Hi there,

Basically, in difficult times, the best strategy is to diversify. 

This way, at least SOMETHING will work out. 

So in short, do everything that you mentioned (aside from the last point which is a very different direction). 

Realistically, as long as you prepare MBA applications, you can use the same content for the MSBA application. If you're planning on applying for consulting roles, you might as well give it a go now already - even if it doesn't work out, you'll still get a priceless lesson from the process. 

In short, get going, get in action mode and start placing your bets rather than spending a lot of energy on which single one to go for. 

Sharing with you a guide on how to put together a diversified application strategy:

• Free Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

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(edited)

Hi there,

thanks for sharing - happy to share some thoughts.

1. MBA Option - with 1 year of work experience, you'll find it hard getting into most programs. To have a realistic chance, would have at least 1-2 more years of work experience
2. MBB Application - with your current profile, you may have a chance, so suggest you try now, and if it doesn't work out, can try again at a later stage, e.g. post-MBA. Not really any harm done if it doesn't work immediately.
3. MSBA Option - the placement rates from such programs would be significantly lower than from fully-fledged MBA programs, so don't suggest that route as I don't really sa
4. Work authorization - would not worry too much about that for now. If you qualify for an MBB while you still have work authorization, the visa situation will be fairly easy to sort out anyways. For now you should be fine.

Hope this helps. Feel free tor reach out and share your CV, if you'd like to have more specified advice based on your exact profile.

Regards, Andi

Hi there,

Q: What would be the best course of action? 

I would recommend the following:

1. Apply for consulting now without MBA (option #4).
2. If that doesn’t work, apply for a top MBA this year and apply for consulting again after it (option #1).
3. If you don’t get a satisfactory MBA admission, repeat the previous steps next year (option #2 and/or option #4).

I don’t see reasons to do a MSBA instead of an MBA (option #3) given your goals and moving back home (option #5) is not really an option from what you shared.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hello,

Remember that the options that you laid out are not mutually exclusive! You can apply now, and if something doesn’t work out, apply again in a year, and so on. So, generally speaking, I agree with the strategy Francesco recommended here. Apply now, if that doesn’t work out try for an MBA, and if that doesn’t work out, try again next year. 

I would just add here that you should be judicious with the schools you apply to the first year if you think there’s realistically a decent chance you’ll need to reapply the next year – you don’t want to get an MBA offer, reject it because you think you can get into a better school next year, and then apply to that school again.

Also, not having a lot of work experience is not a barrier for entering consulting. All that that would determine is the role you are going to be applying for – e.g., with 2 years of work experience, you are probably looking at an Analyst/Senior Analyst position.

Great answer from Benjamin - second it