Question On MBB FT recruiting

Currently a rising senior at a semi-target. Have a 3.73 GPA and a strong consulting internship at PwC this summer. I have networked with all 3 companies for the office I want. Still getting varied answers as to when applications truly open. Few questions:

Does anyone know when each app actually opens for FT?

When will they actually start interviewing and how much prep should I really do for cases as I haven’t done a lot?

What should be my backups besides MBB? - pretty sure I can transfer to strat& FT after return offer but just incase.

4 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content:

  1. When do MBB applications open for full-time?

    • MBB firms have been shifting their timelines earlier in recent years. For full-time recruitment, some firms like McKinsey have introduced earlier deadlines in July for candidates with "exploding offers" or those ready to enter the process. However, traditional deadlines in September still exist for many applicants. It's best to check directly with each firm's website or your university's career center for the most accurate dates.
  2. When will interviews start, and how much prep is needed?

    • Interviews typically begin shortly after the application deadlines, often in late summer or early fall. Given that you haven’t done much case prep yet, it’s crucial to start immediately. Aim for at least 30-40 cases before your interviews to build confidence and fluency. Utilize resources like WSO’s Consulting Case Interview Prep, mock interviews, and professional resume reviews to sharpen your skills.
  3. What should be your backups besides MBB?

    • If MBB doesn’t work out, consider other top-tier consulting firms like Oliver Wyman, LEK Consulting, and Cornerstone Research, which also offer strong professional growth opportunities. Additionally, since you have a strong internship at PwC, transferring to Strategy& for full-time is a solid backup plan. Other firms like Deloitte S&O or EY-Parthenon could also be great options.

Make sure to leverage your PwC experience and networking efforts to stand out in your applications. Good luck!

Sources: When are MBBs beginning full time recruitment? How much time should I spend networking?, Case study interview for MBB consulting - 24 of my best tips on how to get in, Q&A: Recent graduate starting at MBB soon, Consulting Recruiting 2023, 2019 APD MBB Full Time Recruiting

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

Can’t really answer the rest, but your backups should be tiers 2s:

  • Oliver Wyman
  • EY Parthenon
  • LEK
  • Kearney
  • Roland Berger (T2 in Europe, idk about the US)
  • OC&C (also Tied 2 in Europe, idk about the US)
  • Strategy&

    If you can convert to S& then that would great, but I would check that this is the case since it’s considered quite differently than pwc consulting and is much more competitive.

 

Pretty sure application dates are public, managementconsulted.com is accurate as far as I know

For my MBB experience last cycle, I received notice that I was extended a R1 interview ~1.5 weeks after applying and the interview itself was scheduled another ~1.5 weeks after that (roughly 3 weeks from application date to interview)

It’s difficult to give a blanket statement on how many cases you should do before interviewing, everyone progresses differently. I personally did around 40 live cases (some of those were from the previous year when I was prepping for internship recruiting) and felt well prepared. Anecdotally, it seems like 15-20 cases is on the lower end and 50+ is the higher end. Whatever it takes for you to feel confident.

Strat& is amazing and if you’re able to transfer you’re in a great place. Regardless, PwC is a solid option if you are unable to transfer. Since that would be your floor, some firms you should consider are:

Feel free to PM me if you want to talk further.

 

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