Do you really need to be a superstar?
I've been spending a lot of time reading through the posts in this forum trying to figure out what it really takes to get into a top tier consulting firm but I still feel pretty clueless. Some posters make getting an interview sound like a cakewalk, while others contend that you have to attend an ivy and get a 3.9. Does anyone have any real answers? Of course I know that there is a range of candidates who get accepted into top tier firms, not just one specific profile, but If anyone can offer any guidance that would be much appreciated.
I am an Econ undergrad at NYU with a 3.8 and 2 years of F500 finance work, planning on applying for a consulting internship next summer. What are my chances for a summer analyst position at MBB or of full time employment later? Thanks in advance!
I think some of the cluelessness stems from the fact that MBB casts a wide net when interviewing and determining to whom to give offers. Frankly, very few of us actually know what these firms' cutoffs are, so I wouldn't listen to anyone who isn't an insider. Also, be aware of the prestige factor. It's a big deal at most targets to snag a MBB interview. Therefore, people naturally have a tendency to make their accomplishments seem much more amazing than they really are (i.e. saying things like firm X's cutoff this year was a 3.8, which is ridiculous, because that would mark a bias toward students in easy liberal arts majors who have an easier time getting a 4.0 than people in more rigorous majors).
Like all things in recruiting, your interview chances depend upon who you are. People get interviews for a number of reasons--ethnicity, GPA, coursework, ECs, work experience, networking, and just plain luck. Anyone who sits here and says you're guaranteed anything is not being truly honest. That said, the better your grades, the more active you are on campus, the more prestigious your previous work experience, the more likely you'll be successful in getting an interview. It also never hurts to be from an underrepresented background, as MBB has had a lot of trouble finding and attracting talented diversity candidates.
For instance, I can tell you for a fact that people who snag killer BB internships sophomore year in IBD, S&T, and ER are almost shoe-ins to get selected junior year for MBB interviews. Why? Because those people have already beat the odds to get good jobs a year before everyone else in their class, indicating that they are better MBB candidates than other students.
My guidance to you is, since your GPA is already high enough, that you really look in the mirror and evaluate whether you are doing all you can do extracurricularly. Is there a consulting club or other related activity on campus that would make your interest well-known to recruiters when they evaluate your resume? Also, network your ass off. If you're so worried, I would recommend going to the FT recruiting events in the fall to meet people and ask them questions, particularly if you're interested in working out of a smaller, non-East Coast offices. People from these offices are often at these events and you can get a feel for the type of work they do and how it may differ from the opportunities in NYC or Boston. They can also serve as ongoing contacts that you can lean upon during the SA season, when you'll be evaluating firm differences and preparing for case interviews.
Your chances for an MBB internship are slim. Your best option is to aim for an internship at Deloitte, leverage it into interviews with MBB for FT recruiting. It is different standards for different schools and at NYU the bar is set higher than it is at the Ivies.
Deloitte internship? Please...
? Care to elaborate?
But it helps
Hey man, you probably won't get an internship coming from NYU - based on the fact that they didn't really take any interns from there the past few years (maybe a handful?). McKinsey is arbitrarily prestige hungry. I think Michigan's Ross school is probably the "worst" program that they recruit for the summer program. And thats a top 5 business program. I would get a banking internship (which are easier to get) and leverage into consulting.
Obviously still try, who knows, and if the rest of your resume is great then its sure a possibility.
I wouldn't quit say that it's impossible to get into McKinsey coming from a non-top 5 business program. I interned with an individual from Davidson College in Charlotte, NC. After the internship (Trading internship at a BB), she got a full-time offer at McKinsey. That said, I'm not saying it's easy. She was very bright and I'm sure she nailed the cases interviews. But this is a prime example proving that it is still possible.
My advice -
Take the responses you receive with a grain of salt. Many of the members on this board aren't entirely qualified to offer a substantiated opinion.
You have a 3.8 GPA at NYU. Secure a solid internship next summer and do all you can to leverage that into a consulting role. It's not impossible - just work hard to create your own opportunities.
If you go to NYU you won't get an offer for the summer. I am qualified to say that. This is based on the fact that no one from NYU has gotten summer internships in the past. However, you could be the first one.
You will not get an internship but by interning at a lesser firm, you have a very good shot at full-time; good shot = I would be surprised if you don't get an interview at one of MBB.
mlamb - if you were referring to me... I'm basically the only regular poster on this board with recent experience in top-tier strategy consulting (as far as I know).
I wasn't referring to you in particular. You post quite regularly on this forum and it's clear that you know what you're talking about.
I was speaking in a more general sense. Over the past few weeks, I've found the value-added of this board to be a bit diluted with responses that clearly are coming from those without actual industry experience.
All that being said, there's far too many of these type of posts on this site. While I can understand someone wanting to size themselves up vs. the field, the question itself is pretty rhetorical. Go to a target school, get good grades/solid internship experience, and you have a shot. If you don't meet one of the above criteria, you need to network to find a way in. This concept is pretty fundamental.
I just started in MBB (east coast office, but working on the west coast) and I interned at so Ia IB BB so I know a bit about the differences between SA and FT recruitment
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