Should I apply for MBA programmes?

I am currently an international (American) student finishing my UG at a top tier UK school in Politics, either with a 1st or high 2.1 classification. Have experience in private equity (large AM), VC and have summer & FT offers for BB banks in markets in Ldn. Am very happy with my current prospects, but recently was lucky enough to get through to first round interviews at a MBB firm. I wasn't thinking about getting an MBA before, but the whole recruitment process at the MBB highlighted a 'long term' plan for me and I'm now thinking I'd like to work in banking for a few years and make a transition into management consulting.

I know how competitive and pricey top tier grad schools are (thinking HBS, Wharton, Stanford etc.). Therefore I'm wondering whether it would be worth it to apply to an MBA (a programme like HBS's 2+2 would be a pretty good fit for those aspirations) to get into a MBB, or should I just prep better (hire a tutor, attend a course, something similar) and apply to the MBBs next cycle?

Note I didn't even know consulting case studies were a thing until a week before my MBB interview, so I've barely done any prep in comparison to other candidates.

I guess what I'm saying is: is a MBA worth it to get an offer at a MBB, or would I be better off seriously prepping for the next MBB recruitment cycle and try to make it in with credentials as is?

 
Most Helpful

Congrats on your solid undergrad performance and FT offers! If MBB is your goal, it might make sense for you to leverage your school and internship experiences to date and apply to HBS 2+2 and other deferred entry programs (Stanford GSB and Darden come to mind). Getting accepted to one of these programs in the spring isn't going to get you to an MBB offer next year. All of these schools expect that you will get 2-4 years of work experience in advance of starting your MBA. Coming out of these programs you would be well positioned to land a position at MBB.

Have you taken your GMAT or GRE yet? What sorts of leadership experience do you have?

Susan Cera Director of MBA Admissions Stratus Admissions Counseling - www.stratusadmissions.com FREE Profile Evaluation - www.stratusadmissions.com/consult
 

Qui quisquam aspernatur recusandae odio esse ut. Quasi unde aspernatur itaque quis in. Esse nostrum ipsam qui minus occaecati eum.

Dolorem praesentium odit qui quibusdam id eum voluptatem ad. Iste harum error sequi. Corrupti inventore doloribus modi porro temporibus qui. Ea iure quia ducimus unde ut natus nam.

Ut quisquam unde necessitatibus necessitatibus deleniti quia. Autem non voluptas in eveniet ut iste quo. Quam quo et aut ab architecto. Aliquam eligendi quae dolorem ipsum nulla alias. Delectus rem quae hic modi numquam harum.

Alias tempore voluptatem ullam sit. Quod consequatur corporis vel eveniet. Quibusdam quam tempore doloribus. Sit suscipit sunt vero optio nisi.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”