“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it.
André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me.
One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it.
A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage.
The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing.
Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting.
I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans.
Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”
I'd pick Georgetown. It might give you some IB options as well that the others do not if MBB falls through.
I'm at Georgetown now and I'm recruiting for consulting. The Veteran community here is very strong and consulting is probably the most popular destination post-MBA. Still early in the recruiting season, but for a program that a lot of people don't consider strong with MBB, I think we have a dozen (out of maybe 60 people seriously going for consulting) that'll be interviewing with BCG (McK and Bain haven't invited people yet). Big 4 firms recruit heavily from Georgetown as well.
As the other poster mentioned, Georgetown would also give you plenty of opportunities to recruit for IB.
Thanks cowboy. The thing that makes me nervous is the difference in salaries. Carnegie Mellon reports an average and median salary for consultants as 135-140 while Georgetown reports 120. Why the big gap?
Also, Carnegie Mellon gave me a $20k scholarship per year and Georgetown gave me zi
Go Georgetown or CMU based on proximity to Philly - will increase your chances for MBB recruiting. There are 0 grads from Vandy in MBB Philly.
Tepper seems to be better at first glance even with close rankings. From https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/mbb-from-ross-mba</a">this it looks like 2.5x % people go to MBB from Tepper (15.1%) compared to McDonough (6.3%). Secondly, differences in salary may be due to the federal/commercial consulting split, which tilts in CMU's favor if you're looking for commercial. Lastly, given you have 40k in aid from CMU, I'd go with Tepper.
FYI: Most common MBB locations for Georgetown grads, in order: DC NYC Boston Chicago Most common MBB locations for CMU grads, in order: NYC Pittsburgh Chicago Boston
Do you have the same data for any other MBAs? Looking for Ross and Kellogg specifically.
Yep! Very roughly sketch - I used LinkedIn, top 5 options displayed in filters are the most common. You can do the same thing for any school you're interested in (check locations) as well as any locations you're interested in (check schools). Admittedly it doesn't reveal much that hasn't been explained in linked threads already.
Ross: ~425 current, Chicago (25%) Detroit (16%) NJ/NYC (8%) SF (4%) Kellogg: ~1050 current, Chicago (30%) NJ/NYC (8%) Dallas (5%) SF (5%)
If I want to do commercial will the salary offers be the same out of both programs? I want to make Georgetown work for my wife because DC would be a much better place for her career wise
Yes, they will.
Forgive me because I am new to this, but Can I leverage my offer at CMU to try and get help at Georgetown?
Agree with all of the above. Since you have aid from another school, I would definitely talk to Gtown and see what they say.
For the salary difference, I would say that a lot of it is due to Gtown sending a lot of students to Federal consulting. But as the above posters have said, whether you are at CMU or Gtown, commercial salaries will be the same.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Here is one last question for you guys- McCombs would be the best school for my wife’s career. After the MBA we want to relocate to the north east. Would going to mccombs make it difficult to transition to a consulting firm in the NE? I’m waitlisted at mccombs so am not sure if I want to play that game the next few months if it wouldn’t be worth it
It'll be more difficult for MBB, not sure about T2/B4. See https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/lowest-ranked-b-school-for-mbb-r…</a">this recent thread. Still possible (I did something similar successfully) but you'll need to have/form strong connections to the NE locations of interest.
So if I were you I'd go CMU first unless Georgetown matches aid, with Georgetown as a 2nd choice.
Figured it out after doing a little more research and talking to a campus recruiter from delloitte, a Tepper grad who is at delloitte, and a former Mckinsey consultant.
Gtown doesn't get many recruiters for the commercial side. Tepper gave me more money, is higher ranked, and puts twice as high of a percentage of students into consulting than Vanderbilt does. Couldn't pass this up.
Cant wait to get up to Pittsburgh and start.
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