Non targets to MBB

While investment banks have diversity initiatives in place and wayy more leeway for non targets, MBB and just consulting in general don’t have any for non targets.

How could someone from U Minnesota say, make a case to apply to NYC’s McKinsey office. I feel like going to a non target you already don’t have the luck of the draw because you probably aren’t in the big city.

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you have to network and try to be in your school’s consulting/business clubs. get solid gpa, leadership and internship experience and reach out to junior level ppl you remotely have anything in common with and ask to coffee chat. it is possible, i know so many non target school people who got in (not diversity). would consider trying to apply for less popular offices (for example mckinsey’s minneapolis office you could make a better case for)

 

I've noticed this trend across a few posts. I think students need to answer to themselves whether they're looking to work in consulting because they like the work or because they specifically want to exclusively work at the three most recognized, and globally competitive consulting firms in the world. I get that those three consulting firms are taking on great initiatives and have an abundance of resources to invest in talent, but the world of consulting is larger than just those three firms. 

I've also seen stellar folks with years at Big Four consulting or OW, LEK, Roland, (and so forth) not even get an interview for one reason or another. These firms are globally competitive for a reason - the top 1% apply for their limited internship and FT positions. 

In contrast, there are smaller boutique firms that provide great experiences and some specific ones I can think of (more regional, albeit) that even provide comparable pay. I'll be honest, making into MBB even from a Top 15 undergrad in the States is tough, you have have a solid profile to even make it to the interview stage and then prep for 1-2 months to maybe be granted an offer. I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but many, many folks pursuing consulting apply to MBB along with the other twenty or odd so firms that resonate with the work they're looking to get into. 

My two cents is this,

If you're looking to get into strategy consulting, do the work: (1) join or found a consulting club, take part in case competitions at your university or others open to everyone, (2) perform decently well academically with a 3.7 or greater in GPA, (3) take on leadership initiatives or executive positions within University clubs, (4) secure a corporate experience (corporate finance, corporate strategy, corporate development, some form of advisory or professional service experience), (5) network with local firms to understand the recruitment landscape and then... (6) prepare for the interview process and case interviews.

If you're looking to get into MBB, be prepared for the long haul with potentially needing to do an MBA or working a few years in another consulting firm first. 

 
Most Helpful

Easily the most annoying user on WSO consulting rn.

This guy posted nearly the same exact thing (Are non-targets cooked for MBB) before attacking people over their advice, insisting that he's at a target and this is purely an "emotional stake," ranting about how he can't find any rushees that can bench the bar at his 'top' fraternity, how he knows 'Bezos types', that "There are Indian CEOs from buttfuck India," and how all Wharton kids have acne smeared across their faces.

No shot this kid got a bid. Stop spamming reposts and self-bumps.

 

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