Hi everyone,
Thought I'd start a thread for 2015 McKinsey insight and BCG bridge2BCG status updates for advanced degree candidates. From the past years's posts, I expect McKinsey and BCG to be scheduling their 1st round interviews in early May.
Please feel free to post updates and indicate which programs in which region you applied to!
| +70 | Q&A: McKinsey BA | 90 | 13h | |
| +30 | FP&A -> RX Consulting | 4 | 2d | |
| +18 | Starting Fractional CFO - Consulting | 1 | 6h | |
| +15 | Imperial MSc Economics and Strategy for Business for London consulting | 17 | 1d | |
| +11 | Sophomore wanting to break into management consulting – would love advice | 4 | 51m | |
| Bocconi-Fudan MIM or ESCP-Shanghai Jiao Tong MIM | 1 | 13h | ||
| +9 | Can I break into MBB consulting | 2 | 1d | |
| +1 | PwC Deals vs Accenture Strategy | 2 | 1d | |
| 0 | MD -> MBB? | 1 | 2d |
Career Resources
Get instant access to lessons taught by experienced private equity pros and bulge bracket investment bankers including financial statement modeling, DCF, M&A, LBO, Comps and Excel Modeling.
Thanks for the post! I applied to the Philly Insight and NYC Bridge program. Haven't heard anything yet but I guess it's still early.
On the same boat, would love to hear from people who get answers!
Hey guys, I just got an email from McKinsey. I wasn't invited for the Insight program, but was offered to be interviewed for FT later in the summer. Additionally waiting to hear back on BCG.
Please share what you guys end up with! Thanks!
I just got rejected by Mck lol. What do you mean by FT?
Sorry to hear that :/
FT = full time positions..
Hello, I also wasn't invited for the Insight program, but was offered to be interviewed for FT later in the summer. . Do they offer everyone a slot to interview later in the summer of just a subset? Additionally waiting to hear back on BCG.
Another data point for insight: I was not invited for the summer program but was extended an invitation to interview in August/September
I applied last year and wasn't invited to the interview, so I am guessing a subset
Applied to Insight Science and Engineering. No invitation but offered interview in late August/early Sept.
rejected from Insight science and engineering from the NE and was not offered an interview for full time.
Offered a phone interview from McKinsey Insight Engineering & Science program. Waiting to hear back from BCG for Bridge.
-
I was offered a phone interview from McK Insight, any advice?
Also, if you do get invited for phone interview for Insight, does it mean you 'll automatically be offered a FT interview later (regardless of the result of the phone interview)? since some ppl got that offer despite being rejected for FT?
last year, the answer to Coconutdoughnut's question is actually "Yes"
just received an invite to a phone interview for the Bridge to BCG Boston
any news from Chicago office?
invite to Dallas Bridge...
Just got an invite to interview for Bridge to BCG Chicago
invited for phone interview Bridge Dallas
coconutdoughnut... assuming we both make it in let's network in Dallas. You from the Atlanta area?
Yes upperhandy, cross our fingers we'd make it
invited to interview for Bridge Dallas. rejected from Insight engineering. Anyone know what to expect from Bridge phone interviews?
Edit: Invited to interview for Bridge to BCG Chicago & McKinsey Insight engineering & Science.
Did not get an interview for Bridge2BCG but they wrote :"The team would like to encourage you to apply this fall for full-time positions. Each year, we hire a large number of full-time advanced degree candidates, and we remain very interested in your profile. If you have any questions in the meanwhile, please feel free to contact us." Does anyone know if this is the standard answer?
Standard. That's exactly what my email said 2 years ago
Hi guys! Was informed that I was selected for an interview for Insight Healthcare earlier this week, but still haven't heard from anyone regarding the interview time. They are notifying until tomorrow about interviews, and interviews will last from now until May 12.
Can anyone confirm that the Bridge interview is fit only? I read about that in other forums. Invite email seems to indicate that.
