Advice needed for science PhD wanting to be competitive
Hey all:
I'm currently a science PhD student (2nd year) and would like some advice on where to go from here to get into consulting. I still plan on finishing my PhD.
I'm currently doing a PhD at a non-target school (flagship state school) in the energy/environmental field. I did my undergrad at a target school, however, if that counts for anything. I have a few publications as well as a prestigious national fellowship, but no background in finance/management/etc. I do have a strong statistical background, particularly in model building/selection. One of my papers is a new analytical method (although it is specific to my field). From reading around these forums a bit, test scores matter somewhat. I have a 790 SAT math, 800 SAT II math, and 800 GRE quantitative if that will give me a boost. I currently have a 4.0 GPA (although science PhD GPAs are inflated for sure).
My questions:
1) Will I really have much of a chance getting into a top consulting firm. If not, is there anything I can do during the remainder of my PhD to get into the realm of having a decent chance?
2) I have complete flexibility in my studies and could manage gettiing a masters in either stats or economics along the way. Would this be valuable or would the PhD be all that mattered?
3) There is a target school about an hour away...is it possible to contact the hiring people for that school and see if I could go there for the interview process?
4) Outside going into environmental consulting, is there any way to market my energy/environmental PhD to the big firms?
5) Will any of my accomplishments in academia (publications/fellowships/etc) matter at all in the hiring process?
Thanks!
Also, the graduate economics program at my school is relatively strong (~25th nationally). It is also very strong in my specific field (~5), although I doubt that helps.
i would aim for MBB/OW/monitor,etc. you should have no problem landing interviews at elite firms.
I have a similar background, except my PhD will be from a target school. I have accepted an off from an MBB firm.
The hardest part for you will be gettting an interview. None of my interviews occurred on campus so you won't have to go to the local target school. There were definitely peopole from non-targets at the same time I interviewed. You should however, inquire about going to recruitment events at the target school only so that you can learn more about the firms and make connections. Connections with the company will help you get an interview. Connections with other students will help you prepare for interviews. Leverage alumni contacts, both from grad and undergrad, to help you get an interview.
Since you're early in your track, here is my advice: - Take a couple econ, finance, management courses as they interest you and fit in your schedule. It'll show that you have interest in business. - Apply to McKinsey's Insight and BCG's Bridge to BCG summer programs. They are short 3-4 day intro-to-consulting programs for PhD/MD/JD students. They are great for making connections. If you are invited, they will give you a first round interview. Even if you are not invited, it puts you on their radar. - If your program allows you, apply for an internship. I've heard from other PhD students that did well in interviews but did not get offered an internship, that they were asked to skip the first round interview and proceed straight to the final round.
MBB does not hire PhD's because they have a specific background, but rather because they are good with numbers and models. That being said, they also need PhD's to have other strong skills too, like communication, leadership experiences, and a pattern of being successful. Your academic accomplishments (fellowship papers) demonstrate that you are successful. Find ways to show that you are a leader and good on teams and you'll have all the traits they are looking for for give you an interview.
In my experience, although their website often say they hire PhD's, non-MBBs like OW and Monitor did not even respond to my applications. You can always try connecting with non-elite firms when they are on campus for ug recruiting and using that contact to get an itnerview.
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