JD to Consulting - Who hires? Chances?
I am finishing up my second year at a top 14 law school and currently have around a 3.33 GPA. My undergrad degree is from Berkeley (Haas) with a 3.7 GPA.
Looking through the websites of the top consulting firms I can only confirm that Bain and McKinsey start J.D.s at a higher salary. Many of the other firms say they hire advanced degrees, but are silent as to whether they start off at a higher level. Are there any other firms that do?
Also, given my background, what are my chances at Bain/McKinsey? Does my law gpa kill me?
How to Get Into Consulting from Law School
While obtaining a JD is not the typical path into consulting, it’s not an impossible transition. As with any interview process you’ll need to:
- Network aggressively
- Learn as much as you can about the consulting industry
- Try for an internship in the industry
As you learn about the consulting industry, you'll learn about the importance of mastering case interviews. Taking strategy courses at the B-school as part of your law degree electives can help you learn about these, as well as demonstrate your interest in the field. Speaking with alumni who may have made the transition from law school to consulting can also offer insight on the case interview process.
WSO community members also offer the following encouragement:
- GPA doesn’t seem to matter as much to consulting firms, they focus more on how well-rounded you are, how well you do in the cases, etc.
- Check out other “strategy” shops like Booz or ATK
- Pay for advanced degrees seems to vary by firm
Recommended Reading
- BCG – Advanced Degrees – JD
- McKinsey Tips for Advanced Professional Degree Candidates
- Bain – Advanced Degree Candidates
- Stats for JD MBB
- Low GPA No Experience – How to Get Into Consulting
Preparing for Consulting Interviews?
The WSO consulting interview course is designed by countless professionals with real world experience, tailored to people aspiring to break into the industry. This guide will help you learn how to answer these questions and many, many more.
http://www.jdoasis.com/
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I ran across bunch of JD students during my interviews with McK, mostly from what I remember from Penn, Georgetown and Harvard. In my first round group interview session, probably 50% were law students. During the recruitment process with BCG and Bain, I don't recall ever interacting with a law student. That doesn't mean they don't recruit them. My experience is just a data point.
Need Advice for Entering Consulting (JD/MPP student) (Originally Posted: 03/29/2013)
Hello monkeys,
What would be the best way to get my foot in the management consulting industry if I am a current dual degree student at a top 5 law school and Harvard Kennedy School? I have been applying to summer internships everywhere and have no received any interest. MBB firms have told me that they will not speak to me until the last summer before graduation. Any advice is appreciated.
Network from now until recruiting for the summer before you graduate. Apply. Kick ass on the cases. Get offer. If you want consulting experience before then, then you should look into boutique/smaller firms in the area and see what they say. Otherwise, try to get internships in other industries.
I am a JD from another non-top 6 law school going into MBB. I don't think chances from lower ranked law school is any more difficult than from HYS--i can't say as to the difference from MBAs. It seems pretty much that once you get an interview, it's all about your performance. At all three MBBs, JDs start off at the same level/salary as MBAs. Will be the same case as PhDs and MDs, but other masters degrees seem to start off at a senior pre-MBA level. FWIW, though, it does seem that Bain is a little less interested than the other two. But I also did absolutely zero networking outside the online applications, so maybe that might help. As for GPA--I had a much lower GPA and it didn't seem to bother them much. You might also look into other "strategy" firms such as Booz, ADL or ATK. Their process isn't as streamlined so you have to do a bit more reaching out, but the contacts seemed pretty willing to talk to me--just happened to get the offer from MBB before I had a chance to talk to them.
Ivy League Law Student looking to break into consulting, possibly IB (Originally Posted: 05/28/2014)
So I just finished up my first year of law school. Given my past experiences, I believe that consulting will be a better match with my skill set, and will also be more enjoyable. Other than prepping for case interviews and networking aggressively, are there any other tips that you would give someone in my position?
I also want to try my hand at IB. But frankly, I know very little about the application/interview process. Can anyone shed light on this and give me a few good sources to prep for interviews?
Thanks
Thanks for all the replies. I go to a school w/ a top 5 MBA program, but why does the strength of the MBA program matter? Is it just b/c of access to some of their networking events?
I know for undergrad applicants people talk about cutoffs, but I guess law gpa doesn't matter as much? Do you know if those other firms start you off at the undergrad level salary or at some higher level? Thanks.
Sorry, I should have been clearer - that's exactly right. If McKinsey and BCG don't recruit at your school (and they don't actively recruit at many law schools) then you have to find a way to network in - the best way is to find out when the MBA presentations are, go to MBA networking events and get yourself some contacts at the firm in the offices you want to apply for. This isn't possible unless MBB recruits at the mba program of the university you attend.
Since you do go to a school with a top MBA program, you might consider taking a strategy class or two before you graduate, if they allow it. This will 1) better demonstrate your interest in the subject, and 2) give you additional contacts to leverage (both students, and a prof or two). I'm a non-MBA grad student at UChicago, and am taking 2 strategy classes from the Booth program as electives for my own degree, to supplement my odds of getting an interview / gig at MBB.
how's cornell
Not cool...
...but probably true.
I think you can make a good case to go work at a Rothschild or some RX shop given the law background.
Law School needs to be Harvard, Columbia, or Yale. Otherwise, probably difficult to pull off consulting. IB is harder to predict since there is less formal recruiting at law schools.
best consultant I ever worked with at MBB graduated from a nothing jd/mba program. Total rockstar. I think he got an interview with a little bit of networking and legwork, but after that it was all cruising.
JD ----> Consulting associate (Originally Posted: 11/25/2008)
At this point I think it will be easier for me to get into a top law school (top 6) than to get a consulting or banking job. I do plan to apply for an MBA during my first year of law school. If I get in, then I'll just switch into that, though I'm not holding my breath.
How hard is it to make the transition from law school to consulting? I know MBB hire at law schools, but how competitive is it?
Thanks.
Could you explain what exactly made him so successful?
It's hard. This year in particular. I'm at a top 3 school and McKinsey took almost no one. In past years they took a handful, maybe 3 out of 12 that interviewed. That said, they seem to earnestly want law students, it's just that law students get lazy about interviews since law interviews are a joke, and then get caught off guard by all the cases and stuff.
Why would a top MBA program want a 1L who clearly has no direction in his life without any work experience? Good luck buddy
I would have a JD by the time I start.
The only way you are going to get hired by an MBB/similar right out of law school is if you bring a particular legal specialty to the table that a firm is in dire need of. Otherwise, you really need to have prior work experience to justify your value to a firm.
Can anyone comment on IBD Analyst -> Consutling (analyst)? Is that common at all? Do consulting firms even recruit "off cycle" i guess?
This seems like an extremely stupid, time consuming, and expensive way to get into consulting. Why don't you just try to get a consulting job now and apply for an MBA later? Or if you still insist on staying in school, why not get a 1-year masters from LSE or something?
Work in law for 3 years and if you're at a top firm you'll have your pick of consulting/banking, provided you went to a top 10 law school and aren't a shitty attorney.
um, i think you have some misconceptions on how easy it is to lateral out of biglaw into banking/consulting.
yes, it's done. but no, it's not like the banks and consulting firms are clamoring for you and honored to be graced by your presence, unless you're a senior partner who's about to bring in a giant book of clients.
I was planning on doing this, but I think its a really bad idea. I've talked to numerous alums who have done it and lawyers who haven't and they all say the same thing.
If you don't want to be a lawyer and intend on having a law career, don't go to law school...period.
You can always change your mind and go later
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