Hi
monigu, thank you for writing in. Wow, you have an interesting background!
I will try to tackle your main questions first:
1) Does it make sense for me to do an MBA?
I personally think it's probably too early to answer this question. What do you want to do, and might an MBA help get you there? If you want to stay the long term in consulting, you may need at some firms to pursue some kind of MBA program. For other jobs, that you might move into next, you might not. It really depends on what your goals are! My advice is, start working and see what you think in another year or so. One thing I will add though, is that sometimes this answer for women is different than it is for men, as an MBA provides benefits of an additional credential and strong network that may benefit women in particular who may have more challenges in advancing their careers without these boosts, especially in certain industries.
2) If going for an MBA seems worth it, what exact GMAT score should I aim for?
Generally, the higher the better, so why not aim high?
I would not aim for a particular score, but simply try to do the best you can. Ideally, yes, 700+ for top US/European programs, or even better, 720+. Of course, the GMAT alone is not the only thing that counts, so if you fall short, you might still apply to programs where you are below the average (but include other programs where you match up more closely, depending on your other "profile" qualifications).
3) Let's say I can get 700-720 on the GMAT, which top US schools could I target?
Again, it depends on your goals, but you
could target just about any of them - I don't think there are any programs that you would eliminate on GMAT alone at this point. What do you want to DO? Where do you want to go next? I have worked with Italian applicants from high profile consulting firms, and schools that they often consider are in Europe (INSEAD is popular with many) and the M7, but your list might expand or contract based on what you are wanting to do. If your goal, for example, is to break into tech and then go revolutionize some aspect of agribusiness then your list might shift vs. if you want to go do something in European PE or something.
To focus in on your last question: Do I think that having attended a prestigious business school for my graduate education could offset this aspect (of a lesser-known undergraduate institution)? I think the answer is very much yes, particularly when combined with a job at BCG, which is a prestigious firm that adds yet another stamp of approval. I'll speak to my own alma mater, Harvard Business School, for a second -- for the class of 2023, HBS admitted people from 295 different undergraduate institutions (137 domestic, 158 international)! Now that class was a bigger class than the norm because of pandemic deferrals, but still -- that's a lot of schools! I'll also add that I work with people who apply from all kinds of undergraduate backgrounds, and have worked with several clients who attended what might be called lesser-known or less-prestigious programs who were ultimately very successful (one is going to HBS, one to MIT, one to Wharton, one to LBS, etc.)! So, it's really about the whole picture, not just one aspect. If you have a good score, great work experience with excellent recs, strong leadership and a compelling story, you will absolutely have a shot.
Feel free to reach out again (perhaps getting a consultation to hone in on your list of schools) in a year or so! And best of luck with your new job!
Warmly,
Julie-Anne Heafey
Senior Consultant
mbaMission