I am in 9 grade now how do i land into MBB ?

Seniors and working professionals please help me build my career and share your experience

Learnings from you will indeed benefit me !

737 WSO Academy Consulting Session Reviews: 4.85/5

Royal Holloway, University of London

Class of '26 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.85/5

Management Consulting Career Roadmap (optional)

“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it. André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me. One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it. A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage. The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing. Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting. I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans. Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”

Class of '27 Apr 2026 Cohort

4.78/5

Management Consulting Mock Interview

“Ashley’s industry expertise and depth of knowledge in product strategy are immediately clear. In every session, she breaks down complex management frameworks into easily digestible insights. Her communication style is direct, clear, and empathetic. Rather than giving vague or generic career advice, she provides highly actionable takeaways—including specific templates for stakeholder communications, prioritization frameworks, and real-world examples from her own leadership background that I was able to implement directly into my team's workflow the very next day. Furthermore, her kind, patient, and approachable demeanor made it extremely comfortable to discuss tough workplace scenarios and honest skill gaps without fear of judgment.”

See All 11,101 WSO Academy Reviews

3 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

4mo

To land a role at MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) in the future, starting early is a great advantage. Based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s a roadmap tailored for you:

1. Focus on Academic Excellence

Strong Academic Performance: MBB recruiters highly value academic achievements. Aim for a high GPA (preferably above 3.7 on a 4.0 scale) and attend a selective undergraduate institution.
Standardized Tests: If applicable in your region, excel in standardized tests like the GMAT (aim for 700+ if you pursue an MBA later).
Honors and Awards: Strive for academic honors or recognition to strengthen your resume.

2. Build a Strong Resume

Extracurricular Activities: Engage in leadership roles in clubs, organizations, or competitions. Highlight achievements and impact.
Work Experience: Seek internships or part-time roles that demonstrate problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills.
Clear Communication: Develop strong writing and presentation skills, as these are critical for consulting.

3. Networking

Start Early: Build connections with alumni, professionals, and peers interested in consulting. Use platforms like LinkedIn to reach out.
Engage with MBB Events: Attend firm presentations, case competitions, and networking events. Every interaction with the firm is assessed.
Leverage School Networks: If you attend a target or semi-target school, connect with alumni working at MBB for guidance.

4. Case Interview Preparation

Join Consulting Clubs: Participate in consulting clubs or case prep groups during college.
Practice Cases: Familiarize yourself with case interview formats and practice extensively. Use resources like consulting prep books or mock interviews.
STAR-L Method: Master personal stories using the STAR-L framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Learning).

5. Explore Non-Traditional Paths

If you have a unique background (e.g., teaching, military, startups), research firms that value such experiences. Some firms have preferences for specific profiles.

6. Motivation and Presentation

Why Consulting?: Be clear about your motivations for consulting and why you’re interested in a specific firm.
Personal Stories: Develop 4-5 personal stories that showcase leadership, initiative, and achievements. These stories should be adaptable to various interview questions.

7. Long-Term Planning

Undergraduate Institution: Aim for a top-tier university or college.
MBA or Advanced Degree: Many MBB consultants pursue an MBA or advanced degree from a prestigious institution.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on industry trends and develop analytical and problem-solving skills.

By starting early, focusing on academics, building a strong resume, and networking effectively, you’ll set yourself up for success in the competitive MBB recruiting process. Good luck!

Sources: Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, My two cents on getting a job at MBB, How do I land a role at a commercial firm (JLL, CBRE, etc.) from scratch at 26?

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I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

plsfixtx

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4mo

Most Helpful

9th grade?? Enjoy high school my man, you have plenty of time. Beyond that, in true consulting fashion, I have 3 main recs for you:

1. Setup. If you back into it, getting into a good college is the highest ROI thing you have control over right now. To do that, get good grades in hard classes, find leadership opportunities in school activities/clubs/sports, get involved with your local community, but most importantly, do things that genuinely interest you / that you have fun doing. You'll get a lot farther by being enthusiastic and authentic rather than trying to be impressive.

2. Learn. Read daily news or listen to podcasts to build your business acumen and awareness of what's going on in the world. By the time recruiting hits in 6 years, you'll have familiarity with tons of different industries. For starters, I personally like WSJ, the All In podcast, and Harvard Business Review. YouTube is a bottomless pit of interesting stuff too.

3. Explore. Consider that there are a lot more professions and business-related jobs out there than consulting/MBB. Figure out what kind of life you want to live, how much money you want to make vs how much you're willing to work, what kind of people you like to be around, where in the country/world you like to live, what types of problems you like to solve, etc. MBB is a great way to defer that decision while building skills/exposure, but there's an equal benefit to identifying an industry/function early and becoming an expert.

Conventional prep like casing and networking can wait until college. Find a prom date first.

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I am in 9 grade now how do i land into MBB ?

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