Consulting Pre-MBA Programs

Friends,

I have yet to find a really comprehensive post anywhere on the internet about pre-mba internships in consulting. I do understand that they are far from a requirement. But I'm struggling with getting a few questions answered:

1. Is there a list of pre-mba programs that are not diversity focused (white male here)? I know of McKinsey, Deloitte, BCG and Bain's chats. If second tier firms offer internships, are any of them worth pursuing?

2. Does anybody know the length of these programs, when they start, whether any of them offer compensation outside of the scholarships, whether it is similar to a summer internship in terms of lifestyle, travel etc? Deloitte's immersion weekend is the only one I feel like I have a good grasp of.

3. What is the story with BCG's internships? I haven't found ANYTHING current on the web but a contact there checked with HR and they definitely offer them.

4. If I'm offered a pre-MBA opportunity at, say, McKinsey, is it a negative to then turn it down? I have a growing desire to do some international travel this summer, but there are extenuating factors so I won't know if I can for a few months.

5. If I do a BANKING pre-MBA, does that hurt my chances at consulting, and vice versa? I assume I would just leave it off my resume if need be and nobody would know the difference.

Any insights you have, either through experience or second-hand, would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

 
  1. Is there a list of pre-mba programs that are not diversity focused (white male here)? I know of McKinsey, Deloitte, BCG and Bain's chats. If second tier firms offer internships, are any of them worth pursuing?

i doubt it, because that'd be illegal pursuant to employment laws.

  1. Does anybody know the length of these programs, when they start, whether any of them offer compensation outside of the scholarships, whether it is similar to a summer internship in terms of lifestyle, travel etc? Deloitte's immersion weekend is the only one I feel like I have a good grasp of.

Knowing isn't equal to having offers. It's better to compare your offers than applying to only those that fits your specific preferences

  1. What is the story with BCG's internships? I haven't found ANYTHING current on the web but a contact there checked with HR and they definitely offer them.

Idk.

  1. If I'm offered a pre-MBA opportunity at, say, McKinsey, is it a negative to then turn it down? I have a growing desire to do some international travel this summer, but there are extenuating factors so I won't know if I can for a few months.

If you apply then you're probably interested? MBB opportunities are often gold internships that will boost your career.

  1. If I do a BANKING pre-MBA, does that hurt my chances at consulting, and vice versa? I assume I would just leave it off my resume if need be and nobody would know the difference.

If you leave it off your resume, then you probably have nothing on your resume.... and banking doesn't hurt, but often there is the 2-year entry analyst periods for IB/consulting---they can make you quality for PE/VC, or the ultra-competitive sorts.

 

Seems like people are missing the point. OP, most of these programs are only a few days long, and are more geared towards networking. I think Vanderbilt or another school had a nice list of programs, but 99% of them were diversity events.

So basically, I wouldn't worry about "reneging" because they are just offering to fly you down to their office and sell you on their "culture."

I wouldn't worry about banking hurting you, I think it helps to see you are interested in learning about different companies and you are proactive to reach out while everyone else is traveling, etc.

I've been looking into BCG's as well, and haven't found anything.

 
Best Response
TwoThrones:
Seems like people are missing the point. OP, most of these programs are only a few days long, and are more geared towards networking. I think Vanderbilt or another school had a nice list of programs, but 99% of them were diversity events.

So basically, I wouldn't worry about "reneging" because they are just offering to fly you down to their office and sell you on their "culture."

I wouldn't worry about banking hurting you, I think it helps to see you are interested in learning about different companies and you are proactive to reach out while everyone else is traveling, etc.

I've been looking into BCG's as well, and haven't found anything.

Thanks, this is about as far as I've gotten too. It would be great if companies put clearer expectations on their web pages about length of program etc (I know some clearly say it is a weekend but others do not). But it can't hurt either way.

Good luck in your search, and at b-school.

 

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