Skipping MBB Analyst Program to Begin as an Associate with Direct UG>MBA Program

Question

College junior here. Stern (and some other schools, I presume) has a program that allows college seniors begin their MBA program straight out of undergrad (with 0 years of full-time experience). What do MBBs make of such candidates? Will they be able to graduate from their MBA into MBB Associate programs or will they be asked to join as analysts? I have found 1 case of this of UG>no FT experience>Stern MBA>McK Associate, but the sample size is too small to draw an informed conslussion. Please share thoughts on this.

Answer 1

Hello!

As someone with an MBA, I would never advise you to do one straight after Uni. It does not make any sense, and you will see that all top programs (IVY league, European tops as INSEAD, etc.) demand at least two years of working experience.

Furthermore, it´s fundamental to make the most out of it at a personal level.

Finally, regarding your question, MBB won´t take you as an associate after an MBA in Stern. I am 100% sure about that.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 2

Hi there,

Hope you're enjoying your time at my alma mater :)

So while I agree with Vlad that it's not the top target school, it's absolutely a recruiting school for MBB. In my class alone we had 10 candidates go to each of MBB (i.e. 30 in total).

Coming from undergad you will most certainly come in as Analyst (entry level). Coming from an MBA you will enter as a Consultant (BCG)/Associate (McKinsey).

Happy to talk to you more about how to leverage the Stern resources to your advantage!

Answer 3

Hi,

I know the cases when the candidates joined as Associates after such a series of events. However, one thing to remember is that Stern is not the top school and the recruiting process will be extremely competitive. And you'll be competing for Associate roles with the other candidates who already have work experience.

Best

Answer 4

Post MBA recruiting is usually as an Associate but I agree with Clara - there is 0 advantage of doing an MBA with no work experience. At least 2-4 yrs of work experience will really change the quality of your experience from the MBA itself and will also improve your job prospects.

Also Vlad's point on Stern not being a target school is extremely important! Always go to a target school program if you want to get into MBB, it is super hard to get in from a non target school.

Answer 5

Hi, I confirm with 0 working experience you will be invited only for entry-level roles interviews

Best,
Antonello

Answer 6

Hello there!

First of all, it's better for you to gain work experience of minimum 2 years before doing the MBA.
By doing that you will increase your chances to get to MBB, though it will be still very competitive.

Do you need any further help?

GB

Answer 7

Hi,

I would not suggest that you do MBA right after school. If your goal is go into consulting the value add of MBA with limited / no working experience is very minimal to none. I have seen directly some cases that MBA graduates with no / limited working experience start as Associate (Undergrad entry level) in BCG and Strategy&