GPA for tier 2/tier 3 firms?
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to enter consulting as a possible career field and am weighing my options right now to decide whether I can major in engineering and keep a high enough GPA, or just major in business. I am likely going to end up at a large public (Berkeley, Michigan, UVA). I will obviously aim for MBB, but I don't want to be stressed about not getting a consulting job altogether through college. For a STEM major at a school like above, what is the average (not minimum) GPA to land interviews at places like Big 4, LEK, Wyman, Accenture?
Another thing to consider is if I choose to major in engineering I will not be in the business schools, so no Ross, McIntire, Haas, etc. How much will this affect my chances? Should I just major in business?
Hard to say what the average GPA for a class is because consultants come from such varied backgrounds that their individuality trumps GPA. You could be a business major with prior consulting experience and be hired with a 3.7 GPA or be an engineer with previous highly technical experience which demonstrates problem-solving skills (crucial for consulting) and have a 3.5 GPA. To play it safe, aim for 3.5. Some firms may say minimum 3.3. but you'll have to boost other factors in order to get in with those grades.
3.5 as an average / safe GPA is too low. In my experience I've seen it become a problem for people below 3.7.
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Pulling a 3.7 in engineering seems tough at state schools mentioned above with pretty heavy grade deflation. I’m pretty set on doing consulting however, would it be advisable to major in business instead then?
Not sure I agree. What were there background? I agree that in some cases it isn't safe but it really depends on the discipline. You're telling me if you came across a candidate with a mechanical engineering degree with a 3.5/3.6 GPA, did a bunch of ECs and interned at some super cool engineering firm you wouldn't even be curious to get to know them at a R1 interview? Hmm...
I’ll lend my n of 1: STEM major (engineering) at a large state school known more for football than academics, now at a T2. Pulled a 3.6 (roughly equivalent across major / non-major).
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