Graduation Delay for MBB NA/EU

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm in a 5-year program at a target school in the EU with the goal of breaking into MBB/Tech Consulting. I would likely apply to offices in the EU and potentially NA. Due to personal circumstances and my course schedule, I'm facing a situation where I'll need longer than the standard five years to graduate. I have two options and would appreciate your advice:

1: Graduate in 6 years. This would require overloading my schedule, which could be denied by my institution and would very likely hurt my GPA or thesis.

2: Graduate in 7 years. As the courses left are concentrated in the latter part of the term, I would have to register for a full year. However, this would allow me to take the time necessary for these courses and maintain a high GPA. As the courses left would not fill the year, I am planning to pursue internships during that period, to bolster my profile and experience.

My main concern is how MBB recruiters will view a 7-year graduation timeline. I have a solid explanation for the delay, but I'm worried that my application will be automatically screened out before I get the chance to explain myself in an interview.

Which path would you recommend? Is an extended graduation timeline an automatic red flag for MBB? Are items such as the duration of graduation checked before granting interviews or is this checked later on in the process?

Thank you for your time and effort!

Answer 1

Hi there,

An extended graduation timeline isn’t an automatic red flag for MBB as long as you maintain a strong GPA and keep building relevant experiences along the way. Recruiters tend to focus more on the quality of your academic record, internships, and leadership roles than on whether you finished in 5, 6, or 7 years.

Between your two options, graduating in 7 years with a high GPA and strong internships is generally the safer bet versus pushing for 6 years at the expense of grades or your thesis. Having internships or other meaningful activities during that extra year will also help show that you’ve used your time productively.

When it comes to applications, firms rarely reject just based on “time to graduate” unless it signals poor performance or lack of focus. As long as you frame the delay with a clear rationale and demonstrate strong results during those years, it won’t hold you back.

Best,
Evelina

Answer 2

I would not be concerned about anybody judging a 7y vs a 6y graduation timeline.

Even if it would seem strange, they want to understand way. They wouldn't just screen you out.

Plus, what matters in the screening are your results. So if a longer timeline would enable you to deliver better results, then that's what to go for.

Sharing here a guide on what firms look for in consultants and maybe that helps you get a better picture of the expectations:

Expert Guide: What Do Management Consultants Do?

Best,
Cristian

Answer 3

Hey there :)

MBB does not automatically screen out candidates just because graduation takes longer. What matters most is your GPA, experience, and how you explain the story. Many candidates take gap years, do military service, or extend studies for internships and it’s not an issue as long as you frame it positively.

Between your two options, the safer choice is graduating in 7 years if that lets you keep your GPA strong and add internships. A weaker GPA or rushed thesis is harder to justify than saying “I extended my studies to manage personal circumstances and used the time for internships, which gave me additional experience.” Recruiters usually check graduation dates only to confirm eligibility (whether you are still in the window for internship/full-time). It won’t stop you from getting an interview if the rest of your profile is strong.

So focus on keeping your academic record and experiences solid, and have a clear, concise explanation ready. That will matter far more than the extra year.

best,
Alessa :)

Answer 4

Hi there,

No, longer graduation time would not be an auto red flag.

They might ask, but as long as you have a valid reason, this won't be a hurdle for you.

Best,

Emily

Answer 5

It's not a red flag, but you will have to be able to provide a compelling reason.