Transitioning to Management Consulting
I'm trying to get into strategy consulting at a top firm. I'm really looking for feedback in regards to my plan. I understand this might seem lofty to many and my success will depend greatly on my intrinsic abilities and dedication from here. However, it's something I want to aim for.
My goal: To get hired as an Associate Strategy Consultant at a bigger firm for broader experience, such as: McKinsey, Bain, KPMG, Accenture.
Background:
UG: Texas at Dallas - Marketing 3.4
Location: NYC
Career: Marketing Coordinator (mid-market media company) to Marketing Automation Manager (small software company). Currently, interviewing for a pre-sales consultant at a Forbes 100 tech firm.
Age: 27
Plan:
Taking GMAT Manhattan Class, plan on applying to schools next year 2016 for 2017 entry. Taking classes for alternative transcript (3.4 UG gpa)
Target schools: Northwestern, Columbia, NYU, Cornell, Michigan, Virgina.
Lingering Questions:
Is this a good plan to get into strategy consulting at a top firm? Any holes?
What can I do now to align myself for b school admissions and a strategy consulting role after b school?
If offered, should I take the pre-sales consulting role at the much bigger company with more pay? (This would give me a year until applying for schools at the job.)
What other schools should I target/avoid?
I really appreciate any feedback or expertise. Thank you!
B-school really is your only option at this point, so that part of the plan is well thought out. I would definitely take the job at the larger tech company, but only for a yearish so you don't get branded as "too old" (that will be your 6th year of experience, correct?). As far as your school choice, I really don't know. Unfortunately, nothing about your profile jumps off the page as being stellar. Rock the GMAT and apply to schools in the t10-t15. That should give you a shot at most of the top consulting firms.
With internships, I'm not sure. I only have 3 years experience in full time marketing roles. I didn't go to UG right after high school.
I'll apply for b school at 28. Any older would be a concern for schools or firms?
Your age isn't going to be a concern at the firms, it's going to be a concern for the B-schools. That said, the AVERAGE is 27-28, so there's obviously people older than that who get in. That wouldn't worry me. If you can get into the MBA program, you have a shot the firms.
I'd be more worried about your industry knowledge. Listing those 4 firms together concerns me, they aren't even close to a peer set. Your ability to get into a quality MBA program is going to hinge a lot on whether admissions thinks you have a good plan and are employable; saying "Associate Strategy Consultant" and then listing those firms is not going to inspire confidence.
Thanks, I do agree I need to learn more before essays and what follows. Is there a specific post or resource you would recommend I read to narrow my focus?
Alex Chu's book is a very good place to start:
http://www.mbaapply.com/book.htm
There's plenty of great online resources. This forum and the consulting reddit would be my first two stops
Thanks, I'll check those out.
As for schools -- it seems like the school and gmat score will matter more than anything at this point -- how do the various schools on my list place at the elite firms (BCG, Bain, McKinsey)?
I've heard great things about Northwestern, but otherwise about Cornell Johnson.
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