Hello and thanks for your question (and apologies for the delay in responding).

It seems to me that you really have three options.

- Go for a Harvard-style 2+2 program or just apply with your three years. Harvard has a program for young superstars that have two years of work experience. I'm not super familiar with it but it sounds like you might be a candidate (I don't know if the two is a hard two). In addition to 2+2 programs, you can also just apply with your three (I guess it will ultimately be three) years of work experience this fall. That's a bit early but not unprecedented and the fact that you have a job means that you are doing something right. Perhaps keeping your job is the new promotion!!

- A second option is to apply for strategy jobs. I can tell you that times are very tough in the strategy world right now but you might be able to find something w/ a boutique or niche outfit, especially if you're in a big city. Turnaround would be one logical place to start. Naturally, you can apply to business schools and apply to strategy firms at the same time though it might end up putting you in a complicated situation if you got an offer that you like from either one (I don't know which of those two I would choose if I were you so can't really give advice).

- Your third option is to stay where you are. As I said above, just keeping your job is an accomplishment in this economy so you've got something going for you there. Even if you can't get a promotion up, you can often (well, sometimes) make an interesting lateral move that will keep you stimulated and interested and broaden your work experience. Perhaps your audit group has an in-house strategy unit or there is a partner that works in an industry that you are interested in with whom you could collaborate.

A final thought: I had a client get into Harvard with a background that was similar to yours except for the fact that he had been very successful in a fascinating and cool personal hobby. So...it can be done.

My advice: think through your options, do some research on job opportunities in strategy / other areas in and out of your company, and leave yourself flexible as you get data based on your experience and research. Don't go in with a set path; stay flexible and open to course adjustments.

Keep me in the loop as your thinking evolves and if you have further questions--

Paxton