I am interested in management consulting, consulting (in general), technology, and entrepreneurship. I prefer smaller class sizes and a tightly-knit student body. I will major in economics or mathematics/cs. A HUGE selling point is the ability to get into a great graduate school, probably business school.
Lay prestige does NOT matter EXCEPT FOR BUSINESS GRAD SCHOOL admissions (e.g. the school should have a great record with MBA programs).
I have gotten into all of these schools in the past but took a gap year to re-apply.
In no particular order:
-Johns Hopkins University
-Claremont McKenna College
-Cornell University
-Vanderbilt University
-Georgetown University
I work at McKinsey currently as a Principal. I would say it’s a bit early to decide now to go into Management Consulting, just as it is a bit early for some to say they want to do Investment Banking prior to starting college. Do you know why you want to do management consulting and what actually happens in that industry?
All the above schools will do well from a business school placement perspective (especially if you do well) - but work experience will matter more along with your GPA and GMAT.
Vanderbilt is probably the best amongst the schools listed for pure elite consulting placement (Bain and BCG were founded by Vandy alums after all). But, McKinsey, Bain, and BCG primarily recruits for the Atlanta offices from Vandy.
If you’re interested in east coast placement, look towards JHU and Cornell (although Deloitte and Accenture strategy tend to recruit more from JHU and Cornell).
In terms of graduate school placement, JHU and Cornell do better relative to other schools listed based on my limited experience with regards to graduate school placement in STEM (as expected given they have far better STEM programs than the rest - but not sure if you’re considering graduate school in those areas). JHU and Cornell have also placed in the Harvard Business School 2+2 program, something to keep in mind and a testament to the reputation of the undergrads.
I would probably not consider Georgetown or Claremont (Pomona would be another story) for elite consulting recruiting if that is truly what you want to do. The benefit of elite consulting is it means a free MBA if you do well and open doors to other selective industries.
Thanks for the reply! I should say that I am attracted to consulting in general because I’ve talked to current professionals in the industry and the work they do appeals to my skills and interests.
Would you say that Claremont McKenna isn’t recruited at all for consulting in general then? I’ve heard that firms recruit at the Claremont Colleges campus together, not really by separate schools.
There is certainly recruiting at Claremont McKenna, and from the top firms. Two of my son’s roommates senior year had six figure offers in the fall before graduating. But neither of them ending up liking working in the field - both quit after a few years to do work that was more meaningful to them. No one I know from CMC has had any difficulty in admission to the grad school of their choice, either. Including medical schools.
@SpiritManager cool! would you say CMC students focus more on law or business grad schools? (Also, just curious, does your son attend grad school now?)
My son got a Masters in International Humanitarian Action from a Network formed by 9 European countries called NOHA - nine universities in nine countries combining for the degree - although his actual paper degrees are from Uppsala, Sweden and Duesto in Bilbao, Spain. I’d say there’s a pretty even mix among his friends of MBA’s, MD’s (although one friend got both) and JD’s. And a few friends went into the entertainment business without further degrees. Not sure anyone has gone on yet for a pure PhD among his circle of friends - not to say students from CMC don’t.
If you got into all of those schools in the past, why did you take a gap year to re-apply? (I’m just curious.)
Any of those schools will do well for business school (although your work experience will matter more). For small classes and a tight-knit student body, Claremont McKenna is obviously great - but Vanderbilt and Georgetown also have medium-sized student bodies in which most of your classes will probably be small. Georgetown offers the advantage of location; there are probably lots of term-time internships you can do in DC during the academic year that more remote locations like Cornell don’t offer. (Nashville is also a relatively large city that might offer that opportunity.)
the top firms do recruit at the Claremont Consortium, but the placement based on my experience and those of colleagues who recruit there do not see substantial placement by CMC into the top firms. Pomona has been and will continue to be the primary target there.
Here’s my predicament – I have a guaranteed acceptance (deferral) at CMC, but would have to apply again to get into Pomona. Would you say that it is worth it applying again to Pomona and throwing away an acceptance in hand?
