What does it take to get a job at an MBB from a non-target school?

I'm a third-year student at a non-target university (big state school) and want a job at an MBB firm. I have a 30 ACT, 3.75 GPA (Quantitative Analysis major), and am working at GS doing Risk analysis next summer. I also have other internship experience in data science and coding.

MBB firms don't recruit on campus at my school and the alumni network is weak. I'm retaking the ACT (I want a 32-33) and trying to get my GPA up to a 3.8 by next summer. I'm networking as much as I can using LinkedIn and slowly building contacts at these firms amongst others (Deloitte, EY, Booz, etc). I'm also hiring a case tutor.

Anyone have any suggestions for other activities I could be doing to make myself a better candidate? Do I even have a shot at a first-round interview at these firms?

5 Comments
 

sounds weird for you to retake ACT as a junior..... you probably can consider take GRE or GMAT instead.

For ECs, try to get more consulting related experiences. Like be on executive board for your local consulting club, participating in a (maybe firm sponsored) case competition, etc.

 

Thanks for the advice. The only reason I want to retake the ACT is because I think it'd be easier to prep for than the GMAT or GRE...I already have a 30 so I think it'd be easier to increase. Do you think prepping for the latter tests would be a better use of time?

 

It is easy so it is weird. Not saying you have to take some test, just that if you have allocated time for ACT, you better off spend that time in GRE/GMAT. In that case, you would have two scores on your resume and that would be better than just one. I agree with others that the most important thing for you to do is definitely networking.

 
Most Helpful

Hey I'm from a nontarget and this was my path to landing interviews at MBB:

(I started in sophomore year)

Academics: State School, Big 10, 3.9, President/VP in three organizations on campus - talked about these three high impact positions in interviews + phone calls

Case Prep: 121 partner cases, 67 cases read alone, 502 math sets completed, 74 case structure starts

Networking 400+ emails sent out (I'm too lazy to count them), 80+ phone chats, 30+ informal referrals, 12 strong pulls, Bought a school's ID from a neighboring target to sneak into their career events

Bottom Line: Your stats are fine. The only difference between you failing and you landing a position/interview at the MBB is the grind. Are you going to pick up the phone and network with professionals + case practice every day after work? I'm going to be honest, I worked in a BB in a similar role with 55-60 hrs/week and then went home to grind for 2+ hrs and went to sleep. I repeated that for two summers. Just keep grinding and good luck will come. Shoot me a pm if you want to chat more.

 

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