<p>I didn't figure out what I wanted to do with my life until pretty late in the game so I haven't gone to a very good undergraduate school (Northern Illinois University). I'm wondering if this will disqualify me from going to a top MBA program? I have a good GPA and imagine I'll graduate at around 3.9 and hopefully getting a job at a big 4 accounting firm. If all goes to plan and I get a stellar gmat score (730-750) do I have a chance at a top MBA program? My top choices are U of M Ross, Stern, U of Chicago Booth, and any tier 2 schools with good recruiting for management consulting which is what I want to do.</p>
<p>So am I screwed because of my undergrad program? Can I get some great extracurricular's to make up for it?</p>
<p>I don’t think you have much to worry about. If your entire package is stellar (big 4 internship/job, high GPA, high GMAT, great letter of recommendations, etc…), then you have a great chance of getting into a very good MBA program. </p>
<p>Think of it as a stepping ladder. People do their undergrad to get the job at the big 4. Once you get the job, where you went for that piece of paper to get you that job doesn’t matter as much. Of course there will always be benefits to the ivy league connections and networks but that will only take you so far.</p>
<p>People on this site tend to think Ivy league or Top 10 undergrad or bust. The further you progress in your career, the less it matters where you went for your bachelors.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies from both of you. Good to know the farther I get into my career the less my undergrad will matter. I’ve got some extracurriculars in mind to further “bury” my undergrad school so hopefully that will help also.</p>
<p>@floridadad55
If I don’t get into one of my choices or another top MBA program I’m not going to pursue a MBA. It’s really top 20 (preferably top 7) or nothing for me as my goals are to work for a top consulting firm such as Bain and only a top program would help me get there.</p>
<p>There is a lot more to it than just simply getting a big 4 offer, working for 5 years and going to a “top” MBA program. You need to think strategically. If you want to go into management consulting, you should try to get into some form of advisory group at the Big 4. </p>
<p>There needs to be some correlation between your pre-MBA work experience and your post-MBA goals. How will the adcoms know you will be successful as a management consultant? How does Bain know you will be a successful management consultant when all you have is Big 4 on your resume? You need to really set yourself apart and do things other people aren’t willing to do. You need to make sacrifices above and beyond what others are willing to make. You need to demonstrate consistency in your application.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if Big 4 is “good” experience if you are planning to go for an MBA. The big 4 business is pretty much cookie cutter, churn and burn. You’ll follow the same path as everyone else who has gone before you unless you are exceptional in which case, you’ll be afforded better opportunities for leadership roles within the firm - more in line with what an MBA program is looking for. Basically, you really need to set yourself apart somehow at the Big 4. It’s going to be tough, and you really need to find people who are willing to support your career at the Big 4. You need to establish those solid relationships. Don’t tell them you want to go to business school until you are VERY good friends with your superiors. They’ll stop investing in you and kill your career at the firm if they find out that you are already planning for business school after 1 year at the firm.</p>