From my conversations with CMC and Pomona alumni, they say most of the time the top consulting firms recruit through CMC’s Career Offices anyway and that the difference will not affect my chances of consulting.
Also, I notice that on the McKinsey website, UC Berkeley, CMC, and Pomona are all grouped together, while UCLA is separate. Is there a reason for this? Would you say that CMC is equal or better than UCB for maximizing chances to get a consulting role?
As for the others:
For JHU and Cornell - the academic environment, weather, and location did not appeal to me at all.
For Georgetown - Financial Aid was not as attractive as CMC. I was willing to give this another shot until you told me it wasn’t really a target.
For Vanderbilt - I simply did not look into Vandy enough then, but I think it would be better than the other choices.
Your opinion is extremely appreciated – I may choose based on it (among other factors, of course).
@Much2learn I got into UM Ross PA but didn’t like the size of the school (do you think this was a bad decision?). I also got into Berkeley but same complaint as before. I got rejected from Penn.
@julliet I am working on a project that I like, so I took a gap year. Would you say that CMC is good for MBA-plans as well (I’m wondering what you think).
I know that the others are excellent launch-boards for MBAs, but I like CMC a lot more.
“Would you say that it is worth it applying again to Pomona and throwing away an acceptance in hand?”
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
You KNOW that you can take classes at both CMC and Pomona, right?
If you were turned down by Pomona last year, you will be turned down again, unless you have done something truly incredible during your Gap year . Time and time again here on CC we read about students reapplying to colleges that already rejected them. the end result does not change.
CMC may relinquish your acceptance if they learn you are applying elsewhere!
So dont throw the baby out with the bath water!!
Go to CMC and make the most of your fantasctic opportunity!
@netflicks “I got into UM Ross PA but didn’t like the size of the school (do you think this was a bad decision?). I also got into Berkeley but same complaint as before. I got rejected from Penn.”
I think you did what is right for you. Michigan and Berkeley are great, but if you do not feel comfortable there, then choosing CMC is fine. If you turned down Michigan and Berkeley for southwest Mississippi community college because the classes were smaller, I might think that you made a questionable decision, but that is not the case here at all.
@menloparkmom I agree with your sentiment, but I actually didn’t apply to Pomona last year, so I didn’t get rejected. My academic stats resulted in the results above, and I think they are decent.
I will refuse to break my word or do ANYTHING unethical. If I choose to apply elsewhere, I relinquish my admission – I know this.
My question to @Blah2009 and you all is “is it worth it relinquishing my acceptance to apply to Pomona & other places (where I never applied before/gotten in already).”
I say NO, and the reason, is you CAN take classes at Pomona while going to CMC!
You can have your cake and eat it too!! Dont be a short sighted fool- you will be kicking yourself next year.
PLUS!!
You DO realize you’ll have to contact your guidance counselor and your teachers all over again and ask them to write yet another set of LOR’s for a student they will not seen for a year!
Who do you think is going to get the focus of their attention and the best LOR’? The current Current seniors at your HS or you- someone they may not remember well?
think about it- HARD- before asking them to do MORE work for a student who was already accepted at schools that other kids would DIE to go to.
You’ll run the risk of looking like a prestige ****
I advocate going where you will be happy amongst the schools listed. If you do well, you will end up at an elite firm from CMC. You’ve turned down schools where you would have had a better chance at McKinsey such as Michigan Ross since you didn’t like the atmosphere. Yes, you’ll be competing with the Pomona kids, but a good GPA, leadership, and case interview skills matter far more.
Thank you @Blah2009 . Would you say that CMC is looked down upon by all consulting firms? I care more about having experience in the industry vs. prestige of firm, so my main goal would be to join a consulting firm, regardless of which one it is.
Also, the McKinsey website states that all candidates from UC Berkeley, Pomona, and CMC have the same deadline for applications, while UCLA is different. Is there any reason why?