Hi, i'm a junior at WUSTL with a double major in Political Science and Economic Strategy.
- I am a transfer that used to be a D1 athlete before multiple surgeries.
- DOJ internship with top secret clearance.
- Student Senate
- Low SAT (relatively) because I had already committed to my previous school for my sport and did zero studying .
- high LSAT score (97th percentile) but I don't want to go to law school.
- 3.73 cumulative GPA between the two schools (3.6 at WUSTL)
I'm wondering what I need to do within the next 8 months or so, before I start my application process, to maximize my chances at MBB or any other consulting gig to be honest. I know my school isn't necessarily the most highly regarded by some and i'm worried that I won't get the interviews. I would even take Deloitte S&O or something similar. Also, what is the best way to study for the case interviews? Am I being delusional thinking I have a chance? Thanks in advance for any advice or input.
If you are in a non-target school, your best bet is to cold call and network your ass off. Your LSAT proves that you are intelligent enough to be in the industry and can decently and sincerely throw it in there, just dont swing it around because there is always someone better than you with a test score (+ tests can only measure so much). I think this site has some success posts of the things people did. I myself when was in freshman year some time ago was in a veeeeeeeeeeeery non target school but through my cold calling got an interview in the biggest and baddest BB IBD summer analyst program directly with the hiring manager at IBD (again, which was very unheard of my freshman year's school). I didn't get the gig but even at that, I still would never even had the chance to step into the building had it not been through my networking because of my school name.
So just grow some balls if you are afraid of the phone, and start dialing...
get your GPA up to a 3.8
Network your ass off. Cold-emailing worked for me - I email top execs, 2/10 respond, 1/20 even offer to set up interviews (and then fwd me on to HR).
This is how I got a top consulting job basically, so cold calling definitely works. Oh - and I too am from a non target.
Wash U seems to be a target school for some of the strategy consulting firms. I know both Bain and BCG recruit on campus. So does Deloitte strategy.
bain and bcg dont even come to columbia and they go to washu?
Ya, I know for sure Bain and Deloitte are here on a semi regular basis. Deloitte is the most visible company/firm in any industry on campus. I'm not sure about BCG and only one person from WUSTL got mckinsey last year. So, being a semi-target, is networking my ass off still the most important thing I need to be doing? I have been in contact with alums from Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture but I haven't been in contact with anyone from Mckinsey or BCG.
@ falcon: Yeah, my friend from Columbia complains about the same thing. His theory is that MBB is worried all of the Columbia talent is poached by Wall Street, so they don't want to waste their time recruiting. Still, you guys get McKinsey right?
@bears: Certainly helps if alumni recommend your resume. That being said, you have some good experiences and you should also spend a good amount time on your resume, making sure that you're highlighting your experiences well. I'm not sure if other firms do it, but apparently Bain ranks resumes, and I dunno how much they actually take employee recommendations into account with the rankings.
i'm a little worried that my GPA is going to be too low (it's not likely too change much) and that my lack of any real business experience hurts. Also, because I have my TS, should I be pursuing federal consulting with booz or the like and just hope to transfer into strategy later? Thinking that federal consulting being less sought after and already have my Top Secret Clearance will really help me.
still get mckinsey, yep. i think that thoery is for the most part true.
Yeah but it's easier for CU grads and students to network with the firms in NYC. I forged a good (net)working relationship with an MD at KKR Capstone because I happened to meet him at church when I was dragged there once.
Provided they can get off their lazy asses on their consistent 3 day weekends and actually manage to get south of 106th street. An extremely unlikely feat, as I think I managed it once a month.
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