INSEAD vs McKinsey

Question

Looking for advice: What would you choose if you have an offer from INSEAD MBA and an entry-level consultant position (Business Analyst) at McKinsey at the same time?

Leadership · Answer

Hi, It depends on what you want

INSEAD is famous for post MBA consulting roles. I am sure the salary post MBA will be highly paid and much better than without MBA. If you have an opportunity to go into the above school, you must take this opportunity.

MBADecoder · Answer

Even as an analyst at McKinsey, you'll still likely need an MBA for your future career growth, so I am going to suggest that you go to INSEAD. Don't know about your work experience to know where you stand, but MBAs normally get hired as associates. So if you have the chance to be ired as an associate post MBA, then its an obvious choice.

leehz93 · Answer

Did you take the potential McKinsey MBA sponsorship into consideration?

To be more specific, what would you choose if you are given these 2 options:
1. Study INSEAD MBA on self-fund, with uncertain chances to get into MBB (even though INSEAD has a strong placement)
2. Start McKinsey first and get a sponsored MBA in the future with INSEAD, LBS, Harvard, etc.

JohnJohnJ · Answer

Dude... differ your admission at Insead and take the McKinsey job and get McKinsey to pay for your MBA in a couple of years. 
McKinsey is a feeder school to business schools, 15-20% class size at Stanford and Harvard is McKinsey. 
Don’t pay for it yourself.

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rtbs15 · Answer

On one hand, you could go to McK and after 2 yrs make them pay for your tuition. Amazing outcome, you'll be an associate in 3 + years with no debt other than your cost of living depending on which MBA you choose.   No risk, just lost potential earning during those years until you make associate.

On the other, you could go to INSEAD, and if you get McK they'll pay for half your tuition (maybe a bit more), and you'll be an associate in 1 year.   More risk, cause you might not get associate, but the reward is higher, +50% tuition covered and a higher starting salary.

It'd be good if you consulted with a McK alum or current employee on the likelihood that you will get a job while at INSEAD as an associate when you've just been offered a BA role. I don't know if an MBA will magically solve for the lack of experience.

Best of luck!

leehz93 · Answer

Thank you so much and this is really insightful. I was not aware of the potential 50% sponsorship from McKinsey. Is that given if I am at a BA position and I got a MBA offer at the same time? Can you describe more?

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rtbs15 · Answer

As an MBA grad, if you get MBB (don't know tier 2/3), they will pay for at least half your tuition once you get an offer, and start as an associate.

If you accept a BA role at McK now, they won't offer you that. But they will pay for your MBA in 2 years' time, provided that you perform accordingly.

All I'm saying is that getting tuition money is not only linked to starting at McK now, they will pay for it if you get it while doing an MBA as well, it's just that you can't guarantee that you'll get the job.

BiotechGuy · Answer

If I were you, I would be going to McKinsey no questions asked. Even though it may be a lower level position, you will be exposed to so much and learn a great amount.

If you enjoy what you are doing, fantastic, you will likely be able to go back to school on the company's dime. In addition, that pre-mba experience with the firm will give you a big advantage against new Associates in your post-mba role.

In contrast, you could also decide after two years that you do not necessarily love the consulting lifestyle. Now, you have a better idea of what industry you would like to be in and what function you would like to be doing. Your McKinsey experience will help you get into a top tier MBA (M7, LBS, INSEAD, etc.) most likely with with $$$!

I really see no downside of taking the role at McKinsey other holding off on bschool for a couple years. Who is to say you will even need to go back to school at that point to pivot. Just my $0.02!

leehz93 · Answer

Thanks for your valuable input!

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leehz93 · Answer

Thanks for sharing this! Very helpful!

ZahidGani · Answer

I have never heard of McKinsey paying 50% of the MBA cost if you join them post-MBA. Is this common? 
Does that mean if you were to go for an MBA (top-tier), and then sign with McKinsey post-MBA they would effectively reimburse you for the half the cost of the MBA (presumably as a signing bonus or something)?

bb · Answer

EY pays for the second year if you take their offer. Same thing - 50%

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ZahidGani · Answer

What if you did a one year program?

ANALysis · Answer

is this a joke?
take the job dude

Curumo · Answer

How old are you?
27? If yes - take MBA.

1) I do not know where these comments are coming from - but you are not guaranteed MBA sponsorship if you are in McK.
First you need to work your ass of for 2.5-3 years, then they will cover the tuition with an obligation to stay for another 2 years - it's not like a gift or something.
2) With MBA - you ll get more diverse self development and a degree which would allow you to apply for associate level positions.
With a BA offer in hand you have a chance to become an associate in 3 years if you are a top performer in McK (which is not guaranteed at all) or after 3 years+ another year or two in an MBA program. In total that makes roughly 4 years till you become associate.
With INSEAD you can become an associate in 1 year. Worst case scenario - you will get an associate level job in another company.

Unless you really love McK and consulting and you just cannot wait a year, MBA now seems to be a more flexible option.

INSEAD vs McKinsey

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