Given my experience so far, am I competitive for Big 4 consulting internships or aiming too high?

Short answer: yes, you are competitive; you’re not aiming too high.

You already have a solid profile (UT Austin, ~3.65 GPA, early consulting exposure, leadership, relevant internships) and Big 4 consulting internships are realistic from where you stand. That said, you’re not a lock yet so you should apply broadly across Big 4 and boutiques.

The main areas of improvement in my opinion are:

• Consulting signal  still a bit light; student consulting orgs, case competitions, nonprofit projects would strengthen your story
• Brand name exposure is limited; not a dealbreaker, but it increases the importance of networking
• GPA is solid but not standout; you’ll need to differentiate through impact and narrative

From a practical standpoint I would recommend you to:

• Build a clear “why consulting” story
• Network consistently with UT Austin alumni in consulting
• Start case interview prep early as performance there is decisive

Best,
Franco

Hey, giving you a slightly different perspective on this. I would not be so positive because UT Austin is a huge school. I would try to do more on the internship front (e.g., an in-semester internship).

The key point is what your GPA is in percentile terms (recruiters will know this and unfortunately care about this because it's hard to otherwise evaluate folks from the same uni).

But don't let that discourage you! At the end of the day, breaking into consulting is largely a matter of luck and numbers. The more applications you drop, the more coffee chats you schedule, and the more case prep you do, the better your odds become. You already have a great foundation—a quantitative major, early internship experience, and solid leadership roles. Keep stacking those numbers in your favor by casting a wide net that includes both the Big 4 and boutique firms. If you put in the reps and stay resilient, the right opportunity will eventually line up for you!

Best,

Tom

Hi,

Short answer: you’re absolutely competitive for Big 4 consulting internships — you’re not aiming too high.

From what you described, you already have most of the signals they look for at that stage:

• solid GPA (3.6+ is typically fine for screening)
• relevant exposure (you already did a consulting internship — that’s a big plus)
• leadership + extracurriculars
• another internship lined up (even if not pure consulting, still valuable)

That’s already a strong sophomore profile.

Where I think you should be careful is not “whether you’re competitive,” but how you play the recruiting strategy.

I wouldn’t choose between Big 4 or boutiques. I’d apply to both.

Reason is simple:

• Big 4 → structured pipelines, more roles, but more competitive
• boutiques → fewer applicants, often more flexible profiles

So it’s not either/or — it’s a portfolio approach.

A couple of things that will make the biggest difference for you:

First, how you position your experience.
Your freshman consulting internship is very valuable — make sure it’s impact-focused (what you actually did + results), not just tasks.

Second, your upcoming internship.
Even if it’s finance/startup, you can position it in a consulting way:
problem-solving, analysis, ownership, working with ambiguity.

Third, networking.
For Big 4 especially, talking to a few people before applying can help you stand out more than just submitting online.

Fourth, basic case prep.
You don’t need to be perfect for Big 4, but you do need to be comfortable with structure and communication. Starting early will give you an edge.

If I had to be direct:

• your profile is already in range for Big 4
• boutiques are a good parallel option, not a fallback
• execution (CV + networking + basic casing) will matter more than adding more activities

You’re on a good track — just make sure you convert what you already have into a strong story.

Best,

Soheil

Hi, yes, it’s realistic. You’re not aiming too high.

For your stage, your profile is solid. UT Austin is a strong school, your GPA is good, and having already done a consulting internship as a freshman is a big plus. Leadership roles and another internship lined up also help. You’re definitely in range for Big 4.

Two things to keep in mind.

First, don’t treat this as an either/or decision. Apply to Big 4, but also to boutiques. They’re not a downgrade at all and can actually be a very strong entry point.

Second, from now on it’s less about adding more to your CV and more about how you position what you already have. What will matter most is:

* how clearly you explain your story

* why consulting makes sense for you

* how well you perform in interviews

If you can add a small consulting-related experience this summer (like a non-profit project), great — but it’s not critical. You already have a solid base.

Overall: yes, Big 4 is a realistic target. Keep your options open and focus on preparation.

If you want, feel free to DM — happy to help with positioning or prep.

Hi there,

Yes, it is realistic. But I would encourage you to think about the process slightly differently.

Most candidates underestimate the control they have over their recruiting process. Meaning, regardless of your preparation, things will pop up along the way that will influence your trajectory e.g., waking up with a cold on interview day.

To manage this risk, it's best to develop an application strategy that diversifies it a bit more. I'm sharing a guide below that gives a deeper account of this, but, at least, make sure you apply to 10+ firms and try to go through the recruitment process with as many as possible. 

And if you do decide to get expert help, get it early in the process so it makes the biggest difference in your trajectory.

• • Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

Yes, you're competitive. For any undergraduate my main advice would be as follows:

1. Maintain a high GPA
2. Make sure to get an internship every summer (consulting-related internships are best, part-time during school year also help)
3. Get a leadership position at a club or two
4. Join the consulting club

It sounds like you're already doing all of these things — make sure to also enjoy life a little bit!

My course covers the full recruiting journey end-to-end if you ever want a structured approach: 360 Degree Course

Hey! 

NICE! I also went to UT! :) 

You’re absolutely competitive for Big 4 internships, your profile is already stronger than you think. A UT Austin math major with a 3.65, a freshman‑year consulting internship, leadership roles, finance clubs, and a startup internship is exactly the kind of well‑rounded early‑career profile Big 4 likes to see.

For sophomore‑to‑junior recruiting, Big 4 is realistic. In fact, many candidates who land Big 4 internships have less relevant experience than you.

That said, it’s smart to apply to both Big 4 and boutiques. Big 4 is competitive, and boutiques give you more shots on goal and often great hands‑on experience.

If you keep building your story and get a bit of case prep under your belt, you’ll be in a strong position for junior‑year recruiting.

Alessa

Your profile is genuinely competitive for Big 4 internships. You're not aiming too high.

UT Austin is a strong target school. 3.65 GPA clears most cutoffs. Math major with business minors plus prior consulting and finance internships and leadership roles is a solid Big 4 profile.

Three things to focus on. Lock in the nonprofit consulting project this summer for a sharper story. Start networking now, by application time you want 5 to 10 warm contacts per firm. Begin case prep this summer.

Don't treat boutiques as backup. Apply to both in parallel.

Good luck.

There is no such thing as aiming too high. Your profile is already solid for Big 4 and you should not stop there. With the right networking and outreach, MBB and Tier 2 strategy houses are also realistic targets.

Focus on getting your foot in the door through alumni and on campus events, and start serious case prep already. By junior year recruiting you want to be sharp and be ready !