"During this next step in the Bridge to BCG selection process, you will have a 20-30 minute phone conversation with a BCG consultant. This will allow us to get to know you and better understand your interest in consulting. The phone conversation will also focus on the essay response you submitted with your application. You do not need to prepare any other materials for this conversation."
Bridge phone interview was all fit last year. Make sure you prepare some questions as well, I was given 10 minutes at the end to ask questions.
Ngneer.... did you go to B2BCG last year? Can you tell us about it?
Also, did you interview for full-time position at BCG? What were the results and what was the experience like?
Thanks!
Yes I went to Bridge last year. It was a great experience and I really enjoyed it. The program consisted of a 3-day case study in groups of about 5. They add a consultant to each group to assist and answer any questions. We also had several talks from partners about the work that BCG does and they organized a bunch of panels to ask questions. The evenings are filled with social activities (drinks, dinners, other fun activities in the city).
A nice bonus of attending Bridge is that you will get an early interview (late August for me). The interview process was pretty standard. First round consisted of case and fit interviews with consultants/project managers. Second round you get the partners and my interview questions/cases became less structured. I ended up joining another consulting firm but I believe BCG is a fantastic place to work. Good luck!
upperhandy.. the response i got was 15-20 min "getting to know you" and 5-10 min to ask questions. my impression is PEI/fit only.
Ngneer.. thanks for sharing your experience. do you happen to know (ball park estimate) the success rate of your cohort who received FT BCG offers? thanks!
The number of FT offers seemed pretty low. Maybe 5% or even less than that. We had about 60 participants and I only know a couple of people that got an offer.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us Ngneer. Regarding the 5% number, is it the FT position offers or FT interview offers for ppl who attended the workshop? Because my understanding is that people who participate in the workshop still have to go through rounds of FT interview just like everyone else. Do you know anyone who actually got FT offer right after the workshop?
/
I seriously doubt anyone would get a FT offer right after attending the workshop. A guy I networked with who attended Bridge 2013 and got a FT offer in the Fall went through the entire interview process and told me the offer rates were similar to what Ngneer posted above.
No one gets a FT offer out of Insight or Bridge. You go through the FT recruiting process just like everyone else and the yield is about the same as it is for the applicant pool who doesn't do the program.
Anyone have experience with the phone interview-what did they ask etc
I had my phone interview today. It was more a conversation, and very brief--less than 30 minutes. Know your resume and essay, and just be prepared to talk about it. It was very friendly.
.
just had interview also... simple conversation, very short. was asked about one weakness in resume. it did feel exactly like a 'fit' screen.
Good to know guys, I hope your interviews went well. I am assuming these were for B2BCG.
Anybody with insights on Insight? How were the interviews?
I heard a no from McK about Insight and FT positions but a yes for the B2BCG NYC office. Phone interview on Wed.
Just had my phone interview for B2BCG, casual conversations about activities in leadership essay and resume. Interviewer said it'll take 2-3 weeks to hear back.
Has anyone here applied to ClearView's Connect to ClearView program? Any updates regarding responses would be appreciated!
I haven't heard from them yet but I was told they will contact applicants selected for interviews by the 15th of May
-
Just had phone interview for Bridge with a project leader today. Simple fit questions, but one unexpected question threw me off and I think I should have better prepared :( Honestly, I really didn't know what to expect for the phone screening....
I didn't get into Insight program, but got a very nice email two weeks ago from McK recruiting team saying that they would like to interview me this summer for a FT position.
Haven't heard anything from Clearview yet.
no worries, momocat. i also was thrown off by an unexpected (though simple) fit question (for bridge) and should have been better prepared. i prepared structured answers but was then unable to sound natural and engaging. no worries, is good practice for real first rounds.
Hey guy, I am done with both BCG and McKinsey interviews. As jules18 said, I took it as a good practice for 1st round interviews.
I have found two case partners from this forum. Anybody else up for doing a case or two over Skype/Hangout? (Or in person if you are in Chicago).
Cweeter, I just sent you a PM.
I am!
