Undecided - 11-20-2018 | Clear Admit DecisionWire

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November 20, 2018 8:44am ET

Enrolled: Undecided

Admitted: Cornell / Johnson , UVA / Darden

Applied: Cornell / Johnson, UVA / Darden

Entering Year: 2019

Post MBA Career: Consulting Companies: Accenture, AT Kearney, Bain, BCG, McKinsey

GRE: 325

Location: USA

Notes:

My goal is to go MBB. I understand how competitive that can be, but what might be unique about my story is that I'd like to go MBB int'l as a US national. I have family in Asia. I would target Dubai or Singapore. IMO Darden>Johnson but should I worry about UVA and Cornell's int'l brand? Any advice in making this decision would be appreciated.

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Show Comments (9) Last: December 6, 2018

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1857 First of all - congratulations on your acceptances to both Darden and Johnson. Both programs would provide you with the education, brand and network to help you with your post MBA career. This is a tough call. On the one hand, Darden's case study method is great training for a consulting career and Darden has a good track record for consulting jobs. On the other hand, Cornell's ivy league brand may carry a bit more weight internationally in Asia. I suggest that you do your due diligence on both schools. Try to contact the career offices and speak with students and ask about their track record of US students landing consulting jobs internationally. (0)

anon20984 Likes Earned: 0 OP here: Based on the employment reports, Darden does much better for MBB than Johnson. From my discussions with current students I learned that not all 3 recruit on campus. Wouldn't it make sense to go where MBB has a much stronger presence (on campus & alumni)? I understand MBB will be hard to achieve anywhere but I'd think going where I have the better shot would be the best place to attend. Thoughts? (0)

eliot Verified User. Likes Earned: 1857 Thanks for your reply. Yes, given your strong desire to work at MBB, and given Darden's strong track record of placing graduates in MBB positions, then Darden would be a sound choice, After performing well in the first round of interviews with MBB for your summer associate position, you would then need to persuade the MBB recruiters to give you a chance to work in one of your target international offices. (0)

anon39978 Likes Earned: 2 Go to Darden. Stellar MBB placements (in its tier.. 10-15 ranked schools). Significantly higher chances of landing MBB at Darden compared to Cornell. (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 Are you considering a few Round 2 apps, M7 programs? That might be worthwhile, if your focus is MBB. (0)

anon20984 Likes Earned: 0 OP here: Thank you for your responses. I think I'm overthinking the international pedigree a little bit, maybe. Recruiters at top firms should be familiar with a top 15 US MBA program - would you agree? @alexbr4 I thought about applying to M7 programs, but I truly consider them to be 'reach' given my stats (3.32 GPA & 325 GRE). I considered Kellogg only because I've gone to school and lived in the Midwest for the last decade. Any suggestions for programs to consider? (0)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1577 They might be reaches, but if you don't try, you won't know. I'd at least consider Kellogg for MBB. Maybe pick one more. (0)

anon26868 Likes Earned: 0 I worked for a MBB. Do you have ties to the countries you want to work in besides family? If not, it would be hard making your case in working there as home office. It's not rare for US folks to apply to int'l offices, it's just rare for them to get in. Usual reasoning is to experience the culture and diversity which is def not strong enough. I suggest going to Darden for the better chances at placement and try to get into an US office. The MBB I worked at has a mobility program that allows you to move abroad later on. (0)

anon20984 Likes Earned: 0 @anon26868 OP Here: What would be a reason that would make a compelling case to try and recruit into an international office then? I grew up in the region, so I felt that would be a good enough reason to try and go back. I agree with you though that if that doesn't work out, recruiting into a US office and moving abroad after is also an option. (0)