Hi,I'm an analyst and considering an mba in a few years. I've been looking at the websites of the top places and most state that most of their applicants have 3-7 yrs experience with an average of 5.Would my consulting experience potentially enable me to get in after 3 or 4 years since it is perhaps a more intense and varied learning experience than some other professions?

I did 1 year in industry and 2 years in consulting before i went to Insead. i was on the young side many people had slightly more experience say 4-5 years being average, but some people had less - ie straight out of law school.... or grad school. but that was the exception rather than the rule. Make sure aside from the consulting you have other facets to your life - ie sports, entrepreneurship , chairty etc. Remember that the whole damned process to apply sinks a year - so thinking about it now is a good step. also try to apply round 1 or 2 to be eligible for scholarships....

Thanks for the reply. Great stuff, Insead is my first choice definately so feel free to post your thoughts during it. Of the 1 yr MBA's I don;t think there's any other close right?If you went after 3 years does that mean you applied after 2? I would aim to go for a Jan start and joined my firm in Jan so whilst I could start the course after exactly 3 yrs experience if I got in, it would involve applying with just over 2 and would prob not be enough.

The process does not necessarily take a year. I suppose I can reluctantly accept the poor spelling of charity in this context. However the main reason for responding is that there is a very strong argument for having more rather than less experience (i.e. 7 rather than 3). I did an in-depth MBA application process before mine, and visited schools that compete favourably with INSEAD. Something that came across to me was the value that an MBA gives to enhancing your own experience together with that of other MBA students.If you cannot connect any of it with sufficient business experience to a. Complete the courseworkb. Pass the exams, then you are likely to struggle to get through it.It is often much more difficult to motivate yourself for something when you dont really understand the point of doing it.

Hmmm i disagree, if it were really true that people with 3-4 years dont know sh!t, then they would all FAIL MBA school - in reality nobody does, alot of people underestimate what one can actually learn in 4 years, and the schools themselves arent stupid - they get inundated with applicants and choose the best. I take your point that having more work experience is always better personally, but to be honest if Bain, Mckinsey think that sending their 25 year old grads after 2-3 years is good enough, then why not others. It didnt make my contributions in class any less worthwhile, in fact some people who had been at their companies for 8-10 years welcomed the different perspectives which is what an MBA is all about. Money wise its also more unfesible to give up a salary of say 80-100K (which is reasonable after 7 years) pay an additional 50k in fees and expenses. An exec MBA, company sponsored is better for those who want to wait. also remember most women with kids and to a lesser extent men, cannot just up and leave and move country for a year aged 32!