What looks better for admissions?

Question

I am trying to decide whether I should switch jobs or stay at my current company until I attend business school. I'm interested in opinions on which route would look better to the admissions committees. I plan on applying to schools Fall '16.

GPA: 3.6
GMAT: 780
WE to date: 2 yrs at a niche operations consulting firm that is well respected within the industry but not a household name
ECs: Board of Directors of a non-profit in South America
Undergrad: Tar Heels

Option 1: Stay at current role and get promoted within the next year. With the promotion I will be in a supervisory role.
Option 2: Move to Big 4 operations consulting but in a different industry than I am currently. This route will probably not include a promotion or a supervisory role before I apply to schools.

My goal is M7+ Tuck, Darden, Fuqua, etc. for strategy consulting.

Thanks in advance for the help!

bb · Answer

Is the only reason for option #2 is to get a better name?
Would entail any kind of a financial improvement or change in terms of salary?

TarHeel13331 · Answer

Salary would be pretty much equal.

bb · Answer

If your salary would be about the same, then you are stronger staying in a small firm, getting a promotion (hopefully more leadership experience), and salary growth on record (all those things are important).

P.S. Keep in mind that your pre-MBA work history is important, however, since you will be relying on it to get jobs, interviews, internships, so you don't want to look at it only in the perspective of admissions (too immediate). In this light, a big4 would be an advantage but having a promotion/higher standing would be as strong esp if you are staying in that industry.

PPS. really cool GMAT score!

TarHeel13331 · Answer

Thanks bb! That's what I'm leaning toward, I just want to make sure I'm not making a mistake here.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

I agree with the above recommendation. As a former consultant and advisor to many consultants applying to b schools, both from big and small firms, I'd happily give you specific advice if you tell me the firm you are at and the one you could reasonably get a job at. Feel free to email me if you don't want to list it publicly. [email protected]

Getting a promotion and extra leadership responsibility will certainly help, but I'd like to react to the actual firms in question.

What looks better for admissions?

Option 1 or Option 2?

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