Is a career in consulting right for me?

Hey there,

Will try to answer some of your Qs, but others will need to chime in about the MBA stuff.

Maths for consulting

• In consulting, the only maths you will need is: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages. That's it. This is all the maths you need from AC/BA/A to Partner
• The value-add of algebra would be the ability to dynamically reframe small maths equations into something else, for example: using the profit equation to get the break-even formula
• Calculus (as someone who specifically did doctoral research in theoretical economics) will have 0 use other than being used to a higher level of complexity in maths making you very comfortable with run-of-the-mill calculations and equations in business

Undergrad for consulting

• Undergrad major doesn't really matter
• What is key is: 
  • grades (to demonstrate excellence)
  • extra curriculars (to demonstrate proactiveness, or what is often called "entrepreneurship")
  • ideally some work experience in the form of internships at some leading organisation in their field, which doesn't necessarily have to be business-related, could be in journalism at say the New York Times (to demonstrate ability to work, take on new challenges with real-world relevance and stakes, and that you can succeed outside of school)
• I know many many people at my MBB who have degrees (and previous work experience) in almost anything, from science to politics, and from economics to medical school or law school

Post grad for consulting

• In Europe it wouldn't matter much, but in the US I am not sure, although I believe most MBBs now are more open to different types of grad schools, from Law School to MPA to Med School and regular old PhDs
• Bain has ADvantage for example, for Advanced Degree candidates, McKinsey and BCG have similar programmes, I believe

Final thoughts

• This here is my personal opinion, but if you know your end goal and interests, it doesn't seem to me that consulting will necessarily be the best route for it
• As a caveat, I should add that there many consulting firms specialising in government work (and most other big ones have dedicated practices), so you could get a second-degree exposure that way, think of Booz Allen Hamilton in the US for example