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!

My McK office doesn't sponsor MBAs

MBA MBB MBB Consulting McKinsey
New answer on Jul 14, 2020
5 Answers
1.9 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jul 12, 2020

I recently accepted an offer at McK for an entry level undergrad position and although I am very excited to join there is something that is bothering me - I spoke to an EM at the firm and I asked him about the MBA sponsorship and he said this particular McK office does not sponsor MBA and instead they offer direct to associate promotion. I had planned to get my MBA sponsored and then return to McK because why not but that doesn't seem like an option anymore. What do you recommend I do?

Should I quit when I get promoted to associate and apply to another McK office elsewhere and ask them to sponsor my MBA - I know that applying as a fresh candidate will perhaps decrease my chances of recruitment as opposed to a transfer.

I really want to do my MBA and get it sponsored because it is expensive and also because sponsorship is a standard MBB/McK practice so why should it be different for me. What other options do I have?

Thank you community for your help!

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 12, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,According to my experience close to everything is possible for those consultants who are clear outperformers. Even if there is no official MBA sponsorshop from a certain office, it doesn't mean you can't get one. But first you need to prove your value to the firm, and once that is cleared you can easily raise this discussion again.

That actually also applies for office transfers - possible for those consultants who are clearly above average.

Quitting doesn't make sense at all - that would be the last option to take.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind and give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Hi Robert, you're right. Anything is possible if one performs well enough and that I should work hard and earn the right to have that discussion atleast

Anonymous replied on Jul 12, 2020

Hi Anonymous - congrats on the offer!

You have three options really:

1) If you maintain strong to distinctive ratings - you could ask your office to sponsor you. But you can only initiate this conversation after you have been in your role for at least a year. Also speak to a Partner as they have a broader perspective than an EM

2) Transfer to another office that offers MBA sponsorship as a BA. To do this you will need to maintain above average and ideally distinctive ratings. You will most likely need to do 3 years as a BA. 2 in your current office and 1 in the new office. This is how a lot of my friends got their MBAs sponsored

2) Leave McKinsey after 2-3 years and pay for your MBA through student loans. If you go to one of the top colleges - you are not likely to have issues with repayment

What you absolutely must not do is quit your office and then apply to a different office. There is absolutely nothing to gain from being a fresh candidate. In fact it will make re-joining much harder

Was this answer helpful?
5
Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Thank you so much for your reply! I like the first two options and I think that's what I'll do. Student loans scare me! But you're right, top colleges would offer scholarships particularly if one has good work experience esp at an MBB

Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 13, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats on the offer!

Could you please share which office we are talking about? I have never heard that they have this a-priori rule of "we don´t sponsor anyone"

HOnestly, with the times we are living, I would not reject this offer.

I would then try to either get an exception by really being a top performer and, if not, transfering to another office.

However, 1st step is always kick off, give your best, and then re-asses. Mybe your priorities about MBA change in that time, I met so many people like this!

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Hi Clara, the office in question is McKinsey Pakistan and the usual trend is that most consultants get promoted to associate or leave and that the firm hasn't offered to sponsor anyone's MBA. However I do agree with all of you that if I perform well enough I can maybe bring up the discussion with a partner or perhaps look into a transfer

Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
updated an answer on Jul 13, 2020
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

I think you forgot the question ;) If you want to add it we are happy to help.

-----

EDIT. Adding on now that you have added the question. I would consider the following options to get sponsorship:

  1. Look for an exception in your case at your current McK office. If you distinguish yourself, you may be able to get a sponsorship anyway.
  2. Transfer to a different McK office that provides sponsorships.
  3. Transfer to another MBB that provides sponsorship.

I agree with the other comments that quitting without a transfer doesn’t make sense.

Also, keep in mind that an MBA may not even be worth for some exits (eg if you want to become an entrepreneur).

Best,

Francesco

(edited)

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous on Jul 12, 2020

Thank you for pointing that out :) I've updated it

(edited)

Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Hi Francesco, thanks for the answer - is it possible to transfer between MBBs?

Francesco on Jul 14, 2020

Hi there, yes, you can transfer to another MBB - I know a good number of people who did so. Best, Francesco

Anonymous replied on Jul 14, 2020

Dear A,

I think you have different options on this way:

First - you can try to make a transfer. but take into account that with this you need to become a top performer and office transfer is possible just only after 18-24 monthes with McKinsey. Then transfer to the office, which provides MBA sponsorship

Second option which is most of this - try to get another job with another company which sponsors MBA, may be Bain, BCG, Roland Berger, Strategy&. Policy in companies regarding MBA sponsorship in your region may vary.

If this is not the the case, I would recommend you to change the geography, btw what is the office you're talking about?

For further questions, reach out.

Best,

André

Was this answer helpful?
0
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