Chances at MBB 1st round interview

Hello!

I am currently a sophomore at a semi-target/non target and have my eyes set on MBB for an internship next summer (after junior year). I am an engineering major at a top 10 program, with a 3.75 and decent test scores (2100+ SAT). I have done some work for a small consulting firm (which has some big name clients) and will be interning at a Fortune 100 non-consulting firm this summer, most likely as a project manager. I am decently involved around campus (member of 3 organizations and play on multiple intramural teams, and will look to hold a small leadership position in one of the organizations next semester). I am mostly worried about my lack of a target school, the lack of any really prestigious awards, and leadership positions.

Do you think I have a chance at MBB 1st round interviews? Any advice?

Thank you!

10 Comments
 
Orichalon

It's impossible to say. Most people have a chance at 1st round, it's just the vast, vast majority don't realise that chance for whatever reason. I would have thought it likely you get rejected at initial screening due to school, but give it your best shot and who knows.

That is most definitely not true. Most people do not have a chance at 1st round, even at target schools. MBB recruiting is very structured. It usually comes down to GPA, work experience, leadership experience, and networking. One of these categories tend to screen out most people because the criteria are set high due to the limited number of spots.

For the OP: There's a big difference between a semi-target and a non-target. If you're at a semi-target, you have a fairly good chance after some networking. If you're at a non-target, it'll be an uphill battle. You'll need to network very hard.

 
pnb2002 Orichalon:

It's impossible to say. Most people have a chance at 1st round, it's just the vast, vast majority don't realise that chance for whatever reason. I would have thought it likely you get rejected at initial screening due to school, but give it your best shot and who knows.

That is most definitely not true. Most people do not have a chance at 1st round, even at target schools. MBB recruiting is very structured. It usually comes down to GPA, work experience, leadership experience, and networking. One of these categories tend to screen out most people because the criteria are set high due to the limited number of spots.

For the OP: There's a big difference between a semi-target and a non-target. If you're at a semi-target, you have a fairly good chance after some networking. If you're at a non-target, it'll be an uphill battle. You'll need to network very hard.

I disagree. Those without the GPA, work experience, leadership experience and networking won't get to the first round. Once you're there, unless it's marginal, it's the interview performance that matters. It's not really a point worth arguing though. Good luck to the OP.

 

your only chance at any top firm that doesn't recruit at your school is networking, and if you're good enough at networking then anything can happen, so start sending some emails champ!

 
Best Response

Even at a target, networking is vital. Your credentials seem to be solid enough, so start practicing your case interview skills hardcore through live practice cases (if you get a shot you want to be ready) and start reaching out to people. Also, MBB hires the majority of their FT from outside their internship programs, so start reaching out to people from second-tier consulting firms for a summer internship you would be able to leverage into interviews for FT at MBB your senior year if you do not get the internship with MBB.

 

Thank you for your replies. I will definitely be networking in the time leading up to recruiting season. As far as my school goes, we are actually more of a semi-target. We are a target for one of MBB and a semi-target for the other two. We have people go MBB from my school every year, albeit they are typically some of the school's top students.

 

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