I have a middling CV. Decent university, non-oxbridge. And I'm 33. Assuming I gain entry to LBS or Insead (please, let's just assume for now), would I stand a chance of a job at an MBB? I'd be 36 at graduation from LBS, for example. Really my question is: would I be counted out because I'd be too old, even with a top MBA?

The MBBs will interview you, assuming your background suits, and you will have to be exceptional to beat the younger competition. Hope that helps your confidence .....

36 wouldn't be counted as over-the-hill - plenty of Associate hires are in their mid-30s by the time they join. Consultancy is less age-discriminating than banking, for example. However, you might encounter more questions than usual that try to ascertain your willingness to work long hours, abandon your family (if you have one) for business trips, etc. If you're 36 and feeling it, it might be an issue. If you're 36 going on 30 then it shouldn't be an issue.

I think you would have little chance especially if your cv is middling.Also why would you want to work for MBB? It is massive hours, lots of travel, no social life, harsh environment - sometimes unpleasant......majority only do it because they hope it opens doors to something else later.....and if you are already 36 why bother?

Gerry, what is your work history. mid 30's is pretty late to be doing an MBA isn't it distinct from an Exec MBA?

Forget MBA! I came out last year end 2009 at 33 from the most prestigious in Italy and the recruiting was (and still is..) a mess! Even people - the italian ones - attending LBS or Insead had a lot of troubles! Consulting recruiting shrank a lot, they basically have a country approach; in your case, London is the most international place, and for this very competitive.. how could you beat the competition of young graduates coming from LBS, Harvard, Wharton, ready for hours of data-crunching and slides making? Take also in consideration that IB recruiting also shrank, and MBA people willing to enter the IB in M&A tipycally switch to consulting. Anyway, London and UK are not of course as awful as Italy, so an EMBA in your case would be definitely better and more useful!

so what did you end up doing, Alex? Did you try something else?