Hi everyone,Non-UK student graduating with undergrad bachelors end of this year, but unfortunately missed the cut for MBB(+B) consulting.I did manage to get 2 offers though - one from an IB in their M&A division. The IB is alright although not absolute top tier (think post-GFC Citi, Nomura, RBS...). The other offer is from Deloitte in their Strategy & Operations division.My question is - which one places me in a better position to have another go at applying for MBB+B next year?My thinking, is that neither fundamentally increases my chances - because MBB+B seem to look for raw potential more than anything else - but that M&A might be a better option, not just because of the $$ but because its a tad more prestigious, and a stint in banking is stronger evidence of workhorse ethic. Also from what I hear Deloitte S&O is incredibly different to pure MC, and the leap from Big 4 to a strong pure strat house is difficult if not impossible?Put me in my place if I completely wrong!Cheers for your help :)

Hi Jason. Firstly congratulations on the two offers - you've done well to get them and either one will set you up with a good start to your career.First things first - let's put this notion to bed: "which one places me in a better position to have another go at applying for MBB+B next year?"[b]Neither one gives you the faintest chance of moving to MBB+B next year[/b] (and I say this as an ex-strategy consultant). The top strategy firms hire three streams of candidates: fresh uni grads, MBA grads and experienced hires. It's extremely rare to hire into the graduate entry scheme candidates who've already got a year of professional experience under their belts, so I would stop thinking in your mind that this is a route you might pursue as it's going to lead you to make the wrong choices now - and harm your chances of getting off to a strong start with whichever of these employers you end up joining.Experienced hires positions are for people who have amassed significant sector experience and where the consultancy is crying out for people with that specific sector experience. This route may or may not be open to you if you go into investment banking, but you're looking at being several years into your career before this option potentially opens up to you.The hiring of MBA grads would give you a fresh crack at getting in, provided you could secure a position at one of the world's top business schools. MBB hire at this level both MBAs with prior consulting experience and MBAs coming from a non-consulting background. So the only thing to check here would be that both options you have open to you would make it equally likely you could secure a place at INSEAD, LBS, Harvard, etc. However it should also be said that by the time you've spent several years in banking or consulting, you might graduate from the MBA not wanting to pursue the MBB option anyway (for a whole variety of reasons).My advice to you would be to decide which of the IB / DC options you are more attracted to now and to make a go of that. You're going to have great career options open to you whichever of these offers you take, but they are worlds apart in terms of what the next years of your career will be like and so I would invest your time in figuring out which is right for you.Hope this helps and good luck.Tony RestellTop-Consultant.com

Hi Tony,Thanks for such a thorough and helpful answer!You make alot of sense, I guess if there's no chance of sneaking into a grad program for MBB as a 1yr out student (was hopeful, but realise that its probably exceedingly rare), then I should take a more short to medium term view. Like you said, alot can change in a few years, who knows whether MBB will be in my crosshairs by then.Leaning towards taking the IB option, hopefully the exposure and experience will justify the no sleep and no life. After a few years, I think I'd have more options open like the MBA, and after a few more years could potentially move into consulting as an experienced hire...Oliver Wyman Financial Services Consulting?Anyway, thanks againCheers