Question to those at MBB post-MBA

Question

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?

MDF · Answer

^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.

Rogue310 · Answer

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.

And yes, once you're given an interview you are more or less on an even field with everyone else.

hamm0 · Answer

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

BeyondCasePrep · Answer

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

chains1910 · Answer

Awesome feedback! Thanks for the insight

MBAbot · Answer

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Question to those at MBB post-MBA

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