Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 18:09 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 18:09
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
losttraveler
User avatar
Joined: 07 May 2011
Last visit: 16 Oct 2014
Posts: 390
Own Kudos:
21
Given Kudos: 8
Affiliations: CBS Class of 2014
Concentration: Finance
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Schools: CBS '14 (M)
Posts: 390
Kudos: 21
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 30 Jan 2012, 08:30
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Probably a fair question I think many may be interested in. If you are attending a target program (M7) for MBB recruiting, have a 700+ GMAT score (I know resume filter on score is applicable usually), and solid work experience... how much are you hindered by undergrad record? This is two-fold. First in my case... went to small private school highly ranked regionally but not nationally recognized but had 3.9+ gpa... and also about the case of those who went to higher ranked schools but with poor GPA. Have you, or anyone in your office, attended a lower ranked undergrad or had lower undergrad GPA but attained an internship or full-time offer from MBB firm while at business school?
User avatar
MDF
User avatar
Joined: 20 Jun 2010
Last visit: 25 Nov 2015
Posts: 488
Own Kudos:
83
Given Kudos: 27
Concentration: Strategy, Economics
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2014
Schools: Chicago (Booth) - Class of 2014
Posts: 488
Kudos: 83
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 30 Jan 2012, 09:40
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
^I too am interested in this.

From what I've read, strong academics and work experience will only get you the first interview. But once you land that interview, you're on a level playing field with everyone else. Getting an offer primarily boils down to how you well you execute during the case.

I do have a strong GMAT score, but I'm wondering if my average GPA from a top 50 state school will be a hinderance to landing that first interview.
avatar
Rogue310
avatar
Joined: 20 Dec 2011
Last visit: 30 Mar 2012
Posts: 12
Own Kudos:
8
Posts: 12
Kudos: 8
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 30 Jan 2012, 09:50
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Your undergrad record is not as important. It's still reviewed, but your work experience, your GMAT, your business school / activities in business school, and finally your ability to network at recruiting events and with friends at your target company is much more important. I know plenty of folks at my shop who come from pretty normal backgrounds but went to a top-tier bschool and got through the hoops to get a job.

And yes, once you're given an interview you are more or less on an even field with everyone else.
User avatar
hamm0
User avatar
Joined: 31 Oct 2011
Last visit: 31 Mar 2015
Posts: 474
Own Kudos:
291
Given Kudos: 57
Schools: Johnson '16 (M)
GMAT 1: 690 Q45 V40
WE:Asset Management (Mutual Funds and Brokerage)
Schools: Johnson '16 (M)
GMAT 1: 690 Q45 V40
Posts: 474
Kudos: 291
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 30 Jan 2012, 09:53
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
MDF
^I too am interested in this.

From what I've read, strong academics and work experience will only get you the first interview. But once you land that interview, you're on a level playing field with everyone else. Getting an offer primarily boils down to how you well you execute during the case.

I do have a strong GMAT score, but I'm wondering if my average GPA from a top 50 state school will be a hinderance to landing that first interview.
Show more

Sounds like the boat I'm hoping to be in (GMAT 2/25, avg/low GPA)

Rouge provided some insight, but I'm interested in hearing more from other MBB/consultants
User avatar
BeyondCasePrep
User avatar
Joined: 22 Jul 2013
Last visit: 17 Apr 2014
Posts: 34
Own Kudos:
54
 [11]
Status:Alumni and Career Coaches
Affiliations: MBB
Location: United States
Posts: 34
Kudos: 54
 [11]
Question to those at MBB post-MBA Updated on: 03 Aug 2013, 07:25
Originally posted by BeyondCasePrep on 23 Jul 2013, 08:59.
Last edited by BeyondCasePrep on 03 Aug 2013, 07:25, edited 1 time in total.
9
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi there,

I spent 2 years at BCG after graduating from Duke, and was very active in the recruiting process (e.g. screening candidates and conducting on-campus interviews) so I wanted to add some observations:

In terms of determining the interview list, the MBB firms use both a quantitative resume scoring system combined with qualitative observations from all of the interactions with candidates.

On the quant side, you are assigned different point values for the caliber of your undergrad and MBA programs (or other grad degrees), your bschool GPA, GMAT, prestige of your previous employers, demonstrated impact /advancement professionally, and leadership experience. Based on the total score across all these dimensions you are categorized as either being a likely or not likely interview candidate. The resume scoring often influences who gets invited to certain "high-priority" events like firm dinners, etc.

On the qualitative side, the firms keep detailed notes on all their interactions with you whether that's at their company presentation, cocktail events, or mock interviews. The are trying to evaluate your communication ability (e.g. can you speak well?) as well as how well you'd fit in as a member of the team or in front of clients (are you awkward? are you arrogant?).

In forming the interview list they take into account all these factors.

Additionally, the interview lists are shaped by both the on-campus "specialists" as well as the specific offices. Behind the scenes, offices have certain numbers of interview "slots" for each school, so there is a lot of give-and-take behind the scenes. (For example, the Boston office might be really high on a candidate so they push hard to proceed with the interview, even if the school-specific recruiting team was luke-warm on the candidate).

Once you get to the interview stages, everyone has a more or less equal chance regardless of whether you were at the top of the list, or the last one who made the closed list. It all comes down to executing during the interviews.

For those of you who are relatively weak along one of the quant dimensions they evaluate you on, take heart. I went to a smaller regional undergrad (so I was a lot lower on that dimension than my Ivy-League peers), but was able to overcome that by virtue of a strong GMAT, networking, packaging my resume effectively, and then performing strongly in my mock cases; and then ultimately the interviews themselves.

Please check out our new thread "ask Beyond Case Prep - advice from MBB alumni" and feel free to ask any consulting related questions. ask-beyondcaseprep-consulting-information-from-mbb-alumni-156850.html
avatar
chains1910
avatar
Joined: 28 May 2012
Last visit: 09 Jan 2018
Posts: 130
Own Kudos:
48
Given Kudos: 27
Location: United States
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 1: 710 Q43 V45
GMAT 2: 700 Q42 V42
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
GPA: 3.51
WE:Marketing (Consulting)
Products:
My Reviews
Schools: Kellogg '15 (D) Wharton '15 (D) McCombs '15 (D) McDonough '15 (A$) HBS '15 (D) Stern '15 (WL) CBS '15 (D)
GMAT 3: 760 Q48 V48
Posts: 130
Kudos: 48
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 02 Aug 2013, 13:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Awesome feedback! Thanks for the insight
User avatar
MBAbot
User avatar
Non-Human User
Joined: 01 Oct 2013
Last visit: 01 Oct 2013
Posts: 988
Own Kudos:
47
Posts: 988
Kudos: 47
Question to those at MBB post-MBA 01 Jul 2015, 05:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hello from the GMAT Club MBAbot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.