Rising junior @ target uni, thinking of a gap year between my 2nd/3rd years. How do consulting recruiters view applicants who have taken a gap year?
I'm a current second-year at a semi-target for consulting (lower Ivy League). I'm thinking of taking a gap year next year to explore professional opportunities (think startups, VC, SWE, some consulting) and get away from the whole COVID situation that probably won't get better for a while. I'm wondering what consulting recruiters think of applicants that have gapped in the middle of their undergraduate years? Is it generally favorable, generally unfavorable? Is it a make-or-break element of the application? I've heard consulting typically likes students that check off certain boxes in a predictable manner, so I'm kinda curious to hear about this. Any thoughts?
following
If the experience is good they'll like it a lot, if you just do nothing and party, they won't
As long as you can talk about what you did during your gap year, it's totally fine. In most cases, candidates are able to gain additional work experience that might help them get interviews. I was in your exact shoes a couple years ago and took a gap year after my sophomore year in college. Worked some internships that ended up helping me secure my current MBB job in a top tier office.
tl;dr: don't do nothing
I think its important to note as well, that with COVID, I'm sure firms will be more understanding as gap years seem to be more common during this period
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