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MIM with full ride scholarship or MBA?

master in management MBA MBB
New answer on Nov 30, 2023
9 Answers
1.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Apr 10, 2021

Hi,

I am a final year undergraduate student in engineering. I'd like to get into MBB consulting. I have a chance to get a full ride government scholarship. However, the scholarship organisation clearly stated they won't aid for an MBA. I've already received a response that they are willing to fund other business management degrees. That's why I am looking for MIM programmes. I would also have a chance to growing my network via this scholarship (they would set me up in a close-knit group of about 100 people). My options are limited to 3 reputable universities:

1. MPS in management Cornell, US

2. MSc Management UCL, UK

3. MMS Duke, US

Should I take my scholarship? or decline it and pursue an MBA later on?

(Actually for Cornell, they state on their website that the MPS programme could be a pathway to their 1-year MBA programme. I think it would be redundant.)

Thanks!

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 11, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

If your goal is MBB, I would recommend the following:

  1. Apply to MBB after undergrad if applicable (in some countries you need a Master to apply)
  2. If rejected, go for the fully-paid MIM (choose the option where you see more alumni in MBB, pro quota on the size of the batch). Then apply again to MBB
  3. If rejected again, work for a backup option for 2-3 years, do an MBA and apply again after that

Best,

Francesco

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Anonymous A on Apr 13, 2021

Thank you for your response. To put it into context, I come from a developing southeast asia country. After my undergraduate, I would be accepted as a project specialist at BCG or a consulting analyst at McKinsey. I even have absolutely zero chance to get into Bain.

(edited)

Ian
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Content Creator
replied on Apr 10, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Hard for me to say exactly what you should do without knowing you and your full situation better.

That said, if it were me, I would personally take a full-ride MiM and never look back. I would also no write off Cornell's MBA pathway...a 1-year MBA (instead of the standard US 2-year) paired with a MiM could be great.

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Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Apr 12, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I would take it if you have the chance, even if you think that content wise is going to be a bit redundant, you are going to find so much learning beyond the pure masters content.

My priority would be 1>3>2, for the programs and the university´s prestige.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Denis
Expert
replied on Apr 11, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

2 options:

(1) do the MIM now and the MBA later - quite common to see people do a regular Master's and a couple of years later a MBA (although I would not do it).

(2) dont do the MIM and the MBA if you can expect to end up at a top-10 program. MBA will give you more flexibility, higher pay, and larger network / reputation.

Best,
Denis

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Cristian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 30, 2023
#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi!

I've put together a thinking framework to work through this sort of decision:

Hope you will find it helpful. 

At the end of the day, it comes down to what you see yourself as doing many, many years from now and which of these options you believe is able to bring you closer to it. 

Needless to say, all of this happens with imperfect information, but most of the time, once the goal becomes clear, so does the way. 

Best,
Cristian 

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Anonymous B replied on Apr 12, 2021

I'll take the scholarship, get into MBB after graduation from MiM, and study for 1-year MBA with MBB sponsorship after gaining decent work experience. I'll apply to different business schools (i.e., INSEAD).

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Anonymous C replied on Apr 14, 2021
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Adi
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Content Creator
replied on Apr 11, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Yep, I agree with Ian here!

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Apr 12, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Sorry I have to disagree with others. NONE of these are feeder programs for MBB, you can still do them for the knowledge and other advantages but you will not find them helpful to enter MBB compared to a traditional MBA program. I have many students who did these types of courses from top schools and were then struggling to make it into consulting. There are plenty of other options of course that may be open to you but purely from an MBB recruiting perspective these are not ideal.

Udayan

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Anonymous A on Apr 13, 2021

Thank you for your response. I understand that none of these programs are feeders for MBB in the US and UK, perhaps other countries as well. However, to put it into context, I came from a developing southeast asia country. After my undergraduate, I would be accepted as a project specialist at BCG or a consulting analyst at McKinsey. I even have absolutely zero chance to get into Bain.

(edited)

Udayan on Apr 13, 2021

Got it, if you have done your research and these programs would help then by all means go for it. All the best!

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