Kelley vs. Olin

Question

Hi everybody,

I'm down to a final decision:
Indiana University: Kelley
Washington University in Saint Louis: Olin

I got a little more of a scholarship at Kelley than Olin, but they are similar.

My goal is employment in the best possible Management Consulting firm, preferably with opportunities for international travel post-MBA. I'm a white American woman from the northeast with a background in the social sciences / humanities / liberal arts and a variety of job functions.

Strengths: Academics, Spanish fluency
Weaknesses: Networking, business-specific knowledge

Which of the two programs gives me the best chance at employment in a top multinational consulting firm? Are both programs equally regionally focused on Midwest placement? What personality qualities would make me a better fit at one than the other? Any qualitative opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Mo2men · Answer

Congrats regarding you weakness, do not consider no businesses knowledge is a weakness at all as long as you recognize it and put effort to overcome it. Both programs will help you. Have look here for management consulting from both: https://poetsandquants.com/2014/01/17/wh ... sulting/2/ Where do you want to travel? Asia or Europe or Middle least-Dubai? I have different ideas.

VP85 · Answer

I became fluent in Spanish in undergrad and have started learning Mandarin. I would love to live in Shanghai, China (or elsewhere in Asia) for a year... Don't mind traveling to all those places you mentioned, but Asia, Oceania and Latin America are on my list of places to go first.

Business research suggests "emerging markets" might be a good direction? ... The dream is McKinsey, but as I shot for HBS and INSEAD and landed on Olin or Kelley, I'll probably shoot for McKinsey and land at some less-prestigious, still excellent company. Wonder which!

Mo2men · Answer

1- Start to build your network through LinkedIn. Try to add many consultants from those countries in your list 2- To compare between Kelley and Olin from International project that helps you. Olin: You can do an Global Mgmt Studies: https://www.olin.wustl.edu/EN-US/partner ... udies.aspx Also you can do exchange program in those countries: https://www.olin.wustl.edu/EN-US/academi ... Study.aspx Kelley: You can participate in GLOBASE or Emerging Markets Experience and do an exchange program: https://kelley.iu.edu/MBA/Academics/Glob ... 38446.html In Kelley it is clear what you can expect but in Olin it need more clarification. You can contact both schools. One of my Brazilian contact in UNC told me that when he sent his resume to Bain, they sent his resume to office in Brazil, saying that their office is in short of consultants (i know they speak Portuguese) but I can conclude the Latin America has the same problem. good luck in pursuing you dream

KiwiCandidate · Answer

Hi VP85,

I just attended the Kelley Experience Weekend for admitted students and it was a blast. The collaborative, outgoing, and overall friendly nature of the current students, admitted students, and professors is what really made the decision easy for me. I really felt a strong school spirit throughout the entire community. I believe this school spirit will assist with building a strong and lasting network. You are correct that Chicagoland is the top location for graduates to end up, but that is because many MBAs choose to do so. Kelley also sends roughly 20% of classes to NYC and 15% to the West Coast. If you have any questions about Kelley or Bloomington I would be happy to give the little insight that I have gained as another admitted student. Best of luck with your decision!

Kelley vs. Olin

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards