Bain

Hey guys, I go to a target (H/Y/P/S) undergrad and we had our final-round interviews for the AC role at Bain (NYC/ Boston/ SF) on Tuesday the 29th. I know MBB typically get back with news within 24h if it's good or longer if it's not-so-good but none of my friends have heard back yet. What should we expect the decision timeline to look like? Maybe we can use this space to keep a tab on when decisions start going out... Would really appreciate any insight on this for this year in particular (have read through previous posts)

01 Oct 2020

Just wanted to start this forum topic since I know a few of us are feeling antsy about Bain final round decisions. I would be interested in hearing about your ACI final round calls and the turnaround time to receiving an acceptance or rejection. Please post if you have or have not received an acceptance, and for which region of the US! Also let us know how your overall interview went from your perspective, and how well that matched the outcome. Thank you!

10 Oct 2020

Shout out to all the hopeful boys and girls out there who would eat raw chicken to get an MBB internship! Where do you go to school? Where have you previously interned? Do you know when we'll start hearing back? How good do you think your chances are? Discuss these questions and anything else you'd like to talk about! May the odds be ever in your favor.

08 Sep 2020

I am in a very privileged position to have received a McKinsey offer for the associate position in NA. Previously, I had attended the Bain summer program for advanced degrees but unfortunately bombed the final case interview and did not receive an FT offer. The recruiting manager communicated that I was placed on a pseudo-waitlist and that they will reach out to me at the end of August or early September. Now I am in a bind. I know it is easy to just accept the McKinsey offer and never look back, but Bain has always been my top choice and I really felt at home with all the Bainies during my

22 Aug 2020

Hi Everyone, I just applied to Bain and received a 1.5hr assessment test. Wondering if anyone knows what provider they use, how to practice, how difficult, what it consists of, or just any insights. Would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

02 Sep 2020

Hi everyone, I just had a Bain AC final round interview yesterday (4/1) and was wondering if anyone else also interviewed on this date and has heard back on decisions yet? How long should we typically expect to wait before hearing back? Thanks!

02 Apr 2021

Hi, I just did a final around for Bain New York Office (Thursday 4/1/21). I graduated in May of 2020, but they are doing off cycle recruiting right now for AC positions. They are doing final round interviews today and tomorrow. I have two questions: 1. When should I hear back? Did anyone else also interview for this role and have you heard back? 2. Does your first round interview play into the decision to extend an offer? I killed my first round interviews but felt less confident on one of my final round interviews. Will they take all four interviews into account or only the last two? Thank

01 Apr 2021

Hi friends. Recently left MBB after spending 2 years after college there. Always thought it was helpful reading Q&A when I was a student thinking about career-pathing, so wanted to offer this up. Busy in a new job, so will respond when available and might close this thread up early, but for now, please ask away. For context: Target college MBB big US office Based in the US Obviously please keep questions professional and I will try to provide as much insight as possible. Won't reveal anything though that is too personal. Still care about anonymity.

19 Sep 2019

I'm lucky enough to have Full-Time Analyst offers for Investment Banking from both Evercore NYC M&A and PJT NYC M&A. I know I'm splitting hairs here but I'm just wondering if any of you have thoughts if one firm is slightly better positioned in terms of exit opportunities into PE mega-funds (Apollo, Blackstone, Warburg, KKR, TPG, Bain, Carlyle) as well as top MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton)? Appreciate any insight!

23 Aug 2019

Any thoughts on the Bain Corporate M&A and Private Equity Practice in Germany? Also with regards to chances of breaking into PE from that compared to working at BCG or Bain as a generalist?

16 Feb 2021

Has anyone interviewed for the BEL program or know when we hear back? Not too much information was given so don't know how to gauge if my interview went well or what the chance of getting an offer for something like this is...

22 Apr 2020

Hi! I'll be brief and please feel free to redirect me to the appropriate place if this is the wrong place. I have an offer at Firm #1. I have a final-round interview with Firm #2 on Friday. Firm #1 wants an answer BEFORE Friday, conveniently. Firm #1 does not know I'm applying to Firm #2. If I get Firm #2, I would likely take that offer (location). Both are MBB. The way I see it, below are my options. Please advise, any help at ALL is appreciated. Take Firm #1 offer and withdraw from Firm #2. Withdraw from Firm #1 and hope Firm #2 works out. Take Firm #1, renege if Firm #2 works out. Renege

16 Dec 2020

Just had an interview at a target for 2019 BEL program. Has anyone heard back? Have other schools been interviewed?

18 Apr 2019

Seems like a really interesting fund that's been quite active since inception. Any insight on the associate experience? Level of technical work? Operational influence in portfolio companies? Sourcing relative to rest of work? Comp relative to more traditional funds?

