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
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
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.
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
Hello!
You can choose whatever, but why choosing a non target school when it´s paid?
Good luck!
Hi,
Generally not. Be ready to look for the support of your DGl / Career Counselor. You are in a better position to negotiate if:
Best!
(edited)
