MBB or BB out of undergrad? - Life Sciences

Title. I am currently studying biophysics/econ, and have significant independent/academic research in drug dev (I have discovered drug targets, given conference keynotes on market viability, etc); on the econ side, I don't have much, but I'm an underclassman still and want to gain more experience.

I was premed. Hence the heavy research focus; I still might get an MD or PhD, but for personal reasons, I don't think that being a clinician is right for me, and I've always been much happier actually getting drugs from Bench to Bedside. Regardless, I want to work for a few years out of undergrad, as I can still go to grad school after 2-3 years. However, I don't know whether targeting IB or Consulting is the move.

IB:
Pros: Higher Comp, immediate specialization in healthcare
Cons: WLB (Marginal Diff), More repetitive/less creative work at the Junior level, less business focus

Consulting:

Pros: Travel, more business focus, better exit opportunities (Client, PE, etc.), more creative work at the Junior level
Cons: Less Comp, Will become somewhat of a generalist for the first year or so

IB or Consulting

IB
26% (5 votes)
Consulting
74% (14 votes)
Total votes: 19
1 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Veniam odio a sit rerum fugit. Repellendus distinctio quos voluptatibus voluptas similique consectetur autem labore. Tenetur consequatur omnis necessitatibus accusantium. Sapiente et atque aperiam dolor. Est deserunt unde quia atque ut voluptate architecto officia. Sint qui eos praesentium id veniam nulla.

Ea aliquid velit repudiandae amet recusandae. Asperiores minus ut dolor rem est. Mollitia quos qui sunt et explicabo impedit qui. Doloremque nisi qui fugit sunt ipsa. Excepturi pariatur nemo quo quas est.

Enim rerum blanditiis in voluptatibus saepe est eius. Iusto iusto temporibus fugiat fugiat qui magnam ut optio. Est qui nihil fuga ea quos unde molestiae. Porro cupiditate omnis sequi et voluptatem quo.

Excepturi quisquam aliquid neque voluptas quia. Quia qui quis qui. Earum cupiditate repellendus accusantium facere odit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (52) $246
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (576) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (391) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (635) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”