Hey folks, need some updated advice on my MBA situation since things changed recently.
Background: Want to switch from automotive (8+ years) into strategy consulting. Target cities are Chicago and Seattle but willing to consider DC, NYC, or California.
Current scholarship offers:
Darden: 40% funding (just got this offer!)
Emory: 90% funding
Tepper: 88% funding
Kelley: 95% funding
My profile: Engineering undergrad (3.8 GPA), engineering master’s from top 5 program (3.9 GPA), no GMAT required.
What I’m trying to figure out:
Which school gives me the best shot at landing strategy consulting jobs in my target cities with these funding amounts?
How much should the scholarship money influence my decision vs other factors?
Darden’s culture really impressed me during visits, but Emory and Kelley are offering way more money. How do I weigh school fit against financial benefits?
With Darden now offering some funding, what’s a reasonable amount of debt to take on for this career change?
Really appreciate any thoughts, especially from people who went through similar decisions or attended these programs. The money situation makes this choice much harder than before.
Honestly? You’re overthinking this. Darden at 40% off will still cost way more than your other offers, and Emory’s solid for consulting. Yeah, Darden has prestige, but is it worth 100k+ extra debt? The culture impressed you during their visit, but when you’re pulling 80-hour weeks at McKinsey, you won’t care how warm the campus felt. Take the money and run.
Darden’s consulting placement is solid, especially for your target cities. The money difference sucks but if you can handle ~60% tuition debt, the ROI from consulting salary works out. Emory’s decent but Darden has stronger consulting connections. Don’t overthink it - go where the vibe felt right, and that sounds like Darden for you.
Given your engineering background and target cities, look at the actual consulting placement numbers. Darden gets 25-30% of their class into consulting with solid MBB representation, while Emory’s around 15-20%. But here’s the thing - consulting starts at $165k base plus bonus, so Darden’s debt becomes manageable if you land one of those roles. Don’t ignore that cultural fit you felt at Darden. Networking and alumni connections matter more than rankings when it comes to landing jobs. For Chicago and Seattle specifically, dig into which school has stronger alumni networks in those consulting offices.
This should help you understand the consulting landscape and make your decision.
I totally feel you on the dilemma! Darden sounds like a great fit for you, especially since their culture resonated with you. I switched from a different field during my MBA too, and the right environment can make all the difference. I get that the scholarships from Emory and Kelley are tempting, but consider long-term job placement and network as well. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to the schools and express your financial concerns; they might offer more. Remember, it’s about finding the right balance between cost and fit for your career goals!
Congrats on the amazing options! Your engineering background will definitely help in consulting no matter which school you pick. I’d try negotiating with Darden using your other offers - they might increase that scholarship!
