Do I have a chance in Consulting ?

Hi Mustafa,

without knowing more of your background - it is unlikely to make it with an MD form a non-target school in the US. That said it is not impossible.

To maximize your chances:
1. Update your CV to convey that you will be a strong candidate
2. Network with people at MBB (ideally people that are at your target office and that have something in common with you - that way you can expand on that commonality
3. Prepare for interviews by familiarizing yourself with the interview process and specifically cases studies
4. Consider taking a detour via another office that has closer ties with Egypt (e.g. Middle East) and position yourself for a transfer later on (note: US will be highly in demand)

As others have said, if you share more of your profile, happy to give more tailored advice.

Best,
Lukas

Many MDs from various backgrounds have successfully secured positions at top consulting firms. While having a degree from a “target” school and demonstrating strong achievements and extracurricular involvement can be beneficial, you will also need to network extensively with these firms to maximize your chances of obtaining an interview.

Hey Mustafa! 

Great question — and the short answer is: yes, you definitely have a chance in consulting, even at MBB, especially if you position yourself well.

Let’s break it down:

✅ MD from Egypt — Can You Break into MBB?

Yes — MBB firms (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) hire doctors from international backgrounds more often than people think, especially those who:

• Show strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Can work in structured, client-facing environments
• Have a compelling story for why they’re transitioning into consulting

What matters most is how you frame your experience — even if it's not a U.S. degree, your MD still reflects intelligence, resilience, and high performance. McKinsey in particular is known for hiring people with diverse, non-business backgrounds — doctors, PhDs, military, etc.

?? Will Relocating to the U.S. Help?

It can — but only if you’re eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, or at least pursuing a visa path like H-1B, J-1, or OPT.

• If you're not yet a U.S. permanent resident or citizen, check the work eligibility requirements for each firm/office before applying.
• If you’re relocating but not work-authorized, target international MBB offices (like the Middle East, Europe, or Canada) where visa flexibility is higher.

? Does Being ECFMG-Certified Help?

Somewhat — but more from a signaling perspective:

• It shows commitment to U.S. standards and a high level of medical training
• It can help you stand out as someone serious and credible

But: ECFMG certification alone won’t guarantee interviews. It helps build your story, but the key is to link your medical background to consulting-relevant skills (analysis, leadership, adaptability, etc.)

? How to Strengthen Your Candidacy

To make a strong application:

1. Craft a clear story: Why consulting? Why now? What do you bring as a doctor?
2. Highlight transferable skills: Decision-making, teamwork, communication, data analysis, patient outcomes — all can be reframed for business.
3. Start networking: Connect with other MDs who joined consulting (search LinkedIn for “McKinsey MD” or similar).
4. Consider strategy roles in healthcare: Pharma, biotech, or hospital systems strategy teams can be good stepping stones if MBB takes time.

? Bonus Tip:

If you're still early in the transition, consider doing a Master’s (e.g., MPH, MBA, MHA) in the U.S. — many MBB hires come through those pipelines, and it also helps with work authorization.

Alessa

Hi!

I saw you have a lot of answers already but Im going to answer your comments.

"I dont have a lot in my CV except being a physician and speaking spanish gpa is 3 I am considering taking an mha , gmat , six sigma (black belt) and try to apply to m7 or t15 before any hitting on mbb I am considering."

Being a physician is enough!

What I would do is tailor your CV to include any managerial work you've done  e.g. you've managed wards, you've managed the lab work or clinical work or trails. You managed interns. These all count.

Happy to chat through this. 

I also think you don't need to do mha and six sigma if your goal is just to get into an MBB. If I were you, I'd just write the GMAT. The math's you learn there will also come in handy for case prep.

Happy to discuss and good luck!

Hi Mustafa,

Absolutely, you have a chance in consulting! MBB values diverse backgrounds, and having an MD—regardless of where it’s from—demonstrates strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and perseverance. Many doctors have successfully transitioned into consulting, especially in healthcare and life sciences-focused roles.

Since you’ll be relocating to the U.S., the key will be how you position yourself. If you have clinical or research experience, you can leverage that for roles in healthcare consulting. Being ECFMG certified may help indirectly by demonstrating your qualifications in the U.S. market, but MBB primarily looks at problem-solving skills, leadership, and business acumen.

To strengthen your chances:
    1.    Network – Connect with consultants (especially those with an MD background) on LinkedIn.
    2.    Develop business exposure – If possible, gain experience in healthcare management, policy, or startups.
    3.    Prepare for case interviews – MBB interviews focus heavily on structured problem-solving, so mastering case studies is essential.

If you’re open to an initial step in healthcare strategy roles or boutique consulting firms such as EY-Parthenon, that could also serve as a great bridge into MBB. 

Happy to help you with your prep - feel free to reach out.

Best,

Evelina

Hello there,

I’ve worked with MDs at McKinsey, that joined both after MBA and right after graduating. That was for Brazil, I understand that different offices have different recruiting pools, it may be that in the US this degree will not stand you out.

You definitely need a strong CV showing the standard requirements: good GPA, professional/extra curricular achievements, awards, etc. I don’t think being ecfmg certified will make a difference to be honest.
A referral may increase your chances of success, I would engage right now with MDs that work in the companies you’re targeting to understand how they broke through consulting. You can find them on LinkedIn.

One path that could be more effective would be to do an MBA. 

Best,

Mari

Hi Mustafa,

1) Will it be okay to fit in consulting in MBB with a MD from egypt or no?

MBB do hire MDs, therefore the degree itself is not specifically an issue. 

The possible issues might be:

1. Brand value of your school (even if it is known in Egypth, might not be recognized in the US)
2. Visa issue (in particular with the recent change in immigration policy in the US)

Additionally, you should fit the usual requirements (high GPA, well-formatted CV, if possible a referral). You can find more on the requirements below:

▶ How to Get a Consulting Interview Invitation

2) If no , does being ecfmg certified help or no? 

In general, MBB don't look for specific medical certifications, so this should not have any relevant effect.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

While generally it is possible to move into MBB with an MD (it's actually quite common with certain prerequisites, especially in Europe), directly entering MBB in the U.S. with an Egyptian MD is unlikely. U.S. MBB offices primarily recruit from top-tier US (business) schools or candidates with strong business backgrounds.

ECFMG certification alone won't significantly change this outcome. It doesn't address the issue directly, unfortunately.

To give you a full assessment, one would need your whole resume as other things are relevant too (GPA, relevant work experience, impact, etc.).

A better route would be to move to the U.S. and go for an MBA, then make the transition.

All the best,

Florian

Medical background is not an issue for consulting eligibility - there are numerous examples of practicing doctors moving to consulting and going up to Partner levels. Question is how to apply your application better and position your profile to hit the mark in your interviews.

If you share more details of your profile (number of years, etc.) over direct message, then I can provide better view.

Yes, it is ok. You will have a chance of getting into consulting.