MIM with full ride scholarship or MBA?

Question

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!

Answer 1

Hi there,

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

Apply to MBB after undergrad if applicable (in some countries you need a Master to apply)
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
If rejected again, work for a backup option for 2-3 years, do an MBA and apply again after that

Best,

Francesco

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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

Answer 5

Hi!

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

Expert Guide: Are MBAs worth it?

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

Answer 6

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).

Answer 7

Yep, I agree with Ian here!

Answer 8

BCG is actively recruiting from MSc in Management. I think you should take it.

https://www.bcg.com/careers/students/bachelors-masters/masters-talent-network

https://web-assets.bcg.com/c7/19/18d29e4345a58c6f90d06bf00fd3/mtn-wttg-brochure.pdf

Answer 9

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