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

Offer for MBA at Non-prestigious

If a consulting firms offers to pay for an MBA, does it HAVE to be at a target or prestigious school? or can you opt to get MBA from wherever? My undergrad has a strong non-prestigious MBA program but I love how they teach and how well their program works. Is this allowed or do they expect you to go hit IVY? 

I'll take the hit on my resume for not have prestigious school name on it vs. going where I want to go

5
3.6k
14
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
on Nov 30, 2023
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

Hi!

It depends from firm to firm, but in McKinsey, for instance, they do expect it to be from a top school. Otherwise, they are unlikely to fund it. 

Sharing with you also a resource on how to think about the MBA school selection process:


Hope you find it useful!
Best,
Cristian

Sidi
Coach
on Mar 02, 2018
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 400+ candidates secure MBB offers

What Bruno said. Additionally I can confirm that the same is true for BCG - there is a list of schools for sponsored MBAs, and any deviation needs to be approved case by case.

Special case in Germany: here consultants mostly opt to do a PhD instead of an MBA - in this case, one is free to choose any fully accredited university with the right to award PhD degrees. This is true for both McK and BCG.

Deleted
Coach
on Mar 02, 2018
NOT AVAILABLE

Hey,

At least in the McKinsey offices I know you have a list of schools from which you can select. If it’s outside that list you need to take your case to a committee to get it approved (which will only occur under exceptional circunstances, eg, personal constraints)

Anyway, to be honest I don’t think your reasoning would be strong enough, as it even shows a bit of ‘narrow vision’

best

Bruno 

Vlad
Coach
edited on Mar 03, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Generally not. Be ready to look for the support of your DGl / Career Counselor. You are in a better position to negotiate if:

  • You are a top / distinctive performer
  • You have the partners who will support you
  • You have a strong DGl / Career Counselor
  • You have a good reasoning (e.g. wife pursuing the same MBA)

Best!

Clara
Coach
on Nov 18, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

You can choose whatever, but why choosing a non target school when it´s paid?

Good luck!

Similar Questions
Consulting
mim/mba admissions
on Jul 29, 2024
Global
8
1.7k
Top answer by
Anonymous
34
8 Answers
1.7k Views
+5
Consulting
Is GRE / GMAT needed for MBB? I got into the MBA (esade) without one using their in-house test, but I am wondering if I should focus on it?
on Apr 15, 2025
Global
11
500+
Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (6 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
19
11 Answers
500+ Views
+8
Consulting
Consulting or MBA - Which route would increase my chances to get into a Restructuring Shop.my chances of getting into a restructuring focused shop.
on Apr 18, 2025
Global
10
200+
Top answer by
Daniel
Coach
Ex-McKinsey, Bain & Kearney | 5+ yrs consulting, coaching & interviewing | 95%+ candidate success
20
10 Answers
200+ Views
+7
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.