21 Oct 2018

What is the process like? How has your experience been? Is it true that BCLS focuses more on growth equity?

20 Nov 2020

Hello monkeys, I wanted to get an impression on the best restructuring experience in London in terms of skill building and exit opps. I assume that specialist programs like Evercore/HL/RS prep analyst better for distressed roles than generalist places like PJT/Laz/Moelis, even though PJT is top notch in RX. Another thing that caught my attention after a quick linkedin search is that the London offices of Oaktree and other loan to own / distressed for control places hire mostly from GS/MS and not candidates from restructuring backgrounds. Is this simply a statistical phenomenon since the

04 Jun 2018

Are any interesting Management Consulting firms (ideally w/ NE offices) still recruiting?

21 Oct 2020

Has anyone interviewed with BCG United States for the Summer Associate/Associate position (first round)? If you have, did you find that the interview was more interviewer-led rather than candidate-led? How much of the 'driving' of the case did you do? I'm asking because for Bain this year, they were leaning more towards interviewer-led.

30 Sep 2020

Conventional wisdom here would suggest that you need to go to a M7/T10 school to give yourself a decent chance of making it to MBB, You can make it from a T15 school, but the chances are lower. However, I've noticed on LinkedIn that people from UW Foster (USNR #27) & UM Twin Cities (USNR #32) do make it to MBB (I'm not talking about sponsored MBB kids, but career switchers). Although it seems like they're always in the Seattle or Minneapolis offices. I'm not talking about 1 or 2. These schools seems to send a few grads to MBB every year. I know those are not Kellogg numbers, but what does that

15 Nov 2017

I'm an MD currently completing a post-doc in pharma, applied as an ADC to MBB in the fall, made it to the decision round for MBB1 and MBB2. was waitlisted at MBB1, was asked to complete an extra decision round then waitlisted at MBB2, and was ultimately rejected to both though asked to reapply during the off-cycle in spring. Have any other ADCs applied during the off-cycle? - How was your experience? - How did the recruitment process and level of difficulty compare? - Did you experience any pushback in re-applying so soon? - What recommendations would you have for someone else going through

16 Jan 2019

Hi all! I have an offer from Bain, but due to Visa issues cannot stay in the office I was recruited to and need to choose one where work permits are easy to get. I will spend a year there, until I can join my original office. Sooo, I would be very grateful, if you could share any insights on business, learning curve and culture in different offices! Especially if you are based in Europe or Canada. Thanks!

28 Nov 2017

Hey guys, Thought I'd start another thread for those of us APDs/ADCs (read: spent too many years in school) who are applying for full time positions either earlier this year in the Spring (BCG) or now during the Summer. Let's try to provide sufficient data so it's less confusing: Current location(Northeast/west/south)/institute(target?): Firm(s) applied (spring/summer): When did you receive an invite/rejection: Additional info (invite or no? when are they scheduling the interviews?): To start off: Current location: southeast + semi/non target Firm applied: BCG (spring) When did you receive an

01 Jan 2017

Now that Evercore's M&A NYC Analyst class is getting bigger (~50 Analysts) and they are placing Analysts into groups earlier - I was wondering what the top groups at Evercore are considered to be? I'm interested from a deal flow perspective, prestige perspective, and best exit opportunities into PE mega-funds (Blackstone, Apollo, KKR, Warburg, Carlyle, Bain, TPG). Specifically for NYC and specifically for M&A.

23 Aug 2019

Hello WSOs, I plan to recruit at Bain South East Asia as an experienced hire. Appreciate if anyone can share the followings: 1. What is the test used to screen candidates? Where can I find practice test or at least similar types? I heard it has 25-26 questions but the more research I do, the more it seems like a complete blackbox 2. How should I go about networking? any other things to watch out for? What's the recruitment process for experienced hires? 3. What's the salary for Consultant and Case Team Leader position (base, bonus,...); will it be in local currency or USD? If you feel more

12 Jul 2020

Hi wise people on WSO, I just finished my final round interviews with Bain, and sent a thank you email to my interviewers. My friend got a reply from the Partner who interviewed both of us, but I didn't get any response. I thought my interview with him went reasonably well, but I couldn't really tell if he liked me. I've heard a lot about how the interview with the Partner can be the most important one. If the Partner did not reply to anyone, I'd probably feel less anxious. But after learning that my friend got a reply, I just feel my last bit of hope was gone. Did anyone have similar

28 Sep 2016

Dear WSO, I have at this point an offer at both MBB London and a MBB office in mainland Europe (where I did an internship)? As of such my question: Is the MBB London scene more prestigious or are all offices somewhat the same in terms of prestige and exit options. In the long term I wish to work in my native country in Europe (office where I have the offer now) but does MBB London open more doors in the early career? Thanks

01 Oct 2018

Received an offer from all three companies. I know the general differences between the firms, but is one better specifically for those who just finished undergrad?

