Greetings,

I'm 33, live in Germany and have 5 years of experience in consulting. I'm looking to pivot into a major firm with a role in strategy. I'm considering programs in Europe (INSEAD, LBS) and the US (such as Wharton and Kellogg) but I'm not sure as to which region might provide the best ROI. I want to create a solid network and move forward in consulting/strategy roles and happy to relocate.

Any insights on this path, ROI, networks, would be very valuable.

Have a nice day!

Starting with your career goals: The top strategy consulting firms (MBB - McKinsey, Bain, BCG) recruit heavily from all the schools you mentioned. Your prior consulting experience is valuable for this transition.

Location considerations:

- European schools like INSEAD and LBS have outstanding placement rates into European offices of major consulting firms

- US schools place well globally but excel at US office placements

I- NSEAD's 1-year program offers faster ROI compared to 2-year US programs

- German offices of top firms value both US and European MBAs



Network value:

- LBS gives strong access to London's consulting market

- INSEAD offers a truly global network through its multiple campuses

- US schools provide deep networks in the American market

- All these schools have strong consulting alumni networks in Germany



Financial factors:

- US programs cost more and take longer, creating a higher opportunity cost

- European programs get you back to work faster

- Living costs are higher in the US during study

- Post-MBA consulting salaries are similar across regions



Based on your goals, I'd suggest:



INSEAD as your top choice:

- Strong consulting recruitment

- Global network

- Faster ROI

- European market expertise

- Strong German presence



LBS as backup:

- Similar benefits to INSEAD

- Strong London consulting hub access

- 15-month format



The US schools are excellent but may not offer enough additional value to justify the extra time and cost for your specific goals. Higher earnings in US locations reflect higher costs.

[Edited by StuartHE on Nov 01, 2024]

Hi Stuart! hope you are fine! What you would say is the age "limit" to pursue this options?

Age itself isn't a strict barrier, but let's look at this pragmatically through the lens of ROI and career outcomes.
MBA age patterns:
- INSEAD average age: 29 (range 26-32)
- LBS average age: 29 (range 25-32)
- US programs average age: 28-30 (range 25-34)

At 33, you're at a decision point:
Full-time MBA pros:
- Strong recruiting pipeline
- Complete career switch possible
- Deep network building
- Most direct path to top consulting firms

Full-time MBA cons:
- You'd be 4-5 years older than average
- More challenging recruiting for entry-level consulting roles
- Higher opportunity cost from lost wages

Options to consider:

1. Executive MBA (EMBA) programs:
- Better fit for your age/experience level
- Can continue working
- More senior peer network
- Still respected by consulting firms for experienced hire roles


2. Part-time MBAs:
- Keep your income
- Build skills gradually
- Lower opportunity cost
- Good for internal moves

Looking at your consulting goals, for strategy consulting:
- MBB firms rarely hire EMBA grads into standard consultant roles
- But they do hire EMBA grads into:
- - Specialist roles
- - Expert tracks
- - Senior experienced hires

Your next steps might be to:
- Talk to consulting recruiters about experienced hire paths
- Research EMBA programs at top schools
- Connect with EMBA grads who made similar moves

Interesting. Yes, looking strictly at the costs, there is quite a gap across the oceans.

INSEAD offering a faster ROI than a 1-year program in the US is quite startling. I guess that says everything I needed to know. I wasn't aware that the difference was so big. I was already leaning more towards Europe, but it's good to get some clarification and be able to back up the inclination with more information.

Thank you for your time and knowledge.