Dutch Student with Startup Experience – Best Master’s Strategy for MBB Entry?

Question

Hi all,

I’m currently a bachelor student in Mathematics at a Dutch university and I’m strongly motivated to pursue a career at an MBB consulting firm (in Amsterdam or elsewhere in Europe) after graduation. In the Netherlands, it's a formal requirement to obtain a master's degree in addition to a bachelor's to qualify for most consultancy positions. However, none of the Dutch master’s programs truly appeal to me.

I’ve gained valuable entrepreneurial experience during my studies — I founded two startups, of which one has had an ARR of €180.000 for over four years. I believe this sets me apart somewhat from the average undergrad student and I want to continue building startups after 2-4 years in consulting. While my GPA is below average (3.1/4), I expect to compensate for this with a strong GMAT score in the 700–750 range, which I plan to achieve in the coming months.

Given this, I’m exploring the following international options:

Deferred MBA programs at top M7 schools (e.g., HBS 2+2, Stanford, Wharton), which would be my top choice if achievable.
MiM programs at top European business schools, particularly LBS, INSEAD, or HEC Paris.
Any other options that will achieve my goal.

Before applying, I’ll also have the opportunity to do a 5-month full-time internship (Aug 2025–Jan 2026). I'm considering whether to do this in VC, a tier two stategy consulting firm or elsewhere.

My questions:

Which type of internship would best strengthen my profile for MBB and top-tier master’s programs?
Which of the mentioned master’s programs would be both a good fit and realistically within reach, considering my profile?
Would you say this plan (internship + application to a MiM or deferred MBA or another option) is optimal for breaking into MBB, or should I consider another strategy?

I’d really appreciate any advice from people with admissions or consulting experience — thanks in advance!

Best,
Baak

Answer 1

Hi Baak,

You’ve built a strong profile with your entrepreneurial experience, and it’s great that you’re thinking strategically about your next steps. Below are my thoughts on your key questions:

1. Best Internship for MBB and Master’s Admissions

For both MBB recruiting and top master’s programs, the most impactful internship would be:
    •    Tier 2 Strategy Consulting (Roland Berger, Strategy&, Oliver Wyman, etc.) – This would signal consulting experience and make your MBB application much stronger. Admissions committees for MiM and deferred MBA programs would also see this as a sign of strong analytical and business skills.
    •    VC Internship – If you’re committed to startups post-consulting, this could reinforce your long-term entrepreneurial aspirations. However, unless it’s at a top VC firm (e.g., a well-known European or US fund), it may not add as much direct value to MBB applications as consulting experience.
    •    Other Options? A high-impact internship at a scaling startup or tech firm (e.g., a strategy role at a unicorn or FAANG company) could also be compelling, but it won’t signal the same consulting readiness as a tier 2 consulting internship.

Recommendation: If your primary goal is to maximize your chances at MBB, prioritize a strategy consulting internship. If you’re more focused on top-tier business school admissions and want to emphasize your entrepreneurial track, VC could work—but it’s riskier for MBB.

2. Best Master’s Program for Your Profile

Given your below-average GPA (3.1/4.0) but strong GMAT potential (700–750) and entrepreneurial background, here’s a breakdown of your options:
    •    MiM at LBS, INSEAD, or HEC Paris – These are great choices for MBB recruiting, but LBS and INSEAD are particularly competitive. Your entrepreneurial success will help, but you’ll need a compelling application story to offset your GPA. HEC might be slightly more accessible.
    •    Deferred MBA (HBS 2+2, Stanford, Wharton, etc.) – These programs are extremely competitive, and while your startup experience is a differentiator, your GPA could be a challenge unless your GMAT is 750+ and your essays are exceptional.
    •    Alternative options – You might also consider Esade, IE, or Rotterdam School of Management (RSM) for a strong business foundation while keeping MBB in reach.

Recommendation:
• If you really want MBB in the short term, MiM at LBS, INSEAD, or HEC is a stronger bet than deferred MBA programs, as MBB recruits heavily from these.
• If your long-term priority is an entrepreneurial MBA track, applying to deferred MBA programs is worth a shot, but it’s a high-risk strategy.

Your plan (internship + MiM or deferred MBA) is solid, but here’s how you can optimize it:
    1.    Maximize your GMAT score – With a 750+, you improve your odds significantly for both MiM and deferred MBA programs.
    2.    Pick a consulting-focused internship – This will give you a more direct pathway to MBB and help with MiM admissions.
    3.    Strengthen your academic positioning – Since your GPA is a weak spot, highlight coursework, projects, or side certifications (e.g., CFA Level 1, strategy-related MOOCs) to show quantitative strength.
    4.    Consider networking with MBB now – Attending events or reaching out to consultants in your target offices (Amsterdam or elsewhere) could help position you for a future application.

If you can get into a top MiM (LBS, INSEAD, HEC) + a strategy consulting internship, you’ll be well-positioned for MBB. A deferred MBA is a moonshot but worth trying if you have strong essays and a compelling narrative.

Hope this helps, and happy to discuss further!

Best,
Evelina

Answer 2

Hi Baak,

Why do you want to break into consulting if your goal is to return to the entrepreneurial world afterwards? Just wondering the underlying motivation to see if all this mid-term work and investment is required.

Answers to your questions:

1. T2 and even MBB internships would be preferable. Probably you have what it takes, considering your entrepreneurial experience and the MBAs schools you are aiming.

2. I don’t think there is enough information to tell you that, but of course the European programs are more feasible, short, cheaper while also targeted by MBB/tier2. M7 is a no-brainer, but selection is tougher.

3. Seems sound to me! Not sure if you need an MBA to be honest, depending on the country you chose. If you could gather relevant experience in a boutique/T2 consulting, that could be enough. Your GPA is not great, but as you collect professional experience across the time, this become less important. That being said, MBA is a more certain path.

Best,

Mari

Answer 3

1. The consulting internship is the best option to get into consulting. VC is a different skill set and will only deepen your "entrepreneuship" profile which is not your objective

2. All the schools you mentioned are great schools.

3. Nothing wrong with your strategy. Seems to be a good option.