Seeking Advice on Career Path

Hi everyone,

I'm a second-year Business Administration student at the University of Amsterdam, and I am in desperate need of advice regarding my career path, particularly because I am unsure about my chances at pursuing my Master's at a top-tier school like The London Business School.  Also I was initially interested in investment banking, but have pivoted towards consulting as it seemed to fit my preferences and interest more, insurance is an option as well but consulting still has the edge.

Also, I've discussed these career plans with my parents, especially my dad, but they always inderictly infer that I shouldn't be aiming this high as positions at top firms like these are reserved for only the most exceptional students, which has been a bit discouraging for me tbh. I’d really appreciate some advice from those who have been in similar situations or who have successfully navigated this path.

So my questions are essentially as following:

1. Given my current academic record and experiences, how competitive would I be for a program at a top business school like London Business School, and are there any additional steps I should be taking to improve my chances?

2. I'm very interested in an internship at one of the Big Three (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) to see if that career path is really for me. Is there anything specific that firms look for in candidates from non-target schools?

3. I’m planning on enrolling in an honors program this year to further enhance my academic profile. Do you have any recommendations on other activities or roles that would be particularly beneficial? Should I be considering something beyond the usual route of internships and honors programs?