Big 4 Consulting to MBA Query
I want to know what MBA programs are typically filled by Big 4 consultants.
I'm currently a Big 4 consultant at a major NA city (think NY, Chicago, Boston, San Fran), and wish to do business school. However, I want to know what schools similar applicants to me are typically competitive for, and what I could do to differentiate myself.
Ideally, I'd love to get into a top 15 MBA program, and I've been worried that choosing to become a B4 consultant may have ultimately hindered my application.
If this helps: expected 730 GMAT, 3.6GPA (Mathematics and Economics), Great undergrad extracurriculars (program president, multiple leadership positions), average post-school extracurriculars, average volunteering experience
bump
From S&O I have pretty much only seen 3rd-year Analyst/consultants go to top 10 programs. You'll for sure hit within that range as long as you don't mess up the MBA interviews.
Is an MBA the right move? B4 Consultant (Originally Posted: 05/23/2017)
As you’ll see from previous posts – Career has been Big 4 Audit, Big 4 Consulting, Big 10 State School… I’ve spent the last 2 years looking at options to move into a more strategic position both in industry and via other consulting firms. Opportunities have been extremely operational/back office and I’m starting to feel extremely pigeonholed as both a consultant and back office SME.
My last project was focused in Media/Entertainment and I've found myself extremely interested in the industry and have started to pursue opportunities within this field (job applications, reaching out to alum in the industry, weirdly started a blog). Ideally, I would want to work in Corp Strategy but have looked at finance roles as a potential entry point.
Should I get an MBA to make this transition or should I continue to break in via my current route? I'm at a manager level and would be close to 30 at time of an MBA.
I'm also thinking about an MBA myself... and my thought process is:
You missed all of the deadlines for this year's admissions into an MBA program. First applications for Fall 2018 begin this September, with the last one's being April 1.
Take some time to write out exactly what you're looking for, and then network your butt off for these 3-6 months - what does "looking" mean to you? I've read threads where people send 100 emails a day... have you been doing that? And an MBA won't help you find/discover yourself/help you pinpoint an interest. Most people go to MBA's knowing what they want, since you'll be thrown into interviews almost immediately when you start to get that summer internship...
And when you're not copy pasting emails and trying to network - study for the GMAT and get a good score. As a manager, I'm sure you've had a great network and could easily get Partners to write reviews.
If you get accepted to a good program, you can always defer or not accept, if you end up happening to land at a good place!
Good luck! We should keep in touch as I'm one month into my networking journey / putting together b-school apps!
You should be able to get into a T15 with M7 upside (assuming high GMAT), which is likely worth it if your goal is MBB/IB/F500 Corporate roles
Follow up here - Is there any value in doing a part-time or EMBA for a reputable bschool?
Only pursue MBA if you need it to accomplish your goals.
I understand what you are getting at but it's kind of ridiculous statement.. The only reasons you would truly NEED to get an MBA is if you wanted to make a truly monumental career shift (IB, MBB, social media analyst -> corp finance). Based upon what you are saying, if you are currently in a corporate environment but want to reposition or climb, do not pursue an MBA because it is not needed. I would agree through networking and work, you may be able to accomplish these goals, however I'd be hard-pressed to imagine that an MBA wouldn't expedite this process.
I've decided ultimately this is the right route and have started the GMAT process. I was targeting to take first week of September in order to reach a score of 700+
Question is do I lower my odds of entrance into a good program if I apply Round 2, as to spend the fall working on applications and getting recs in order?
No - having worked as a student admissions committee member at my M7 I can definitively say round 1 = round 2 in terms of admissions competitiveness. Go with whichever round will allow you to submit your best possible application. That said, you can always be strategic with which schools you apply to in which round (plus spread workload). Round 3 is a different story...avoid.
Big 4 Strategy Consulting to better hours and more social impact - should I do an MBA? (Originally Posted: 09/16/2015)
I've been working in the strategy consulting group of a Big 4 Firm (think Deloitte S&O or PwC Strategy - latter now merged into "Strategy&") for 6 years out of undergrad, have been promoted to Senior Associate (the entry-level Post-MBA role) and am up for promotion (a little late) to Manager this year. Part of that was a year and a half on rotation in our digital health incubator, where I designed an app to change health and wellness behavior. Most of my background is in market entry/strategic planning/commercial due diligence in healthcare (especially tech), with a smattering of experience in cleantech and other industries.
I'm looking to do something 50-60 hours a week (if not now, then at least within 5 years) which makes an impact on something I care about -- right now that means I'm looking at: - Product, Client Service / Account Mgmt, or Growth / Marketing roles at small-midsize healthtech or cleantech companies - Lateral to a social impact consultancy (FSG, etc.) - Lateral to an innovation consultancy (IDEO, etc - IDEO themselves told me I'm not competitive, though I don't know that an MBA would really change that).
I'm planning to apply to b-school Round 2 this year (which will be a hell of a sprint, given I just started studying for the GMAT) and apply to positions directly once I submit my apps.
My question is: if I can get one of the roles I'm interested in directly, is it worth the immense sum of money to go to b-school instead because failing to do so will make me less competitive / limit career advancement down the road?
Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
I'm not sure why you would want to put yourself in debt + take yourself out of the job market if you can get one of the roles you're interested in without an MBA. That being said, a lot of ppl do MBA because they want a break from working and need a vacation or they really are interested in the personal development part of an MBA. If that's the case I say go for an one year program. You've got strategy consulting + Big-4 on your resume and a lot of F500 companies will be interested in you. So maybe ping few headhunters or talk to HR folks of the companies you're interested in.
Since you're about to make manager, I say look into E-MBA as well if you're really interested. A lot of high ranked programs have 1 year E-MBA programs and that'll probably accelerate your career growth as well.
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