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Why not go directly for MBB. Are there any alums from your firm or your university working at MBB that you could reach out to?
Otherwise, I would consider law school for the versatility of the degree; if it's a school like Columbia law you have a great shot at MBB. Working in mid-tier consulting seems like the next most attractive choice, but there is no guarantee you'll get into a top business school.
Do not go to law school if you have no intention of being a lawyer - it's not worth it.
Source: I graduated with a JD last year.
You are currently at big 4. Are you in a client-facing position in the consulting (advisory) practice, or somewhere else in big 4?
So looking at what you proposed, I think you can rule #3 out. I wouldn't advise law school unless you want to be a lawyer. I would also rule #2 out. If your goal is MBB, then don’t go to McCombs. It’s a great school, but as you wrote, your odds are slim getting MBB out of there. If you are going to spend 2 years and possibly over $100k on your education, you shouldn’t have to rule out your target employers when you submit your deposit.
I think #1 is fine, but not necessarily required. Which firms would you target to transfer? I ask because big 4 consulting is basically mid-tier/tier 2. Sure, some are considered better (Deloitte S&O) than others (KPMG), but all can give you great pre-MBA experience from a global brand. Besides, it may be easier to move up at EY/KPMG, and evidence of career advancement is something business schools almost require unless you’re coming from MBB/IB (which are the only applicants that schools roundly accept applicants with 2 years of WE).
Just out of curiosity, what was your GPA, GMAT, and to which school did you submit applications? Actual or ranges/equivalents are fine, but it would give posters a better picture of your profile.
I'm in assurance, so I'm in a client-facing position. However, I don't enjoy the work, and I don't think it's very good experience, although the opportunity for advancement is certainly there. Right now, I could switch to a mid-tier firm, similar to an Alvarez & Marsal.
GPA - 3.75ish GMAT/LSAT - top 99%
I submitted MBA applications to NW, Harvard, Booth, Columbia, etc.
To the comment that I should try switching to MBB now, I tried applying for an analyst position at all 3 firms. Got to the final round at McKinsey. Straight rejected by Bain and BCG after applying online.
Wow, I'm surprised you got traction at all from online applications. That's actually pretty impressive.
If MBB is the goal and I were you, I would spend the next year busting my ass at work to make Senior, networking hard with MBB friends from undergrad or other warm connections, and taking a hard look at how to bolster my chances for a top-10 MBA. Do these things and you'll be positioned to re-apply to MBB or MBA programs. Of the two, I would choose the MBA. Lateralling in as a BA/AC/A with 3 years experience is still going to leave you wanting an MBA to advance.
When you are applying to top 10 business schools, you need to have a strong work experience with fair amount of time spent in leadership positions. Though shifting jobs now would not be a good option from the perspective of a business schools application, you can shift job because you do not like your present one. Try to get into a leadership position in your new job and apply to business schools after a year or so.
As everyone has suggested, go to law school only if you want to be a lawyer.
Good Luck!
It sounds like you should have had a shot for at least some of the better schools. Have you sat down and analyzed why you were rejected? If you think the sole reason is you didn't work long enough then why not just stay there for another year. There is no reason to switch to a mid tier consulting if you are already doing good work at your Big 4.
If lack of work experience is the only reason for your rejection, stay where you are for a year or two more and then reapply. Try and get promoted in this time (helpful to show that your application has advanced from when you last applied) and if needed, try to internally transfer to an area that will give you better work experience.
I don't think that moving to another mid-tier consulting firm will significantly improve your chances of a top MBA school.
One other option would be to apply to a non-consulting role at MBB (i.e., Research, Analytics, one of the 'McKinsey Solutions' teams). It's possible to transfer from these into the general consulting stream. To manage expectations, this transition is difficult and I know of only a few people who did it but most of them were very successful once they did.
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