I would also be interested :) Heading to Chicago as well.
Sorry, I don't understand. Do you mean that you are headed to B2BCG? You'd be interested in Skype practice?
ClearView is sending out invites for their 1st round phone interview. Any ideas on what to expect and what to focus on prep-wise?
Half of the interview will be fairly standard fit/experience questions. The case will be similar to the example on their website, definitely have a good understanding of the drug development process as it will invariably help with answering the case. You may also be asked your perspective on issues within the biotech/pharma industry so I recommend reading up on recent articles on Fierce biotech/pharma just to have something to discuss.
Thanks for the info akt4933!
A dumb question, did you receive any confirmation email when you submit to ClearView? I'm getting a little worried....
No, I didn't receive a confirmation after I submitted but I emailed the contact on their application site and they confirmed that my application was received. Just shoot them an e-mail. I'm sure everything will work out! Best of luck.
Guys, any idea about when we might hear back from BCG? McKinsey said we can expect to hear back from them by May 18th.
I had my phone interview with Bridge to BCG Dallas a week ago, anyone heard back after the phone interviews?
-
When did you get yours from ClearView? I still didn't hear back from them lol.
Heard back from Clearview about scheduling a phone interview earlier this week
i just heard that I got accepted into the Bridge to BCG in Chicago. No news from the Insight Program yet. Good luck everybody!!!
Congrats, and I'll see you there.
As for those who haven't heard back yet- best of luck!
Congratulations! That's great news. I hope you enjoy the experience.
I haven't heard back yet, but I am not too hopeful of getting in either.
Confirmed for Dallas Bridge! :D
-
Got in to Bridge Chicago. Looking forward to meeting some of you. Good luck everyone! Edit: Did not get into Insight Engineering & Science, but they extended invitation to interview in late August/early September. Also, if any of you want to practice over Skype/Hangout, please pm me :-)
I got into B2BCG Chicago, as well. Should be fun! Does anyone know roughly how many people go in each branch? I feel like I have heard numbers ranging from 20 to 60.
Last year we had close to 60 participants.
Invited to Bridge Boston. Best wishes to all Bridge/Insight applicants.
I'm also up for Skype/Hangout case practice. Please PM me if interested.
did you guys got invitation through email or telephone?
I got an email this afternoon.
Hi everyone, I'm new here. I got an invitation today for the Bridge program in Dallas. I was wondering if anyone on this board is going to the same one. I'm really excited and can't wait for Bridge to start!
Congrats! I got an offer for BCG Dallas too! Let's network while we're out there... we can exchange info for practice cases via Skype.
See you out there... send me a pm!
Hi everyone. Also new here, and just got word I'll be at Bridge Chicago and Insight Engineering & Science in DC. Looking forward to meeting some of you there! I'd also be down for a Skype/Hangout practice beforehand to get warmed up.
Hey, I sent you a pm about practice.
Attending Bridge Chicago. Looking forward to meeting everyone at the event! Good luck to all candidates who are interviewing this summer.
Had a phone interview with Clearview today, and the interviewer was so nice! He said there is going to be another round of interview.
Congratulations to those going to Bridge and Insight! Has anyone heard from Insight Asia Pacific or Healthcare (good news or otherwise)?
just heard a yes from Bridge NYC (via email) C2C interview I heard this past Monday for scheduling if anyone is in NY or Philly area and wants to case practice, pm me!
Hi, I work at an MBB, and attended one of these programs before interviewing and joining, about a couple of years ago.
These programs are actually very informative if are considering consulting, but are skeptical that this would be a good move for you. For me, the most interesting take-away was just how many non-MBA, academic-types were partners and in other leadership positions. I probably had a skewed understanding to begin with, but the program shattered the wall-street douche-bag stereotype.
Getting into these programs is quite competitive, so congrats if you made it. However, note that the majority of the program attendees do not get an offer. The main benefit is that you will be interviewing earlier, when they are yet to fill an entire class (actually, not an entire class, since the Summers receive offers a year in advance).
