Hi everyone,
I’m currently an undergraduate at IIT Madras (graduating in 2027). Although I initially chose a technical branch, over time I’ve realised that my strongest interests lie in consulting, structured problem-solving, and strategic thinking rather than pure technical execution.
I’m deeply interested in long-term strategy, capital allocation, financial systems design, and solving complex institutional problems — which naturally drew me toward consulting.
Academic & Competitive Profile
- 96.6% in school; 99/100 in Mathematics
- LeetCode rating ~1900 (Top 2% globally)
- Under 1000 rank in Panasonic Programming Contest
- Strong analytical orientation with consistent quantitative performance
Independent Research Experience (Financial Systems & Treasury Architecture)
Over the past year, I have conducted independent research at the intersection of development finance, treasury systems, and regulatory-compliant capital structures — focusing particularly on cross-border liquidity and capital mobility in emerging markets.
I authored two original research papers:
• Gold-Collateralised Domestic Liquidity Replication Framework
A conceptual architecture exploring asset-backed domestic credit structures as an alternative model for cross-border remittance alignment within regulatory frameworks.
• Capital Efficiency Switch (CES)
A treasury architecture framework examining how multinational enterprises can optimise internal liquidity through synthetic exposure alignment, intercompany guarantees, and compliant domestic credit substitution mechanisms.
I also received informal feedback from professionals in development finance and treasury advisory (including individuals from the World Bank ecosystem), which helped refine these frameworks.
Current Constraint
My college GPA is ~7/10. This has limited my ability to secure on-campus consulting roles and may be affecting off-campus shortlisting as well.
However, I am fully committed to building a long-term career in consulting and am prepared to take a structured, multi-step path if necessary.
I Would Deeply Appreciate Guidance On:
Off-Campus Hiring:
Do MBB / Big 4 Strategy / Oliver Wyman / Kearney / OC&C / Alvarez & Marsal (or similar top firms) actively hire off-campus candidates in India or globally for internships or full-time roles for undergrads?
Geography Strategy:
Are certain locations (India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe) more accessible for off-cycle internships or full-time?
Is India significantly more competitive due to heavy on-campus pipelines?
I've applied for internships to some locations along with India but haven’t been shortlisted — possibly due to GPA.Application Timeline:
If I aim for 2026–27 full-time roles, when should I ideally start applying and networking?
Are there specific months when off-cycle or international roles typically open?
Visa Sponsorship:
Do top consulting firms generally provide visa sponsorship for internships or entry-level roles in the Middle East, Europe, or other regions in cases where India is not possible?
GPA Positioning Strategy:
Given a 7/10 GPA:
- Should GPA be omitted from a resume if not explicitly required?
- How can I strategically offset it (research, competitions, strong referrals, case performance, etc.)?
Alternative Pathways / Stepping Stones:
If direct entry into MBB/top-tier strategy firms proves difficult, what roles would be strong stepping stones but have aggressive and good growth?
Examples I’m considering:
- Strategy roles in high-growth startups
- Corporate strategy in large firms
- Economic/financial research roles
- Boutique consulting firms
Development finance institutions
I’m fully committed to building a long-term career in consulting and would deeply appreciate any practical advice on positioning, timelines, geography strategy, or alternative pathways.Thank you in advance!
