Pamela, 

That's a tough one, but to be honest, from a long-term perspective, all options are great.

Yes, it would make more sense to stay for your promotion and then go in directly as a Senior Associate, but if you have an offer already on the table it also makes sense to take it (especially since if you have experience and perform well compared to other BAs you'll be fast tracked anyway). 

Hmm, if I'd have to choose I'd take the MBB offer and go for an early promotion. 

A couple of materials that should help with your first year in MBB:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Best,
Cristian

Congratulations. 

If I understand correctly you are wondering between taking the offer vs. waiting to be promoted and then apply to a higher level.

Between these two oprtions, I strongly recommend you take the offer for the following reasons:

1. It's hard to get an MBB offer. If you want to be at an MBB… take the opportunity while you can. You may not be successful on your 2nd try.
2. Senior Associate is a post-MBA role. You won't get it with 3 years of non-strategy consulting experience. You will still get the same offer (or maybe a more experienced business analyst role; but still a pre-MBA role).

As such, it is clear to me you should take the offer.

I do understand that you want to get that promotion in your CV, as it will increase your market value. What you should do… it try to negotiate your entry date… to postpone it until you get the promotion factored in. We are talking 3 months here, not one year, so this should be possible.

(edited)

Hi Pamela,

1) Should I take it or wait for my promotion and apply as an Senior Associate in the MBB. 

If you are sure you want to go to MBB, I would take the offer as there are no guarantees you will manage to land a new offer in the future. 

2) I thought my only option was pursuing higher education and I am between a MBA or a MSc. in finance 

I would compare which program leads more people to IB/PE/HF, given that's what you are targeting, and normalize for the cohort size. In general, unless the MSc in Finance you are targeting has a superior track record, I would go for an MBA so that you can join at a higher position. 

Good look!

Francesco