1st vs 2:1 for Strategy Consulting

Does a First Class in Economics at a 'target uni' (e.g. Oxbridge/LSE) hold much more weight over a 2:1? I'm interested in applying for grad roles in strategy consulting next year and think I'll probably end up on a 2:1 (around 67%). Would that be an issue or is a 2:1 good enough to get an interview at MBB/S&/OW etc? I have 2 society leadership positions, a consulting internship (not a strategy one) this summer and some other finance internships (non-brand name).

 
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Short answer - 2:1 is fine.

Longer answer - A 1st would obvioulsy be better, but if you're already at Oxbridge / LSE, the value added will be lower than if you came from, say Leeds. Since you already have the "university name" part down and are on track for a solid grade with your 2:1, the main thing is to ensure you also have:

  1. leadership experiences through extracurriculars if possible (any society / sports / or thing outside of university where you did more than just show up)
  2. ideally an internship at a top organisation (industry isn't super important, as long as it's one of the better firms in that)
  3. (maybe) a referral, can't hurt

Since you have most of those already, it will be about the prep + ensuring your CV / cover letter are up to par:

  • emphasise outcomes and not processes / tasks
  • display qualities you know are value by strat consulting firms (easy peasy, go on website, About Us section, and look at the "Core Principles" or whatever they're called at each firm)
  • have a good story for why consulting (it is fine if the story is that you want to build a diverse skillset in the short to medium term before exploring further opportunities later in your career)
  • obviously prep the online tests + case interviews + behavioural questions (STAR method only for those, never deviate) properly
 

Hi,

I went through the recruitment process this year for summer internships and had interviews with most of the strategy consulting firms (not MBB but think I messed up their tests). But that was when my CV had Expected First, now if I'm on course for 67% not sure if I can still say Expected First so was wondering if that would reduce my chances. 

Thanks for your reply! I'll definitely look into improving in those areas. 

 

Always better to have better credentials but from top targets it's not even necessary to have a 2.1 (depending on your extracurriculars and internships). I graduated with a (low) 2.2 and didn't have any problems getting into both most of the MBBs and some T2s in London.

 

I applied October after graduation so I put (actual, not predicted) 2:2 on all the application forms that asked for grades and nothing about grades on CV.

 

How'd you get this? Do you reckon it'd be possible to find these for some of the banks?

 

FFS get a 1st, it consistutes 30-40% of degrees at those universities now. Not in charge of recruiting but would seriously ding any applicants for any job from a UK university without a 1st post-pandemic. How hard can it be to be in the first third of your class.

 

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