25 Oct 2015

Which would be the better choice coming out of undergrad? In terms of someone who isn't 100% sure where his career is headed, so exit ops and career prospects.

04 Feb 2016

In deciding between MBB, would you guys offer any insights about differences between the three firms or things to think about while making a decision? All three offers are from the same city. McKinsey vs Bain vs BCG If you've worked hard enough to secure an offer at all three firms then congratulations. These firms are the most prestigious in consulting. All of these firms offer great exit opportunities and pay. However these firms still have their individual strengths and weaknesses. Lets take a look at each firm in terms of pay at the first year associate level. The following figures are

30 Nov 2014

I'm a senior in a top school in Asia graduating in 2016. I've grinded through school, networked like crazy and completed internships in consulting, VC and Asset Management. I have an MBB offer in Asia (think Singapore/KL/HK) and a BB Equity Structuring offer in London. I need to decide between the two by end of January, and would really appreciate any advice on the pros/cons of either. In the long haul, I would like to end up in PE/value investing - where there's a mix of operational understanding and finance. The positive for MBB is the operational experience, but most of MBB Asia's exits are

29 Nov 2015

Hey guys, I am a senior at a Public University which I think is a target and I have just found out that I got a first round at McKinsey and another at Bain and another at Accenture. I have recently started practicing cases - maybe 10 in total - and I am really awful at them. Any tips on how to prepare in less than a week for these interviews? I get super nervous and struggle with math - I am quite slow and tend to get lost in the details. I am being very honest here. Literally need any help I can get. I just want to stand out and do well.

30 Sep 2015

Hey Everybody, I am above my pay-grade and need some help from you all. I have been lucky enough to meet some Bain employees this past week, and have fallen in love with the company. I think the work that they do is fascinating, and even find the mundane activities to be the best that I have heard. I understand that these people are recruiting, but so are all of the other firms that don't make such a strong impression. Unfortunately, I am a sophomore and cannot pursue opportunities with them this summer, so I am curious as to what the best experiences I could gain going into next fall's

26 Sep 2015

Apologies if this question seems a bit naive but wanted to get this forum's opinion on educating oneself on certain topics in order to hold better conversations with longer tenure colleagues. As a 22-year-old analyst I'm not super interested in or knowledgeable about luxury cars, cigars, watches, fine liquors, golf etc the list goes on. Have people faced this issue before? If so what did you do to address it, e.g. should I start stalking watch and car forums? I definitely don't mean to indicate that people in consulting firms only care about those things-most people are actually pretty down to

09 Dec 2014

I'm going to be applying for an consulting internship soon. I have a 3.65 GPA as a Chemistry major at Georgetown University. I hold leadership positions in a couple clubs (ex. the investment fund) as well. I know this is not nearly enough information to give an accurate answer, but I wanted to just get a rough answer.

23 Dec 2014

I will start with a couple assumptions and conclusions I have reached through my research and would greatly appreciate any corroboration or corrections you guys might have for me. Georgetown as a whole would be a low target to a high semi-target for the overall financial services and consulting sectors, correct? Now, what kind of recruiting/niche areas do MSB and SFS get separately? Most of the data and opinions I have seen point to SFS doing better with consulting and MSB doing better with IB. Is this apparent difference due to the preferences of the students in each respective college or

02 Apr 2016

Can people who have taken the Bain online test (Cubiks RfB Numerical Reasoning) clarify what's on it please? 1. Are all of the questions data interpretation questions based on tables & graphs? (my test page just says RfB Numerical Reasoning)? 2. If there are verbal/critical reasoning questions, what kind? True/False/Can't Say? Assessing the logic of arguments? 3. Any diagrammatic questions (sometimes called inductive reasoning, with patterns and shapes)? 4. Any geometry? 5. Any probability? 6. Any permutations/combinatorics? 7. Any number properties (e.g. divisibility, primes)? 8. Any advice for how to practice? Is any section of the GMAT similar to these questions? And regarding the rules of the test:

09 Nov 2014

Just curious BEFORE the bonuses were added, what's a typical base salary for junior partners at MBB? How about for senior partners? Can the bonus for MBB partner be as much as more than 100% of their base salary? Also, how's MBB partners' bonuses calculated?

04 Mar 2013

Have had two consulting internships during and after my MBA program (one international) and also at a smaller scale for a a local business at home over 4 years. I'm around one year into my Big 4 job where I've done Fortune 10 consulting as well as audit/compliance work. I don't really have any contacts with MBB (yet), and am wondering what the feasibility of a switch to MBB is. I can give more detail if requested, just want to get some sort of idea. Thanks!

