Doing MBA at insead

Hi there, 

While I am in general a fan of more work experience over more school, I think in your case if an MBA and then MBB would be on your career wishlist, it might be a good idea to take the opportunity now. 

At the MBA you will still get the chance to learn so much from your peers (with more work experience) and get the benefits of the structured recruiting. 

One thing that you should keep in mind though is the level on which, if successful, you would be placed for MBB, post-MBA. With the assumption that MBAs typically have a few years of experience, they usually get Consultant / Associate positions (BCG / McK), which they might feel is too senior for your experience level. 

On the other side, if Insead considered your application strong enough to offer you a spot, I am expecting there is more there than just your one year of work experience. In any case, if you do take this route, make sure to max out on the internship opportunities to beef up your work experience as much as possible (with relevant opportunities!). 

Best of luck, 

Ariadna 

Hey there, 

Whilst an MBA at Insead would be helpful to your resume in applying to MBB or Tier 2, you could still apply there directly from Big 4 provided you work on gaining meaningful experience, achievements and performance. 

So think about other reasons for why you'd want to do the MBA and what you'd want to get out of it. If for example you're thinking about expanding your opportunity set beyond just MBB or Tier 2, learning more about business skills and leadership, etc. - then sure, it would be a great opportunity.

All the best 

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the MBA offer from INSEAD!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, if you want to apply to other consulting firms as a short- to medium-term career goal, I wonder if you have already done so and if so, what the result was. Maybe you don't even need an MBA.
• Moreover, and contrary to what other coaches have said, your post-MBA consulting role will mostly depend on the MBA itself and not on your tenure. So I wouldn't worry too much about how many years of work experience you had before your MBA.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

I invite you to look at this opportunity differently.

Why do you want to do an MBA at INSEAD? What career paths do you want to open (or close) in the future?

Only after answering these questions can you truly assess if this is the right move.

I strongly advise against making such a significant decision without a clear intention. For example, an INSEAD MBA won’t necessarily make a difference if you’re trying to access MBB with just one year of experience.

Best,

Alberto

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Explore my latest case inspired by a real MBB interview: Chic & Stitch - Fashion Market Expansion

Congratulations on your INSEAD opportunity! Your decision depends on your long-term goals and readiness. Doing the MBA now gives you access to MBB/tier 2 recruitment early, leveraging INSEAD's brand and network, but you might face more competition from peers with 4-6 years of experience. Waiting to gain 2-3 years more experience (preferably in consulting or relevant roles) could strengthen your profile, making you a more competitive candidate and providing more clarity on your career goals. If you're confident you can make the most of INSEAD's resources and secure a consulting role post-MBA, it’s worth considering now—especially as the opportunity might not arise again.

Alessa

Hi there,

It depends on your long-term goals but if you aim for a pivot to MBB, PE, IB, or even other industries an MBA at INSEAD is a great way that will set you up for success. :-)

Cheers,

Florian