See below for a little bit on my background, followed by my ultimate question:
_Overview:_
- Graduated from Penn State in 2013 with my BS in accounting, and 2014 with my masters in accounting
- Active CPA as of October 2015
- Almost 6 years of working experience. Around 2 at KPMG, and the last 3.5 at Salesforce. Have been a top performer the entire time at Salesforce
- Undergrad GPA of 3.41
- Will have Harvard CORe (https://online.hbs.edu/courses/core/) class (MBA prep class) completed by early June
- Have not taken the GMAT yet, but shooting for a minimum of 700
_Why MBA?_
- Have the accounting, sales, tech background - want to fill in knowledge gaps to be well rounded
- Eventually want to be on the operating side of a VC firm that advises on high-growth tech companies. When I see those that work there now, they all have consulting (usually MBB) and MBA background (usually top 10) - would be hard to crack in otherwise, and I don’t have any personal connections in the space
- Can expand network of driven individuals
*Post MBA goals*
- Management consulting, MBB only - would want to be there 2 years and then make the move to VC/PE on the operating side (not investing). I’d look at anything other than MBB a failure, as theres a chance with my current background I could just pivot to T2/T3 consulting firms as an experienced hire
_Why Columbia?_
- Would stay in NYC, the city I want to be in
- M7 / prestige
- Good consulting reputation
- Would be open to other schools in the top 10
_Current compensation _
- 150k as the minimum - 200k+ in good years - 250k+ in great years. This number will only continue to go up
With all of this said, am I better off going full time to get my MBA (along with go into debt and forgo 1.5 years of income) knowing my end goal? I am torn between doing this and getting my MBA part time at NYU Stern, where I could continue to work and expense part of the cost (only 5k-10k a year depending on the company I would be with at the time) over 2-4 years. It seems a little risky, considering I am putting the bar at MBB - but wanted to get a second opinion
Just for clarification, I am current in a sales function
interested in hearing feedback as well as I am exploring similar options to break into PE/VC
Think you are on the right track. Definitely need a higher GMAT than 700, especially if you are a white male. I would shoot for 730 minimum to get into CBS or any other MBA business schools">M7, given your so-so GPA and undergraduate prestige. CORe is a plus but a relatively small one.
Work experience is good. They will like the shift from KPMG to Salesforce.
Saying you only want to work at 3 firms or bust will not look good to CBS adcoms. Just say MBB and leave out what you think your chances are at T2/T3. There are even people who go to HBS who do not get MBB and have to settle for those firms.
For your long term goal you should narrow a preferred industry focus. Sounds too broad as is.
If you take the above advice into consideration and you do Early Decision at CBS you have a great shot. If you are MBB or bust do not even bother with a PT program. There are literally hundereds of people from Stern PT going to the MBB sessions and anywhere between 0 to a nmumber you can count on your hand will actually get hired. I would say if $$ is really important I almost wouldnt go at all and just go for T2/T3 directly becuase you will be making the same in your first Post-MBA role coming out as you did going in.
is a MBA truly needed to work for MBB? through LinkedIn searches, the majority of people do have MBAs but there are numerous people who don’t as well. curious to know if this is make/break or if there are other ways to break in.
I don't think an MBA is essential to start working for an MBB. A fair number of people lateral into Analyst roles a couple years out of an undergrad. But, this would require a certain amount of luck and is usually going to be a function of: - You posessing a specific skill/domain knowledge that the MBB firm is looking for - You networking and getting your resume in front of the right people - A compelling reason on "Why Consulting?"
The people I know who did the above were B4/T2 consultants, Coders/Data Scientists and Bankers. Each one of them built a strong network in MBB they leaned on to get interviews.
Thanks. What about a background similar to the OP, 6 years in tech sales with a good portion in sales leadership roles?
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