Most of the PhDs who applied for the program were actually rejected, and then offered positions during the regular interview process. So don't give up if you're not selected.
If you are invited to the program, and are very serious about consulting, you should start practicing cases. Note, however, that case practice is not needed at all for the program itself. Just that the interviews will start pretty soon (~ 1 month?) after the program, so it pays to be ready.
If you are invited to the program, you will most definitely be invited to interview in the first round. At my school, getting a first-round McKinsey interview was not a big deal, but getting a BCG interview was actually quite difficult. Note that I'm not at all saying that McKinsey is less competitive -- it is not. Just that McKinsey tends to apply its first big filter between the first and second rounds, while BCG applies it before the first rounds (there are only 2 rounds total).
Be nice and polite to the recruiting staff!!
Finally, business at my firm (and I'm sure the other two MBB) is very, very good these days. This is most definitely the best time to apply since the crisis, and probably the best time in the past decade.
Good luck
Those are some excellent points. Thanks for the advice. Would've given you a silver banana, but this poor grad student has none!
As most of us are getting close to the real interviews, could you please give some tips on do's and don't's of case practice? What helped you the most? What do you think you could've done better?
I'm sure none of these are news to you, but here are some tips:
To the extent that there is a predictor for getting an offer, it is the group that you practice cases with. You should find people that are serious and committed to doing well in the interviews, and willing to engage regularly.
Practice live cases. Much better to spread them out over a couple of months than to do rapid-fire cases a week before your interview.
Practice fit. You don't know the cases you are going to be asked to solve in the interviews. You don't even know the universe of cases you're going to be asked. You DO know the fit questions you are going to be asked. Maybe you won't be asked all of them, but you'll certainly be asked >33% of them. You should have fit down cold. Practice with a partner. Applicants know this, yet they spend so much time practicing cases, and not nearly enough time practicing fit. If you are a scientist, and cannot convince a layperson of the the value of your research in 2-3 sentences, then you should really spend time on this.
Got an offer for Bridge NYC! Looking to practice with advanced case partners - msg me if you are interested for skype cases. See others in NYC!
Got an offer to McKinsey Insight Asia! If you are interested in Skype/Hangout case practice, please feel free to PM me.
got offer from McK Asia, McK is very professional, they said the results will be out on the 18th and the invite came right on time
Headed to the Insight Asia program as well in June. Would love to case practice as well if anyone would be interested!
Accepted to Bridge NYC. PM me if you want to practice some cases!
Anybody hear back from ClearView about 2nd round interviews?
No I'm still waiting to hear back. I think they should get back to us by the end of this week.
-
Congrats, Stillmoves! All the best for your interview!
for those who have attended Insight before, could you please tell us about your experience with the case? In the agenda it states there would be a 2 day case, how should I prepare for it? Will there be a real business case that we have to solve? Will it be evaluative? Thanks.
Yes, there will be a real case, but you need absolutely zero preparation for the program itself.
Haha, they say nothing is evaluative, but I'd treat it as if it were.
Just participate actively, get to know the people, and seriously be yourself, as cliche as it sounds. An MBB job is a good opportunity, but certainly not worth changing your behavior to please the firm. If you're invited, you are likely strong enough to have a great career regardless of where you end up.
Best
Has anyone heard back from their second round for Connect to Clearview? I was expecting to hear back by the end of this week and haven't.
I am also expecting to hear back from Clearview today but still haven't. They told me last week in my interview that they would let us know by today (June 12-and their website says the same thing) but I haven't received anything yet either.
-
I just heard back. Didn't get in, but at least you'll hear back soon.
Didn't make it, but was offered an interview for a full-time position. Was told I'll be contacted in July about scheduling.
Warning: darn silly post ensuing.
I was wondering what people are planning to wear to the Bridge and Insight programs. BCG requested business casuals. I find that very vague, especially for women. I need to go buy these, and don't want to splurge much at this moment. Any advice? What are the other ladies here thinking of?
