Accenture to M7 MBA. Stay or Leave?
Thanks in advance for the help. Long time lurker, first time poster.
Currently an analyst in Accenture's MCDP program doing what Accenture calls 'strategy' work. Looking to go to a MBA business schools">M7 B-School after promotion. Liberal arts major in undergrad with high gpa (3.8+).
My question is whether or not I will be competitive enough coming out of Accenture as opposed to MBB, LEK, OW, etc.? Should I try and lateral to another firm or do something in corp strategy on the industry side before I apply?
Again, thanks for the help!
Perfectly competitive for M7. H/S will be a bit of a reach, but I have a friend from Accenture that got into GSB this year, so it is doable. The rest of M7 are littered with Tier 2 consultants. Quite frankly, I don't think LEK or OW are any better in terms of b-school placement, and you won't be able to lateral to MBB. If you want to do corporate strategy, I'd do it, but not for business school's sake.
I would spend the time studying for the GMAT, doing extracurriculars, and developing your relationships at work to get the best recommendations possible instead of looking for a new job, especially since it seems like you want to apply sooner rather than later.
Thank you!
Just wondering, what kind of extracurriculars specifically? Work related groups or things outside of work that can speak to what my interests are and better build my story?
Thanks
The honest answer is both. As a consultant, your experience is relatively standard, and will be hard to differentiate from other big firm analysts/consultants (nothing wrong with that - business schools like standard as much as they seem to deny it). However, I do think an area where people can improve their candidacy is by contributing to firm development stuff (PRD at Deloitte, Extra 10s at Bain, etc.). Everyone does some of that, or at least it's expected, but if you can show significant impact, I think that makes a big difference. I don't think AdComs necessarily understand the difference between one project and another, but they do understand if you made a big impact on your firm as compared to other candidates from similar firms. Plus, I found that with my recommndations, although I had done strong project work for both, they seemed to mention and rave about what I had done with my firm development work even more. I think that your bosses tend to appreciate that more because it’s expected out of them, but they’re less likely to get dedicated help. Never hurts to improve recommenders opinions of you and give them more ammo for you recs.
Having said all that, it's probably even more important to have something outside of work. I always say this on here, but whatever you do, make sure it's genuine (e.g. something you've always wanted to do or have been involved with in some way for awhile), and make sure you make a huge impact (raise money, overhaul process, join board and contribute, etc.). I would say do one extra really, really well and impactfully, and then join one or two other things just to fill up the resume.
Accenture experience is not sufficient to get into an M7. Neither is MBB experience. You have to be a top achiever at either and be able to clearly explain how you've developed through that experience (and have the grades, scores, essays, recs, extras). Do MBBers have an edge? Probably. Enough to warrant spending 1-2 years on a lateral move just to improve MBA odds? Doubt it. 2/3's of many top MBA classes don't have "traditional" biz backgrounds at all.
I would say that's a bit of a stretch. Of course no work experience is sufficient on its own to get you into any school without a decent gmat score, some extras, and execution on the app/interviews. All that being said, I would like to know the number of people from MBB that strike out at all M7 - my guess is those that apply to 4+ schools almost all get in.
That's not necessarily because MBB is such a perfect experience, but more because those firms recruit based on GPA and standardized test scores, which along with work experience, are by far the most important things for an applicant. Say what you want about that population, but if you had a 3.8 at HYP, a 1500 on the SATs (or 2300 or however the new one works), you'll likely do just as well on the GMAT and be in great shape to get in. Add to that the fact that you're surrounded by current applicants and former M7 people that can help you with execution and it's almost hard not to get in. Plus, sponsored students are great for b-schools (guaranteed blue chip job at graduation, tend to help in getting non-sponsored students recruited).
I'm going to a M7 school this fall, I've definitely met Accenture people who got into kellogg and booth. That said, Duke level schools it seems more common. Just rock the GMAT (740+) and you should get into at least one of columbia/kellogg/booth/MIT/Wharton. H/S is almost impossible though.
Accenture SI to MBA business schools">M7 MBA (Originally Posted: 12/25/2013)
Hi all,
I have landed an analyst position with Accenture's Systems Integration practice. However, my long-term goal is to obtain a position with MBB's strategy consulting practice. I am aware that the best way may be to get into a top MBA program (M7) and then apply to MBB afterward, but even getting into an MBA program will be a challenge. I graduated from a top engineering program with a 3.3 GPA (low, I know). Can someone provide possible steps that would enable someone like me to make the transition from Accenture SI to MBB or a top MBA program? Or am I completely hopeless.
Thanks!
I know a girl who just got into GSB from Accenture SI, so it's definitely possible. Her GPA was probably a bit higher than a 3.3, but you also said MBA business schools">M7, so yes, it's definitely possible.
There's no formula to getting into good business schools. There are some hard numbers, like GPA and GMAT. Your GPA isn't great, but it's also not terrible, especially for a STEM major. Do well on the GMAT and you'll be fine. Beyond that, crush your projects at work. Recommendations are huge, as are actual accomplishments if/when you get to the essay/interview stage. You can control this outcome 100%, so just do it.
The last thing is extra curricular stuff, which is really a bunch easier to get involved in than most people think. Pick something that you like and that fits your background, and do something important with it. I raised a bunch of cash for an inner city baseball organization, because as a former college baseball player, that meant something to me. More importantly, it gave me a great story for essays and interviews, and had some really strong lessons learned.
I do just want to emphasize that there are no steps. Every single person is different. I left Deloitte S&O for a 10 person start-up consulting firm because I thought it sounded cool. Probably not the most logical choice considering I wanted to go to b-school in a couple of years, but it was something that I thought would be valuable for my career, so I did it. I have no idea what AdComs thought about it, but I do think it ended up 1) giving me some unique experiences and 2) made me stand out from a bunch of other non-MBB consultants.
Just go with what's best for you, but always do everything well and you'll be fine. Lots of people from Accenture get into good b-schools every year. No reason why you can't.
Thanks a lot! I understand that I'll need my GMAT to compensate as much as I can for my low GPA. I really don't know too much about getting involved with extra curricular activities outside of school, but I assume it'll probably be better to have a leadership role within an organization to compete with other candidates.
I am also thinking of trying to move temporarily to one of Accenture's international office so I have some work-abroad experience. Would that be a good idea?
Yes, a nice GMAT will help a lot, but seriously, your GPA isn't that bad. It's not awesome, but a 3.3 in a quant heavy degree is good enough for most schools. Again, maybe not H/S, but just about anywhere else.
I probably sound like a broken record for saying this, but really don't do stuff just for the purpose of it "looking good for school". I'm not saying that shouldn't be an inspiration, but it's just so glaringly obvious when people do that. For extras, do something that actually matters to you and fits your background. In the end, you'll actually probably enjoy doing it and want to get involved more.
For working abroad, do it if it's something you want to do, and again, if that fits your story. It's so insane to decide to move across the world because it might help you for b-school. However, if working abroad is something you've always wanted to do, and maybe your post-MBA goals reflect that, then do it.
B-school is not a bad thing to have in the back of your head as you make decisions, and maybe as a kick in the ass to motivate you, but it should really not be the prime reason for doing stuff, unless you're within a few months of applying (e.g. don't switch jobs two months before apps are due).
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