Leaving MBB after 1.5 years for Harvard

Hi! Congratulations!

As most have answered, deferring would give you a bit of a leg up if you can do so without issue. You would likely be up for a promotion, which will look fantastic. However, considering the economy today, you will want to verify that your position with Harvard would be securely locked in if you did defer - 1.5 years at MBB is nothing to sneeze at either, and definitely won't be a non-starter for most companies. If Harvard's answer is a 'maybe', then you'll need to weigh the risks.

If you are able to defer and you stay for the standard ~2 years at MBB instead of 2.5, you can also take a few months off to reset and explore different things before diving into another highly intense environment!

Congrats, first of all! 

If I had to choose, I would probably stay for another year at the MBB before leaving. 

Why? Because typically the 2 year mark is when most employers or anybody who reads your CV considers you've absorbed the 'consulting toolkit.' 

It will be easier to find jobs and opportunities afterwards.

Still, I think that with an MBB background and a Harvard diploma it will be easy to get jobs anyway, so don't feel restricted by this. If it feels right to go now, go for it. 

It also depends on whether or not you'd want to return to this MBB. If yes, you could also consider discussing with them to freeze your role there so you could come back after the degree.

Good luck!
Best,
Cristian

If you already have your master’s admit, your decision should depend on two things: (1) what you want to gain from the degree, and (2) how clear you are on your post-master’s goals.

If consulting is your target, consider deferring your admit to build your consulting profile first—strengthen your experience, develop relationships with the firm, and even explore whether they can partially sponsor your degree.

If you go ahead with the master’s now, be smart about it: maintain strong ties with your current office, leave on good terms, and position yourself as a respected alumnus who can still leverage firm relationships. After your degree, you’ll have another shot at MBB or other top firms.

In short—don’t focus on “looking good from the outside.” Focus on strategic moves that make you valuable regardless.

Hi there,

Congrats on the scholarship – that’s an incredible opportunity. To your question: leaving after 1.5 years won’t harm your profile. You already have the MBB stamp on your CV, and the fact that you’re leaving for Harvard Kennedy with full funding is a strong, positive reason. No one will interpret it as “not lasting” in consulting.

Deferring for 2.5 years could add value if you want to stay in consulting long term or secure a promotion before leaving. But if your medium-term goal is policy, public sector, or international organizations, going earlier makes sense – you’ll enter that world sooner, with more time to build networks.

So it depends on your priorities:

• Stay longer → more consulting credentials, possibly higher exit role.
• Go now → start policy career earlier, and the HKS credential already carries significant weight.

Either way, your profile will be very strong – there’s no “negative” in leaving at 1.5 years given the reason

Best,

Evelina

I would suggest staying on for the extra year - you will likely get promoted and that can give you a leg-up in post-Harvard job prospects.

Plus the extra year will also help you become a better consultant and you will likely perform better in whatever MPP (and its relevant jobs) throw at you.

And finally, the extra year will help you figure out your life & work plan after the MPP with lot more clarity - maybe you decide to not pursue the MPP after the 1-year wait and carry-on in consulting - who knows?

2.5 years would look better than 1.5 years - yes, somewhat.

1.5 years would look worse than 2.5 years - no, not as much as you think.

In either case, you need to have a rock-solid personal storyline and rationale to have chosen what you will choose.

Hi there, 

If you have the option to postpone it, do it. This way you get the best of both worlds.

Best,

Mari