Forgoing Tier 2 MBA Sponsorship for MBB- Worth It?

Question for you all for a, uh, friend...

Suppose that a candidate from a strong tier 2 shop (S&O, S&, LEK) plans on going back to b-school in a few years and wants to stay in consulting. If that firm offers tuition reimbursement, do you believe that it would be better to stay on with the firm and forgoe "trading up" to MBB for the $120k savings or to turn it down and try to get into a tier 1 shop?

My thought process so far is that the primary value of MBB over Tier 2 is in work experience and prestige, which would help pre-MBA candidates get into PE and/or H/S/W schools. After an MBA it sounds like neither one is relevant any more- you're not getting into PE after b-school, and you've already completed your MBA.

Further, it seems as if 90% of corp strategy groups have a mix of tier 1 and 2 alums in them (including Google and other top groups), which makes them a viable exit opp. Therefore, assuming you like your firm, there isn't as much value in moving up a tier as there would be in the tuition reimbursement and keeping your network.

Has anyone grappled with this question before? Thought I'd see if I was missing something in my thought process- would love to hear any input either way for my, uh, friend. Thanks!

 
Best Response

Strong argument to stay on, especially if you don't see consulting as your long term play. If you want to stay and make partner, it'd be more lucrative at MBB. But even still, you're giving up a lot of guaranteed dough for a small probability position.

I'd be more curious about the terms on the sponsorship though. Do you HAVE to commit to coming back before you go, or is it an open offer? Might open things up a bit if you can go the MBA program and recruit MBB, then make a decision with an offer in had (or not, which makes it very easy).

 

It's a two year commitment, which isn't too bad from my point of view. Unfortunately you have to commit to coming back before you go- the school knows and wouldn't take kindly to you interviewing with other firms. Seems like a good deal, but not sure how much different/better MBB would be after MBA to give up tuition...

 
Chedge:

It's a two year commitment, which isn't too bad from my point of view. Unfortunately you have to commit to coming back before you go- the school knows and wouldn't take kindly to you interviewing with other firms. Seems like a good deal, but not sure how much different/better MBB would be after MBA to give up tuition...

This is incorrect. Sponsored students are completely allowed to interview elsewhere. It's very common for sponsored consultants to shoot for the moon and aim for PE/Google type of jobs while on campus. You just have to pay back the sponsorship money.

 

I agree with opsdude1. Usually, you commit to come back for two years. But you can still undo deal, you just need to payback the tuition fees to your firm.

I think that you don't need to decide now. Do your MBA and during your MBA you will do the trade off. Taking into account: -How is your cashflow after two years of MBA? -What comp the firm is offering signing bonus, etc..

Doing that you leave your firm only if you are sure that you want to join MBB.

 

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