When they say business casual, they mean on the dressier side of business casual. Blame the over-eager kids who come dressed in suits for even info sessions.
Also depends on the office. NY, for example, is much less casual than the Midwest.
That's good advice :-) So maybe trousers and a dressy (formal) blouse? I am just weary of starting off on the wrong foot.
Have anyone heard back from Bain yet? the deadline is today but I don't know if they have started calling people yet
Haven't heard from Bain. I'm guessing they'll respond shortly considering their events begin in 2.5 weeks or so.
Any idea of what the Bain event will be like? A condensed version of Bridge/Insight? I am expecting to hear at the of this week from them.
Hello, I have been a long time reader of this forum, and applying to MBB this year. Any of you heard back from Bain Advance into Consulting yet?
Hi there,
I've only gotten an acknowledgment email from them this past Monday, and the letter really emphasized that they will keep you updated on the status of your app, so I wouldn't worry about hearing back. As some other people said earlier, results should come out any day now >_
Yeah, I just got an acknowledgement email. Since the events are scheduled beginning July 8th, I'm betting we all hear back sometime in the next couple of days for sure.
a week has passed and I still haven't gotten anything beside that acknowledgement email
Anyone heard from Bain yet? I haven't. Wondering if their invitation means we don't have to apply for Full time positions again.
I haven't either, though heard that some from the NY office heard back.
Thanks for sharing the info - do you know when your peers heard back from NY office? I'm waiting to hear back for their Chicago office...
cweeter, what did you hear about what they heard? :) did Bain just call them on the phone without scheduling anything through email and start asking fit/case questions?
Heard back today from Bain's Chicago office. Didn't make it in, but good luck to everybody else!
Jazevedo, thanks for sharing.. I'm also waiting on Chicago office; did they call? email?
Good luck on your actual FT recruiting!
They sent an e-mail. Good luck to you as well!
-
I still haven't heard anything from Bain after the acknowledgement email. Must've been dinged. All the best to those who are attending!
I haven't heard either, so probably a ding too. Good luck to all!
If someone heard back with a negative response, why would you assume no response is a ding?
Just as suehlee said. The Boston event is coming fast. I'd think they would have let me know by know if I was invited.
They can send me the rejection letter on the day of the event and still keep their promise! :)
I guess those might be trying for Bain NY which is July 8th (so soon) that they're assuming it's a ding. I do wonder how they are reviewing/releasing good/bad news though, as I'm still waiting to hear back from Bain Chicago though others have heard the negative news from them yesterday.
Regardless, good luck to us all when the FT interviews come around!
did you guys apply to only one location? They didn't restrict it on the application so I checked all 3 east coast locations, but still haven't heard back from them beside the acknowledgement email
@coffeeee"
I checked all of the boxes.
Honestly, the AIC program sounds like what McKinsey does after you take the PST.
If that is it I'm not sure what the value in it would be other than networking (with other candidates and Bain). Not to say that networking isn't important, b/c it is, but there's not really much you can do with 5hrs.
Kinda sad actually. But if I got accepted I'd go just for the networking aspect, even if the rest was a bust.
I just got dinged with the following email (I'm guessing everyone got the same one?):
Thank you for submitting your application to Bain’s Advance into Consulting program. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to offer you a place at this year’s program.
Due to the large number of applicants and limited capacity/geography options for this year’s sessions, we had to turn away many talented and qualified candidates. However, given the quality of your application materials, we would like to include you in our webinar session in late July (exact date/time and instructions on how to join will be sent out in the coming few weeks).
The webinar will allow you to: • Learn more about Bain and how we will support your career and future goals • Receive advice on how to best prepare for the case interview process • Hear about when and where we will be conducting first round interviews
In addition to attending our webinar, we still want to encourage you to stay interested in Bain and consulting more broadly. Our full time application process submission deadline is August 7, 2015. Please go to www.joinbain.com to apply for a full time position. Please note that your application to AIC does not mean you have applied to our full time program; you will need to complete an application via the Join Bain system in order to be considered.
