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Deferring MBB start date

Does anyone have experience deferring their offer from MBB for more than 12 months? recently received an offer but also received an opportunity to pursue a one year masters degree, which means I would not be able to join until summer of 2024. Is there a way to present this to HR or will I need to reapply?  TIA. 

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Top answer
on Nov 10, 2022
#1 rated McKinsey Coach | top MBB coach

Hi there, 

Yes. I would suggest you reach out to HR and be transparent about the situation. They will likely accommodate it if you show your motivation for the academic program and you assure them that you will return to them upon graduation. 

Best,

Cristian

Ian
Coach
on Nov 10, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Yes, this is do-able depending on the situation! The best thing you can do is get on a call with HR and explain the situation.

Good luck!

on Nov 10, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Congratulations on the offer! In terms of your question:

Q: Does anyone have experience deferring their offer from MBB for more than 12 months?

This should be possible. I actually helped a candidate who had the starting date planned more than 1 year after the offer (for McKinsey). That was due to the fact he had to finish his PhD.

I recommend to reach out to HR and verify with them.

Best,

Francesco

Florian
Coach
on Nov 10, 2022
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi there,

Congrats! Amazing :-)

If you have a good reason, that is usually not a problem. 

  1. Generally, MBB offers are valid for 12 months and there is a lot of flexibility
  2. Once you made it past the tedious screening and got an offer, they are also very accommodating
  3. As a result, it is usually possible to extend this 12-month deadline by a bit (especially if you have a proper reason, which will also benefit the firm!)

Approach HR and discuss it with them transparently and you will find a solution

All the best!

Cheers,

Florian

Deleted user
on Nov 10, 2022

Hi there,

just reach out to HR - I can tell you from my own experience (i.e. got an offer to MBB in the first semester of Master and needed to finish studies, so started 1,5 years later) that this was no problem at all.

Just be transparent on your plans. Typically, the offer is valid 12 months as already been said.

8
Udayan
Coach
on Nov 10, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Yes - HR will help you, but especially for reasons related to academics it is usually not a problem at all. In fact given that everyone thinks we are headed into a recession it will probably be an easy yes too.

Mario
Coach
on Nov 13, 2022
Ex-Mckinsey (analyst->associate->manager) and now in tech (Bytedance) + Part time interview coach and mentor

Hi there,

 

There is clearly an interest in having you from their end, and from your end, in joining them. That said, I don't see any reason why they wouldn't accomodate the request if it's positioned politely, transparently and clearly.

 

Mario

Emily
Coach
on Nov 13, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

Congratulations on the offer! 

I recommend speaking with HR - there are plenty of examples of times when people have deferred their offers. Whether it's possible or not will depend on the number of posts that the firm needs to fill and how many people they have given offers to. Be honest in why you want to postpone and see what they say. 

Good luck!

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