BCG SSA Application

Sounds like you have a great profile. 

Grades matter a lot less than candidates assume they do. And for a good reason. 

Think about it - consulting firms want top performers, people who are problem solvers, who show curiosity and innovation, who are resilient, analytical and great communicators. This doesn't necessarily mean that they have straight As (though that's often a good indicator). 

So in your application (e.g., CV), you need to emphasize all these other things that you've done which highlight the criteria mentioned above. Then in terms of the grades, I would highlight whether you've had particularly high grades in any specific course, rather than your overall course grades. 

Sharing with you a guide that can give you an insight into how to prepare an application strategy:

• Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Good luck!
Cristian

Hi there,

Your pursuit of a master's degree from a reputable U.S. university is definitely a plus for your application. Educational background plays a significant role, and being at a well-regarded institution works in your favor. 

While your GPA might not be at the top end, it's still within a respectable range. More importantly, your strong performance in consulting-specific courses and the hands-on experience you're gaining through your capstone project in strategy consulting will be very appealing to recruiters if you highlight it properly on the resume and the cover letter (create an extra GPA for those courses). Having a referral from a consultant at your target office can also boost your chances in this regard.

However, remember that your candidacy isn't just about academics. Other factors like relevant work experience, time spent abroad, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and personal skills are also crucial. These aspects can balance out any concerns about your GPA and give a more holistic view of your capabilities and fit for the role. If you have experiences in these areas, make sure to highlight them in your application and interviews.

All the best,

Florian

Hi there,

For a complete assessment, it would be useful to see your full CV/profile. Addressing your points one by one:

1) I am completing a masters degree at a reputable university in the United States, would this play any positive factor on my candidacy? 

Sure, if the brand of the school is good, that will help.

2) I do not have the highest GPA (3.3-3.5) but on my consulting coursework I have all A's, I am also completing a capstone project, which is a pure strategy consulting project. 

The GPA is a bit low (a good GPA for consulting is usually 3.7+), but the referral could compensate for it.

3) I am also getting a referral from one of the consultants at my target office, and I hold rights to work in the intended country.

This is positive and should increase your chances.

Good luck!

Francesco

It's hard to predict chance of getting an interview, even going to a target school does not necessarily guarantee an interview. A few things that are working in your favor

1. Going to a good school (although good is not always the same as target school)

2. Positive feedback from the recruiter

3. Referral from a consultant (matters most if they are partner level)

4. No visa needed!

Things that are not working in your favor

1. Lower than expected GPA 

2. Unless you are at an MBA program, a pure masters degree is not a target program for recruiting in the US.

Without know the details of your background, my main feedback would be to increase your GPA and to network aggressively to get high quality referrals for the role.

Hi there,

Look, in summary you're doing all the right things!

You're getting an advanced degree, you're networking extensively, have working rights in the country etc. Well done!

Last thing is to make sure your resume is sharp and as close to 10/10 as possible.

Finally, network and apply to lots or firms. Try not to make SSA the main focus - you want dozens of applications out there all moving through the process.

Good luck!

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Hi there,

Grades are a little below the bar. You can compensate that with the university brand. 

Make sure to include entrepreneurship activities as well to show leadership (e.g., volunteering work, consulting club, high competition sports, etc.).

Good luck!

Alberto

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Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

Hey,

It's really hard to tell without looking at your CV and knowing the exact hiring quota / evaluating criteria at a given office. On first sight, though, since you have a referral and a degree from a reputable US university, your chances of passing the screening stage are decent.

Good luck!
Nick

You seem to have a good profile and consulting firms are interested in you.

At this point, only more granular feedback (which would require looking into your CV) would be relevant to you.