Business School Decision - Need Advice

Hello All,

I am struggling to reach a decision on whether to attend business school or not next year. I am currently an engineer hoping to move to management consulting (MBB).

Stats - I am posting ranges to remain anonymous
GMAT: 740-760
GPA: 3.6-3.8 from Top Public Engineering
Exp: 4 years as an EE/CE at F500
Eth: Non-Minority Male

Rejections: H/S/MIT
Waiting to hear back: Booth/Kellogg
Accepted: Top 10, not MBA business schools">M7 with small scholarship

I was also accepted into a rotational development program at my current F500 that would take me through various business units. Being that my goal is MBB, I am unsure if my current resume stacks up to get me that job after business school.

I would really appreciate any thoughts from people in MBA programs or in management consulting. Thanks!

Business School or More Work experience?

The crux of this issue is business school or more work experience for transitioning into consulting from an unrelated field (engineering). Applying to the top 10 with a focus on the M& should be your first step. From this point, you can prioritize based on acceptance. Acceptance into Kellogg and Booth are top feeders for MBB. However, breaking into MBB from the any top 10 (or other) school is entirely possible due to the strong alumni base. However, there will need to be an emphasis on networking.

Interested in MBA will be. it would help answer a lot of questions PRIOR to business school.

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Best Response

I would probably go. I don't know what Top-10 you're referring to that's not M7, but by deductive reasoning I'll assume it's Tuck, Stern, Fuqua, or SOM. I'm going to assume it's not Tuck, because (bias aside) it is a consulting factory (for better or for worse...).

Every one of those other schools can get you a job at MBB. I saw people from Stern and SOM at each of my sell weekends, and although I didn't see any Fuqua, they probably place better, just more southern. If you get into Kellogg or Booth, this is an easy decision.

In the end, you just need access to some people at the firms, a few supporters, and a chance to interview. If you go into any of the schools listed above set on consulting and willing to put in the legwork to network and crush your cases, you'll have a great shot at getting an MBB job. Your background/experience seems fine to get a job.

Of course, if you want to wait to see if you like the more business-y problems that consultants deal with, then certainly do so. I just don't think your resume will change enough to drastically impact your MBB chances because of it.

Also, have you let Kellogg/Booth know about the accolades/new job offer?

 

Thanks for the feedback @BGP2587 !

I have not let Kellogg/Booth know of the new job offer or accolades. Does it makes sense to do that with decisions only a few weeks away? Do I email them letting them know that I am considering a new job instead of an MBA program? I don't think I would do the rotational program if I could only do it a few months before starting an MBA.

 

I would just send them an email and say that you want to update them on a few things that have happened since you submitted your application. I would certainly not say that you're considering the rotational program over school, but simply that you have been accepted into it, and maybe a quick blurb about what acceptance entails (like a rotational program for well-regarded future business leaders or whatever).

Not rocket science, but you never know where you stand with AdComs, and little things can put you over the edge.

 

You should see whether you're admitted to Booth or Kellogg before making any decisions. Both are big time MBB feeders and if you get into either, you've made it. Your stats would get you selected to interview assuming you play the recruiting game well, and all you'd need do then is master case prep.

If both come back with dings, then you've got a great job opportunity waiting for you, and my advice would be to head in that direction. After all, why go to a school you don't want to attend? (Why did you even apply to schools you wouldn't even consider?).

How many years work experience do you have? that would also make a difference in determining whether waiting to re-apply is a good idea or not.

 

4 yrs is the sweet spot. If you get into either Booth or Kellogg, go. If you don't , I wouldn't risk going to a non M7- top 10 school outside of Tuck for MBB with stats like yours. If you don't get into Booth or Kellogg then I'd recommend you focus on taking the job and re-applying, this time with an Admissions Consultant. Otherwise you might not ever discover what the weaknesses in your apps/essays may have been.

 

Send those updates to the adcom ASAP as they are doing final reads of the applications right now. You need all the help you can get.

RE: reapplying next year w/ a consultant, i wouldn't waste your time and money. Rather, find someone who has gotten into a top business school AND who knows you well help out. I found that those people were far and away the best at helping me find success in the process (I shelled out several thousands on a consultant w/ mixed results).

If you don't get into Booth or Kellogg, definitely take the rotational job. I almost think that would be a better use of one year regardless of being accepted to one of the Chicago schools. The truth is that you're an engineer and you think you want to do business but you don't know. You think you want to do consulting but you don't know. The rotational program will provide an immense amount of exposure to a different business functions that will be more valuable in many ways than even an MBA will be. it would help answer a lot of questions PRIOR to business school.

 

Thanks for the detailed advice. I pretty much agree with everything you said.

My assumption is that going through a selective rotational program makes me a stronger candidate if I apply next year. Is that correct? The downside is that I will also be a year older. I would hate to turn down an acceptance and not get into a top program next year.

 

If you've worked for 4 years out of undergrad, you're probably 26 or so? I don't think that's old at all. Plus w/ the rotational program you'll be a much stronger candidate. I'll be 29 when I start this coming fall.

While it's helpful what others have highlighted (that you CAN get an MBB job) I think it misses the point of just how beneficial that extra year in the rotational program will be for YOU personally and professionally. I would still take Kellogg or Booth, but would consider it a blessing in disguise if you don't get in. You'll be much better off next year.

 

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