Thank you for your response in advance.I need advice from an experienced consultant regarding my future career and study choices. Like most people on this site, I want to work in Strategy Consulting. Feel free to be frank and blunt if you wish. All I want is honest and real answers.I realise that I have a lot of questions, but if consultants only want to answer just one or two then I fully understand as there are many other people who need their questions answered. So as not to waste your time, and to streamline your answer, I have given some back ground information about myself. I am not trying to post my CV on the site. I am 26yrs old. Graduated from a Bach App Sci (Diagnostic Radiography), Australia, in 1999, with a credit average. I am in my 6th Year of working as a radiographer (1/2 public, 1/2 private). Started, a part time MBA with Macquarie Graduate School of Management (Sydney) – ranked #1 in Asia and Australia and #40 in the world for its full-time MBA program (Economist Intelligence Unit)- Average subject mark -70%. Unfortunately, I had to cut it short and graduated with Post Grad Dip in Management in July 04, as I got married and moved to Glasgow, Scotland. I am now currently enrolled, via distance education, in the MBA program with the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of New England (Australia) – essentially a ‘’No Name MBA’’- Subject material is good and quite time demanding. I am majoring in Accounting. (Distinction average) I realise that in order to become a successful Strategy Consultant, and gain respect from CEO’s etc I must have an MBA from a top MBA school. ie LBS, Insead etc. I am planning on moving to London in September 2006. My Questions are: (1) What’s the best way for me to get my foot in the door? Should I finish my ‘no name’ MBA then apply for a graduate training or junior business analyst position? Work very hard for 2yrs with this firm and then finance myself through a top tier MBA if my employer will not sponsor me?(2) Should I finish my current ‘no name’ MBA and then try to go straight to LBS, Insead or Oxford. If successful in getting into one of these top schools and graduating with an average subject mark of 70% etc will this guarantee me a position as a Strategy Consultant with a firm? (3) Just before I finish my ‘no name ‘MBA should I do three months etc of work experience with a consulting firm and then apply for a graduate / junior position? (4) Will consulting firms place any value on my experience and understanding of the health systems, diagnostics, the human body, medicine etc. (5) Some general question that I can not seem to find answers to in my research, (a) consultants work long hours – how long is long? 50, 60, 70+ hrs a week? 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday. (b) Travel – how much travel is involved? is it just short term ie 2 to 3 nights away from home each week? medium travel – 2 to 4 weeks? long term travel 3, 6 months or relocation travel – change countries for 1yr + etc.(6) For a wanabee Strategy Consultant? What are the most valuable subjects in an MBA? Which major is best? Generalist, Finance, Marketing, HR etc Are their any subjects/ majors that most employers like MBA Graduates to have? Thank you for your time.

Hi. I've had a quick read and I think I may be able to help you with your MBA choices. In all honesty as you dont have any strategy experience I do think INSEAD is not the place for you because INSEAD as far as I'm aware operate a 1 year course and no summer placement. What you want to do is get some experience under your belt while completing your MBA and therefore LBS would be the best option for you mainly as you are moving to London too. Most of the top firms usually look at people from LBS for the summer placement and therefore you have more chance of getting some exposure not to mention a decent salary which should hopefully help you pay for your MBA!!Hope that helps!

I would agree: LBS is currently the best UK B-school by far, judged by the quality of its graduates, and the 2-year course would be a benefit over INSEAD. Check the numbers for Harvard and Wharton (etc.), too, though, as they might stack up for you, especially if you can secure a scholarship. I would avoid the Said and the Judge - they are trading on their Oxbridge connections without the quality of faculty or students of the genuine top schools (yet, at least - it takes time to build a good B-school). Good luck!

Thanks 'Anon' & 'A Friend' for your advise. It's more appreciated then you may think. Can you also give me your opinion on whether you think I should try to get a junior analyst's position for 2 yrs etc and then go to LBS etc or should I just go straight to business school as soon as I can? Thanks again.

You did say we should be frank.... It's going to be tough. To get a business analyst role you would need to demonstrate some strong academic qualifications (perhaps take a GMAT if you haven't already? aiming for 740+) and/or decent commercial experience (which you don't seem to have). It's not typically a post-MBA position. You should be able to get a good view on your prospects from the headhunters who work the field: BLT, BYT, Walker Hamill etc. (there's a list on this site), maybe looking particularly at opportunities with firms with a strong life-sciences practice (e.g., E&Y, L.E.K., IMS Health). Another option worth exploring would be the temping/outsourcing firms, like FreshMinds, which could give you an opportunity to gain some relevant experience. As to the alternative, do remember that the competition to get into the top B-schools will also be intense. I'm not trying to discourage you, just being realistic.

Hi Anon. Thank you very much for your advise.I would much rather get a truthful answer of 'how it is' then waste my time, efforts & money. I will look into sitting the GMAT and investigate further the paths you have suggested. I just hope one day I can help others on this forum as you have helped me. Cheers mate.

Hi.Stephen I would have to agree with Anon on this one! Competition is tough so be warned!! However sitting the GMAT and getting a mid 700 score is great as that could be used as a tool to show recruiters your talent and the likely possibility of getting into a top b-school. A suggestion for you: Try using one of the GMAT training company's i.e. Kaplan, Manhattan Review - they will help you prepare well for the GMAT - costly though?? M Review are about £495 for a weekend course but well worth it when you score 740!!Hope this helps! Good luck?

Hi Stephen, not quite sure I understand your current strategy. Why would you want to finish your MBA now and then get another MBA? I don't really know anyone who has two, nor do I see the usefulness. Just getting a second MBA for the name of the school seems like a bit much of an effort. Life scientists like myself end up being quite valuable in strategy consultancies, but you must have shown consistently top achievements to get into one of the top strategy firms. To be bluntly honest, your CV does not seem to indicate this, so getting in might be tricky at best.Given these two facts, I would do the following: go talk to some of the top biz school admissions offices. I have found them to be surprisingly approachable. See what your chances are to get in, then get your MBA there, not over distance learning. Also look into starting at one of the less well known consultancies, there are quite a few that even specialize in health care. If you really want strategy, try LEK in London, they're pretty cool people and strong in life sciences, but also tough to get into. If you do very well for a few years, you might be able to switch to top tier, but you might find that at that point you're already in a very satisfying career anyway. The MBB life is not necessarily the best option for everyone, and only running after that will limit your possibilities and chances.Best of luck!

Aks yourself why? Why do you want to be a strategy consultant?