"Average-ish"

These days what are the prospects of someone with around a 3.3 gpa from a top target (where grade deflation is rampant wink) landing a management consulting job upon graduation. I have ok ECs and two summers of finance-related work experience. Do I stand a chance? What companies should I be looking at? Thanks!

10 Comments
 

You have no chance whatsoever. Maybe look into McDonalds, k?

Some people.

But seriously, you have a decent shot at tier-2 firms depending on how much of a target your school really is.

 

Assuming you go to Princeton or MIT, you have very decent chances. I go to a lower Ivy, and I have friends that have gotten offers at Booz/Mercer/Deloitte/Accenture with GPA's in the 3.3-3.5 range. As long as you put in some work networking, you should be fine

Array
 

Yea I go to one of Princeton or MIT. I'm just worried that i might be screwed because a) my GPA is under a 3.5 b) My work experience in finance, but doesn't involve consulting, and c) I don't have any leadership positions on campus. Does anybody have a take on this? Thanks.

 
Best Response

Dude, are you kidding me. Why so defeatist? Unless you were kidding, in which case you're not funny :p

Basically you have a very good shot. You're clearly not average if you're at MIT/Princeton, even if your performance there has not put you in the top 25% of your class.

Just network hard, esp with your alums, and I'm sure you'll get an interview if you are relatively proficient socially. Then focus on practicing case interviews, and read more and more about the world of consulting (this forum is obviously great). The more you know, the better you'll do on the fit side of the interview. And needless to say the most you practice cases, the more likely you are to progress to the final round and hopefully land at a job. And not just at Tier 2s but hell you could yet do an M/B/B, though it won't be easy.

 
bbjhva Basically you have a very good shot. You're clearly not average if you're at MIT/Princeton, even if your performance there has not put you in the top 25% of your class.

You've never met a Princeton athlete. Far be it from me to weigh in on the OP's intelligence or aptitude, but there are plenty of unexceptional people at those two schools, and just about every other.

One of those lights, slightly brighter than the rest, will be my wingtip passing over.
 

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