still analysts in the same class. An associate without an MBA just means that he/she was able to get promoted after two years. Respect comes from how you perform (as well as your title and what firm you work for).</p>
<p>As mentioned above, if you want to break into a quant fund, an advanced degree might be a good idea. The only social value grad school would add is the friends you make and time you have to relax while you’re in school.</p>