We look forward to having the opportunity to connect with you further!
suehlee88 got same one
Upperhandy, I see that you've participated in BCG dallas recently! Care to share what you learned/felt with us? :)
I just heard back from Bain, and I got in. I don't know if I'll have to apply for full time separately.
Hi cweeter,
Which Bain office were you applying for? Did you know anyone hear back from those west coast offices? Thx a lot :)
Hi lysw99
I applied to the Chicago office. I haven't heard of anything about the west coast offices.
Hi lysw99, I'm waiting to hear back from the west coast office as well... I'll let you know when I hear back.
Has anybody been paired with an interview aide from McKinsey or BCG?
Yes, I was paired and had my practice interview with my BCG aide last week.
When did you apply and which office did you apply to? I haven't heard anything from BCG yet
Any Bridge participant who's had their first round interviews already? How was your experience?
Any non-Bridgers hear back from BCG SF or Bain for that matter either?
Asperiores nisi voluptatem quaerat blanditiis vitae enim aliquam. Sapiente rem consequatur quod eos. Laudantium sint ut nisi omnis modi odio. Rerum harum nam voluptatem harum consequatur ipsum sit. Impedit est recusandae sapiente voluptatum.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Quo qui qui porro hic necessitatibus. Temporibus provident ut ex cum molestiae vel quidem. Consequatur eos omnis non eligendi vel eos magni expedita. Cum eveniet veniam neque nemo ipsam sequi quidem. Pariatur voluptas officiis quasi corporis. Voluptatem dolorem harum exercitationem aliquam est. A illo corrupti sed culpa a ipsa exercitationem.
Quo dignissimos reprehenderit sunt omnis. Quidem itaque alias voluptates consequatur quis provident. Molestias dolor nobis iste. Labore commodi consequatur ipsum qui rerum blanditiis recusandae nostrum.
Dicta illum repellat laborum voluptatem id. Voluptates non voluptas eum rerum. Itaque labore quisquam corporis nisi enim ducimus architecto velit.
Praesentium sit ad et. Beatae et id architecto id qui explicabo. Ipsum nam vitae a sed nihil dolorum officiis. Esse explicabo culpa pariatur. Sit sit aliquid est sapiente.
Voluptatibus culpa eius ut omnis vel ad. Similique vel quos numquam. Et exercitationem vero eius iste porro excepturi sint. Asperiores omnis inventore nihil non delectus dignissimos.
Eos dignissimos magnam nemo aut nihil fuga. Labore beatae tempora quos ut non.
Repellendus a odio id amet totam. A ullam aperiam provident magni porro sint esse.
Ut sed iure assumenda voluptatem. Dolor consequuntur molestiae aliquam voluptas dicta sit repellat. Quo natus nihil deserunt ipsam qui. Ipsam eum natus culpa corporis dolor voluptatem.
Earum provident ratione quam maxime. Maiores ipsum impedit animi quia sunt distinctio. Aut non esse non et eaque modi. Dicta ea blanditiis ratione aut nihil. Ipsa autem libero placeat ab non nisi.
Harum atque quo iste est. Nisi neque et quia. Sint accusantium aut iste adipisci velit nobis non. Voluptatum voluptatem iure qui sint aliquid. Harum labore in eos impedit fugit harum velit perferendis. Quas dolor dolorum quis.
Ut reprehenderit vel aut. Quia deleniti ut sunt voluptatum ut praesentium dignissimos. Quod consectetur quibusdam tempora accusantium debitis.
Ut totam qui mollitia a ratione laudantium nisi. Exercitationem rem enim aliquid eaque qui quasi ea.
Cum aperiam dolor ab nulla. Dolores ut provident et aut. Libero sunt et provident nihil. Voluptas ut ullam tempora minus dolore dolor debitis ut.
Enim fugit ullam iure animi impedit. Ea aspernatur aut ut fugit molestiae architecto quia. Sed cumque quibusdam dolorum quis est qui.