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1) Can I get scholarship from business schools AND sponsorship from McKinsey? I want to return post MBA, but don't want to have the burden of a full tuition loan to pay off in case I decide not to return.
2) Can I change track post MBA or do I have to join as associate? for family reasons I would highly prefer not to travel as much, but that will be hard to avoid as an associate.
3) if the firm decides to let me go because of poor performance before I manage to stay long enough to "pay off" the sponsorship, do I have to pay back the remaining amount to the firm?
1) Can I get scholarship from business schools AND sponsorship from McKinsey? I want to return post MBA, but don't want to have the burden of a full tuition loan to pay off in case I decide not to return.
2) Can I change track post MBA or do I have to join as associate? for family reasons I would highly prefer not to travel as much, but that will be hard to avoid as an associate.
3) if the firm decides to let me go because of poor performance before I manage to stay long enough to "pay off" the sponsorship, do I have to pay back the remaining amount to the firm?
Let me share my experience - please note that the contracts by office might be quite significantly different though:
1) I haven't heard of anyone who had a partial funding by McKinsey (most likely because those who apply to MBAs with company sponsorship are not even considered for scholarships), but I believe it is a matter of personal negotiation, so might be worth discussing it with your office manager.
2) No, typically 2 full post-b-school years have to be spent as a generalist consultant. You can delay or pause the 2 years to go on a rotation/secondment/leave/maternity etc., but you have to have 2 years of generalist consulting tenure in total post MBA.
3) Not sure about this, my hunch would be yes, you'd have to pay back the amount (or at least part of it, depending on how much you have worked post MBA already). Again, there is always room for personal negotiations. I believe the company will always aim for finding a mutually acceptable solution rather than going to court.
I hope it helps!
Best,
Réka
Hi Anonymous,
Let me share my experience - please note that the contracts by office might be quite significantly different though:
1) I haven't heard of anyone who had a partial funding by McKinsey (most likely because those who apply to MBAs with company sponsorship are not even considered for scholarships), but I believe it is a matter of personal negotiation, so might be worth discussing it with your office manager.
2) No, typically 2 full post-b-school years have to be spent as a generalist consultant. You can delay or pause the 2 years to go on a rotation/secondment/leave/maternity etc., but you have to have 2 years of generalist consulting tenure in total post MBA.
3) Not sure about this, my hunch would be yes, you'd have to pay back the amount (or at least part of it, depending on how much you have worked post MBA already). Again, there is always room for personal negotiations. I believe the company will always aim for finding a mutually acceptable solution rather than going to court.
First, I don't know anyone who went to McKinsey from MBA and received tuition reimbursement. This isn't a thing at McKinsey as far as I'm aware. Furthermore, even the companies that do do this (such as Deloitte), only do so for the 2nd year.
Secondly, when/if this is included in the offer, you have to prove that you paid full tuition. They do not re-imburse tuition if you didn't pay tuition!
2) I'm sorry but, you cannot avoid travel at MBB. It doesn't matter your role. So, before going in, have the full expectation that you will travel Mon-Thurs every week of the year. Furthermore, if you're recruiting from MBA, your role will be Associate (or possibly higher). You cannot come in as BA
3) You 100% have to pay back the full amount. Signing bonuses are normally for 2 years and you have to pay back the full amount if you leave the company for any reason. Sometimes contracts allow for 1 year vesting of the offer...I highly encourage everyone to work towards this in negotiations.
1) This seems highly unlikely for 2 reasons.
First, I don't know anyone who went to McKinsey from MBA and received tuition reimbursement. This isn't a thing at McKinsey as far as I'm aware. Furthermore, even the companies that do do this (such as Deloitte), only do so for the 2nd year.
Secondly, when/if this is included in the offer, you have to prove that you paid full tuition. They do not re-imburse tuition if you didn't pay tuition!
2) I'm sorry but, you cannot avoid travel at MBB. It doesn't matter your role. So, before going in, have the full expectation that you will travel Mon-Thurs every week of the year. Furthermore, if you're recruiting from MBA, your role will be Associate (or possibly higher). You cannot come in as BA
3) You 100% have to pay back the full amount. Signing bonuses are normally for 2 years and you have to pay back the full amount if you leave the company for any reason. Sometimes contracts allow for 1 year vesting of the offer...I highly encourage everyone to work towards this in negotiations.
MBB Final Round Case - Smart EducationOur client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvantaged areas.
The client is considering starting operations for its services in the Chicago area. They hired us to understand if that makes sense. Due to the nonprofit regulation, SmartBridge should operate on its own in the market, without any partnership.
How would you help our client?
Our client is SmartBridge, a nonprofit educational institution offering face-to-face tutoring services. The client operates in the US.
The mission of SmartBridge is to help as many students as possible to complete studies and prevent that they drop from the school system, in particular in disadvant ... Open whole case
Espresso, Whatelse?Espresso Whatelse is an Italian company that produces coffee and espresso machines since 1908. It is the Italian market leader and has a strong presence overall in Europe. In 2019, Espresso Whatelse has increased its revenues but it has seen declining profit margin.
Your client wants to understand the root causes of this 2019 trend and how to increase its profit margin again.
Espresso Whatelse is an Italian company that produces coffee and espresso machines since 1908. It is the Italian market leader and has a strong presence overall in Europe. In 2019, Espresso Whatelse has increased its revenues but it has seen declining profit margin.
Your client wants to understand ... Open whole case
Imbellus Test at McKinsey – Guide by Luca 
McKinsey Imbellus Game Secrets by Francesco 
