Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 448,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

MSBA UCLA for Management Consulting

analytics and Bain Bain BCG business analyst Master MBB McKinsey non-MBA The Boston Consulting Group
New answer on Jun 20, 2021
3 Answers
1.6 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jun 19, 2021

Hi everyone,

I want to pursue a career in management consulting and am currently deciding wether or not to enroll in a Master in Business Analytics (I can't pursue an MBA now, because of missing full-time experience, but would consider to pursue an MBA degree in a couple of years).  My ultimate career goal is to land a job at MBB, however, Strategy&, Parthenon etc. are also great options I would be more than satisfied with. 

My profile:

  • Male in early twenties from Germany (it's usual in Germany to pursue a Masters degree before joying a management consultancy)
  • Strong undergraduate (GPA conversion to US Scale 4.0/4.0) in Economics and Business Administration from a German target university
  • GMAT Score 720
  • Internships: Inhouse Consulting (Digital Transformation) for the largest European Bank; Inhouse Consulting (Top Management/Strategy) for world's largest FMCG company; Accenture Technology Strategy Consulting

My question is:

Should I enroll in the MS in Business Analytics at UCLA ? I am definitely highly interested in Data Science and related skills, but don't want to pursue a pure data science career. One of the biggest advantages is that the MS comes with a 3 year working visa for the US. I always wanted to work in the states, especially in California. As far as I can tell, most of alumni from MSBA at UCLA pursue careers in Data Science now. Some at consultancies like BCG Gamma, however, I am interested in their generalist track.

Another option I have is a Master in Management at London Business School which places quite good into consulting at MBB. However, I would not have the option to live in the states which I always dreamed of.

THANK YOU so much for your help!!! Best regards!

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 20, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Hi,

To add to the answers here

Regarding degree options

  • Do not pursue and Masters in Business Analytics for MBB. I have coached so many people who choose that degree and then try to make it into consulting and it is definitely NOT a recommended route. This degree is good if you want to go into analytics not as an entryway to consulting. You will spend so much money on it as well it is just not a good tradeoff given your goal
  • The LBS degree might be a little better to get into MBB

Getting into the US

  • I am very familiar with the US visa process and I can tell you it is a complete pain to get here. The easiest option is to study and get a 3 year OPT but that is very expensive. Note that almost ALL top MBA programs know this and offer courses that let you qualify as a STEM candidate and get the same 3 year OPT
  • If you want to get here without a degree, join MBB in the country you are eligible to work in and transfer in 2 years. It gives you the same timeline as your degree and you will instead make money vs spending it on a degree you may not use

Overall - I do not think you need a masters to get into MBB, network your way in and then move to US using an L1 visa

Udayan

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 20, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

It seems no option is directly linked to all your goals:

  1. UCLA ⮕ In US but not direct link to MBB generalist path
  2. LBS ⮕ Direct path to MBB but not in the US

Would you be able to target a MIM in the US from an MBB target school? That would meet all your goals.

Between only the previous options, long-term LBS should help more (you may be able to relocate to the US at some point). You may also consider applying directly to MBB after undergrad if applicable in your target country.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jun 19, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

If you are looking to optimize for generalist consulting at MBB, a Masters in Data Analytics is not a great route. You are indeed right in thinking that you would end up at BCG GAMMA or McKinsey Black (both are great, but not generalist).

A MiM at LBS would be a more direct path.

Was this answer helpful?
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely