Seeking Advice: BCG Associate vs. Experienced Associate Application

Hi there,

1) Given I’ve been working full-time for 6 months and hold a non-MBA Master's, should I (i) Apply to the campus Full-Time Associate position (even if I’ve graduated and am working), or (ii) Wait for a Bay Area opening and apply via the Experienced Hire path?

If you have already graduated, you should not apply for campus recruiting. At the same time, you don’t need to wait for an opening; you can look for a referral and apply through that instead, after the confirmation that the company is hiring.

2) If I pursue the experienced hire path, should I wait until BCG’s Bay Area office posts a specific opening, or should I apply 3 months before my intended start date, even if it’s not listed yet?

I would rather look for a referral, so that they can confirm that there is an opening and also refer you, which will improve your chances of an interview invitation. You can find some tips for referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Interview

▶The 3 Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Experienced hire is the way to go in your case.

Don’t forget to try and secure a referral. It’ll improve your chances vs. a cold application

Hi there,

You’re no longer eligible for on-campus recruiting — so your path is now through the experienced hire track.

That means don’t wait around for the job posting to show up. Instead, be proactive: network directly with consultants at your target office, especially partners and senior partners. Build those relationships, earn their trust, and secure a referral. That’s what will kickstart your process and put you ahead.

Best

Alberto

Hello there,

Besides what have been said, I highly recommend you to focus on a referral strategy (connect with people from BCG and alternative companies) and your CV (the most important part for you to get your foot on the door).

Happy to support you with both if needed.

Best,

Mari

Hi there,

Top-down, it's always better to apply for an experienced hire than cohort recruitment because you're not being put up against so many other candidates and because you can apply at any point.

If I were you, I'd get in touch with the recruiter, give them a sense of your experience to date, and clarify with them what role you should apply for and when the deadline is (if any). 

Best,
Cristian

Hey there!

With 6 months of full-time work and a non-MBA Master’s, you’re better suited for the Experienced Associate path. BCG typically sees campus roles as for pre-full-time grads. You don’t need to wait for a Bay Area listing, apply ~3 months before your ideal start even if not posted. Add a strong cover letter noting your past final round and office preference.

Let me know if you want help refining your application!

Best,
Alessa 😊

Hi,

You can only follow the experience hire track.

Develop a workplan taking into account your prior interview experience and current free time. I would advise take at least 1 up to 3 months before submitting your application. To increase your success rate, I would consider applying for other firms (e.g., Bain and/or BCG). 

Let me know if you need help developing a workplan.

Mattijs

Hi,

1. If you are no longer a student, you do not qualify for OCR and thus fall into the experienced hire pool/route
2. Apply when you are ready and/or the blacklist/ban period is over. They do not always advertise open positions on LinkedIn

All the best!