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

 

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.

 

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!

BSP
 

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.

 

No - having worked as a student admissions committee member at my MBA business schools">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.

 

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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