McKinsey & Company Bain & Company How likely is it that I’ll make it to MBB middle east offices without an ivy league degree? A BCG opening is a great fit, have long consulting experience in the related field between Dubai, Saudi and Qatar. Also a bilingual (Arabic/english). I graduated with distinction in my university (Dubai based) but not ivy league. Currently working in the bay area, California.
Related Posts
More Posts
This fishbowl isn't really active, is it 🙄
Additional Posts in Consulting
July 4th, 1776. The original Brexit
How do you figure out who your spirit animal is?
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
No one on here is able to tell you the right answer. Only the recruiter from that office can. So apply!
If you have a referral anywhere in the world, it’ll help your chances
Source: I’m a non-Ivy experienced hire
Wrong, I can tell him.
You don’t need ivy background.
I was in Dubai office and ivy BUT lots there were not ivy; lots from top European MBA programs like Insead
You miss 100% of the shot that you don’t take.
That said, you should know better than I do that Middle Easterns are brand mongers
The majority of people on my teams in BCG Dubai didn't go to an Ivy League school. Do a quick LinkedIn search and prove it for yourself.
The Ivy League is eight schools in the Northeast of the United States. Lots of smart people come from a lot of other places.
Thank you! Didnt take it as a nitpick. Appreciate the explanation. I actually reached out to a friend who will refer me 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Chief
Not sure why you’re fixated on the ivy league degree part — having relevant work experience is way more important if you want to be an experienced hire. Ivy league pedigree certainly won’t hurt but that’s secondary
Thank you! Thats what the job description has, and what I hear of MBB! But I guess I shouldnt worry about it too much!
LolZ why would you need an ivy degree for a Middle East office?…there are no Ivy League schools there
Welp, I got that wrong 🤷🏽♂️ The job description says top tier not ivy league.
I think you should ask - what is the best way to achieve your goals, rather than if you can achieve them. The only thing someone can say after you have applied is no.
Having worked in Dubai I think your background sounds great. And while Dubai is a very brand conscious place - I would think someone with your experience would have a shot
Thank you so much! I will give it a try and see.
Ivy Leagues aren’t as meaningful in the rest of the world compared to the US — simply because there are a lot of great schools outside the US (Oxford, LSE, HEC, NUS etc.) and also in the US, which in many cases are better than the Ivy League unis. Target schools in the ME are global so will include both US and non-US top schools, including a few very good universities in the region like AUB or NYU AD. So I would say that you definitely don’t need an Ivy League degree, but you would need a very strong academic background like in all BCG offices. Just apply and see, and if you’re scared your academic background isn’t solid enough then focus on the work experience!
Depends on the subject e.g., LSE Economics is better than many Ivys in economics, same for instance with HEC Finance etc. And you’ll probably find a better job in Europe with a degree from a top French Grande École for instance than many of the Ivys (esp. Cornell, Brown etc.). Anyways it’s a very US-centric view in my opinion, although of course there is no doubt the Ivys are some of the world best universities.
Bainie from Middle East offices here, I’ve helped with recruitment in the past year and can confirm we recruit from some US schools that are not ivy
57.63% likely.
Thanks everyone for the very useful insights. Started with referral and applying for the three consultancies. Who knows, maybe you’ll see me in a couple of months if you are working in the gulf.