MBB rejection - Suggestions

Hi there,

First take a breath. Getting rejected by Bain and BCG at screening is discouraging but it’s not a verdict on your potential. Your profile is strong EDHEC with a 3.9 GPA an engineering background and project management experience in renewables all fit well within the typical consulting pool. Many candidates who eventually get in are rejected once or twice first.

Reapplying in eight to nine months is reasonable but the key is not to prep nonstop. The most effective approach is phased preparation step back briefly then work on clear gaps like assessments or structuring then ramp up closer to the next cycle. This avoids burnout and makes the effort feel purposeful rather than endless.

It also helps to broaden your funnel. Tier 2 firms are actively hiring and firms like EY Parthenon in particular do have ongoing recruitment in many markets so you’re not limited to waiting on MBB alone. Case prep builds transferable skills so even if you don’t get in next cycle the time isn’t wasted.

MBB cooldowns are typically around twelve months though this can vary by office and the best way to confirm is via the recruiter or rejection email.

Happy to help you make a plan including how to build a strong Plan B if useful.

Best,
Evelina

hey there :)

This is a very normal spot to be in and your profile is honestly strong enough to justify a reapplication, especially if you work specifically on assessments and casing rather than grinding blindly. Motivation usually comes back when you turn this into a structured plan with clear milestones and when you keep living your life and building your profile in parallel so it never feels wasted. Even if MBB does not work out next time, the prep almost always pays off for Tier 2 and strong strategy roles. Cooldown periods are typically around 12 months but the safest way is a polite email to recruiting. Tier 2 firms in Italy often recruit off cycle and roles open sporadically, so networking with consultants there is usually more effective than waiting for postings. It feels impossible now, but many people get in on their second or third try, so if you want this, it is still very realistic. Happy to chat more if helpful.

best,
Alessa :)

The best way is to show them that that rejection was a mistake - they should’ve taken you earlier

Some years after initial no, I had offers from Goldman Sachs and McKinsey because I didn’t think about returning to them all day but try to excel in whatever field I got into

It absolutely sucks to be filtered out when you know your profile is strong. Given your EDHEC GPA, the technical engineering foundation, and solid 2.5 years of relevant PM experience, you are demonstrably qualified for these roles. When a profile like yours is rejected at the CV or screening assessment stage, it’s almost always a volume control mechanism, not a lack of quality. They simply hit their regional headcount quota before they got to your application file.

Regarding reapplication, your instinct is correct, but the timeline needs adjustment. To be seen as a truly fresh candidate, you need to treat the cooldown period as at least 12 months from the date of your final rejection. Aiming for 8–9 months is too aggressive, as the automated systems often flag you as a recent applicant, especially if you failed the assessment (which is a hard filter entry). Use this required downtime strategically.

The best way to eliminate the fear of "wasting time" is to pivot your focus away from only studying cases. For the next six months, make sure you add real, demonstrable substance to your current role. Focus on securing a promotion, leading a high-impact project, or achieving a quantifiable result that you can translate into a powerful new bullet point on your resume. If you focus solely on case practice for nine months, you are putting all your eggs into the MBB basket. If you focus on professional growth, you maximize your leverage for MBB Round 2 and ensure you are a stronger, more competitive candidate for Tier 2 firms.

For the Tier 2 firms in Italy, know that they rarely operate on strict annual campus cycles like MBB does. Firms like Strategy&, L.E.K., and Kearney, especially in smaller continental offices, post roles dynamically based on project need and capacity, often labeled as Senior Associate or Consultant roles (which perfectly fit your 2.5 years of experience). Keep checking their careers pages every two weeks, and more importantly, use your network to find out when they are ramping up. They will not wait for a specific quarter.

All the best!

Hi!

Sorry to hear about the rejection, but stay positive! Its not that uncommon for candidates to get offers after a few tries. 3 actionable steps I would suggest:

1. Keep working on your case prep, even if its 1-2 hours a week or during the weekends. Worst case: even if you don't end up in consulting, the skills you learn from case prep (structuring, concise communication, problem solving, etc.), can still be applied and help you excel in any role you end up in, so don't think of it as a waste of time or resource.
2. Keep trying new things or get yourself in a position to gain new experiences at your current job - this is help expand your experience and knowledge, and also beefs up your CV and stories you could use in the fit part of the interview
3. Keep applying to other consulting firms - MBB is not the only option, and also good to gain some real case interview experience. Don't wait for positions to be posted online / career sites, actively reach out to recruiters, or network with your connections to understand their hiring process. Through networking, also try to learn if consulting is an industry you'd enjoy working in. From my experience, its not uncommon for consulting firms to hire out of usual cycles to meet business needs (not always predictable), some even hire all year round, so don't wait for postings on websites, just reach out to the firm's recruiters on LinkedIn.

Don't give up and all the best! Feel free to reach out if you need help with case prep. 
 

I think you first need to diagnose why you didn't pass screening. 

Was the CV not good enough? If yes, how? Missing relevant experience? Badly written (not making the best of the experience you had)?

Were you missing referrals? 

Did you apply for the wrong role? 

Did you perform poorly or average on the screening tests?

Once you have a hypothesis on this, you can be more targeted about what to change. 

I would recommend, and this applies to all candidates, to get a professional review of their CV. Honestly, 2-5% of the CVs I see are ready to be sent out. The rest aren't making the most of the experiences they have there because the content is not written well enough, it's not hitting the right points. 

Then, re how you can confirm when you can reapply - just contact the recruiters from your target office. But typically it's 1 year, with some exception permitting reapplication at 6-9 months. 

Best,
Cristian