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MBB MBA Sponsorship

MBA MBB
New answer on Dec 27, 2022
7 Answers
3.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Nov 21, 2022

Hi I would like to know how does MBA sponsorship works at MBB? Is everyone eligible after a certain length of service and what is the selection criteria?

Also if we get sponsorship while in Office A (e.g., Asia), can we request to switch to Office B (e.g., Europe) after finishing our MBA?

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Rushabh
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 21, 2022
Limited Availability | BCG Expert | Middle East Expert | 100+ Mocks Delivered | IESE & NYU MBA | Ex-KPMG Dxb Consultant

Hello,

Here are my thoughts from my experience at B-School seeing my colleagues who were sponsored from MBB:

Part A: How does sponsorship work?

1- You certainly need to be a top performer to be able to receive financial support from the firm with a return offer. Typically you would have to work in the firm for about 2 years minimum (e.g. join as an Associate, do your tenure, and get sponsored for an MBA to return back as a Consultant).

2- There will definitely be a contract where you MAY be allowed to work at another company during your summer internship but you HAVE TO come back to the sponsored firm for a set duration of time after the MBA (typically 2+ years) or else you would have to pay back the financial component and risk damaging relationships.

Part B: Switching offices?

1- Its usually difficult. The sponsoring firm and office cares about your personal and professional development and would ideally like to reap the benefits of that through your continued tenure at the firm after your MBA

2- However, in exceptional circumstances (e.g. your partner lives elsewhere), they may allow you to transfer, albeit not immediately. I do not think leveraging another MBB offer from another office would always help. 

3- You would also want to maintain positive relationships at your home office and may not be worth to burn bridges.

All the best!

Rushabh

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Eli
Expert
replied on Nov 21, 2022
McKinsey New York | Yale graduate | 100+ interviews | Rated Distinctive (top 3% of consultants) in every review cycle

Here's how it works for McKinsey, at least in North America:

Any consultant in good standing is eligible for MBA sponsorship (90% of your cohort will qualify). The sponsorship is available after a year or two of service, and offices are generally quite flexible about your matriculation date.

The sponsorship works in one of two ways: either McK will directly pay for your sponsorship, or they'll loan you the money. One of these options is significantly better because it helps you avoid the tax burden associated with ~$250k of education credit being counted as income. Both options are generally available to BAs, and both require you to return for two years.

Transferring between offices is certainly possible but requires a bit of networking & politics. Your home office will provide you with the offer to return, but it's not too hard to transfer before you return. Your success is dependent on (1) your reviews and (2) having partners in your destination office that vouch for you. Both factors are within your control, and as a BA you should be deliberate about building a network in your target office.

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Nicolas
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updated an answer on Nov 25, 2022
40% off 1st coaching Promo | #1 MBB Coach Canada & MENA | 8y+ Coaching & recruiting | BCG + Senior Exec | INSEAD MBA

Hello! 
 

Anyone can ask for a study break to do an MBA. To get sponsorship, your request will go to the career committee for approval so you need to make sure you are in the top performers and in good standing.
 

Yes you can ask to transfer to another office post MBA. It is typically branded as a temporary transfer but after some time in your new office you can ask to make it permanent. 

Typically you can ask after 12/18 months depending on your MBA start date (minimum 24 months of professional experience required in general). 

Good luck with the process! 
Cheers - Nicolas Vilmin 

 

(edited)

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Lucie
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updated an answer on Nov 22, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there, 

MBA sponsorship is available only for the top performers (my guess is up to 30% of A/Cs), not for all and there are yet many factors to be considered (e.g. budget per office, etc.). 

Switching offices is probably possible, but this will be case based and I would not rely on it. 

Good luck!

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(edited)

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Udayan
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Content Creator
updated an answer on Dec 27, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Hi,

 

At McKinsey the following rule applied for NA offices

  • Need to be a strong performer (rating of at least strong) - this does not only apply to top performers, most BAs have rating of strong and over. 
  • Need to commit to 2 years post MBA at McK
  • Requirement to intern with McKinsey in the summer

As for office transfer - yes you can switch offices (many do) and usually sponsorship will also transfer in that instance, but this tends to be more case by case.

Best,

Udayan

(edited)

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Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Nov 22, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

When you start at MBB just ask! There are so many internal resources + people that will give you full details.

In general, you can be sponsored by being a top performer. You need to be there for a few years and submit an application (with backing from past managers). Once at the MBA you are obliged to return to the office that sponsored you (however, you may be able to ultimately switch and do a temp transfer etc.)

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Maikol
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 21, 2022
BCG Project Leader | Former Bain, AlixPartner, and PE | INSEAD MBA | GMAT 780

Sponsorships are possible for 30-40% of the BAs.
Moving to another office after you have a sponsorship is quite unlikely but still possible. 
 

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