29 Jan 2014

Hey, I had a question about the interview process for consulting, specifically for MBB. I've searched but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, but if there is already a discussion on this, please post it and I'll be on my way. I am getting a Master's in Statistics at a semi-target. MBB recruits here, so I guess a "target" but non-ivy level for sure. I realize after getting an interview, a lot of your qualifications go out the window and it becomes a lot more about fit, but it seems more so for consulting. Is this true? Assuming I can get a first round, is the only way to get an offer just killing the case interviews? Thanks

04 Apr 2013

As a new hire at an MBB office in the midwest, at what point in my time at the firm is it possible to transfer offices? Is it easier within the same region? If I do 2 years, have MBB pay for my MBA, and come back for 2, can those 2 post-MBA be at a new office? I understand it is much easier to do so if you are a top performer, as with anything. Thanks!

12 Dec 2016

Bloomberg ran this great interview with Blackstone's Steve Schwarzman yesterday, and it covers a lot of ground. Schwarzman goes into why all hope is not lost for Europe (in fact he's still a buyer), why he loves Catholic schools, why 45% of the country should at least pay something in taxes, and how Mitt Romney made him millions while he was at Bain. The interviewer tries a few "Gotcha" questions about taxing the poor, but Schwarzman deflects them with his typical aplomb. I gotta say, he did cast Romney in a different light for me. Enjoy:

01 Dec 2011

The gloves are officially off in the battle for the GOP nomination, and Newt Gingrich's toadie Super PAC "Winning Our Future" is taking a page out of the Swift-Boating playbook by hitting Mitt Romney where it hurts the most: his years with Bain. Evidently a 30-minute "documentary" is forthcoming, the trailer for which is below. It is said to include four indisputable examples of how Bain under Romney took over companies and looted them, laying off all the rank and file employees. You can expect this storyline to play BIG in blue collar South Carolina. This bit of propaganda is seriously gonna

10 Jan 2012

Can anyone comment on the best way to transition from MBB (analyst level) to PE? I'm joining an MBB office in the fall and understand that PE recruiting generally happens very quickly after that (April/May). Would it be useful to learn/practice some financial modeling before I start work so I can even be considered for interviews? Anything I should be doing well in advance to prepare? Any advice or experience is helpful, thanks.

22 Feb 2012

Recently I've been trying to break into consulting. I studied the sciences in college in pursuit of medical school and after careful consideration now want to go into healthcare management--for the obvious cost/benefits. I want to get into consulting to make headway and have been looking at the top consultancies--McKinsey, Bain and BCG. To make a long story short, after some networking I got a coffee meeting with the COO of Activision who used to work for Bain shortly and knows the managing partner in the LA office well. He forwarded my resume off to the managing partner in LA who forwarded it to the managing partner in Dallas--where I'm living at the moment. A recruiter got into contact with me and now I'm in talks for a possible opportunity.

01 Jul 2011

Is there anyone here who is working at/has worked at Bain & Co and/or Bain Capital? (Someone from London would be especially helpful). I landed an interview with the company for a full time role starting next year. I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the company via PM (don't worry I will not ask what the interview questions are lol). You can remain anonymous of course. Thanks

11 Jul 2013

This might be the first case in history where a man who may become a sitting President of the United States has already declared war on a country (an ally, no less) as a private citizen. At least that's how many Italians see it. [quote]That's because Bain Capital, under Romney as chief executive officer, made about $1 billion in a leveraged buyout 12 years ago that remains controversial in Italy to this day. Bain was part of a group that bought a telephone-directory company from the Italian government and then sold it about two years later, at the peak of the technology bubble, for about 25

07 Aug 2012

what's the best out of MBB?

13 Feb 2013

Hi guys Thanks for a great forum! I was hoping that you could help me out. I am starting as a Senior Associate at Bain (Europe) in February, and I would really like to be properly prepared. The thing is that my background is a PhD in Neuroscience and I don't know what they expect from me from day one. I have done Business School courses in managerial economics, economics, strategy and statistics, but that's about it. So my question is; what would be the most important to focus on in terms of being prepared. And if you have any experience from the first weeks/months at Bain I would really like

18 Oct 2012

Both are summer opportunities in SF.

12 Feb 2013

Hi everyone, I have offers from both the Bain and McK offices in London. At the moment, I don't know precisely what I'd like to do in a few years time. I'm thinking I'd like to stay in consulting and work my way towards Partner. This may, of course, change as I start work and have new experiences and find out more about exit opportunities. I wanted to reach out to you: Which is better in terms of opportunities it provides? What are the different exit opportunities available from each firm? Which would you take if you were in my position with the amount of knowledge I have now? And what are good questions to ask the people there?

20 Jan 2011