Hi
I am thinking about doing my MBA at IE. I would like to note that I want to join in the middle east. However I have some questions:
1) Is it a target school for mbb as thats my main goal
2) Will having a referral affect my chances
Hey there,
IE may not necessarily be classified as a target school as such for MBB, but I do know that many students from IE manage to join MBB firms across the world (more particularly McKinsey)
Referrals are a good way to ensure your application gets some level of prioritization when it comes to being reviewed or followed up, however, in my experience they don't do much when it comes to your assessment. In other words, the "bar" does not change for referred candidates vs non-referred candidates. That said, I do recommend you get a referral vs not.
That said, ensure your application reflects lots of achievements and evidence of high performance to ensure that you pass the screening (whether or not you are referred). Then once you pass the screening, your performance in any online tests / Solve and the interviews is what will land you the job!
All the best
Hi!
IE is a strong school, but it’s not traditionally a top target for MBB in the Middle East, where firms tend to prioritize graduates from top-tier schools like INSEAD, LBS, or US Ivy Leagues. That said, IE alumni have successfully joined MBB, especially when they combine strong professional experience, excellent case preparation, and regional fit.
Having a referral can significantly boost your chances, as it helps your application stand out and may fast-track you to interviews. Since I worked at McKinsey full-time and interviewed candidates, I can confirm that networking and a solid referral often make a difference—especially if you’re coming from a less traditional school for the region. Good luck!
Alessa :)
I hold an MBA from IE, which helped me join McKinsey.
Referrals are still important to accelerate the recruiting process, but they don’t necessarily increase your chances.
You can learn more about consulting hiring processes here: MBB Hiring Hacks – Behind the Curtain Secrets.
Best,
Alberto
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