Hi
I see that a lot of consultants at strategy& beirut and dubai are AUB engineering or finance alumni, and they get in straight after graduation. Do these firms exclusively hire from this target school or do they accept non target schools from outside the region as well?
No, they definitely do not hire exclusively from American University of Beirut.
That said, AUB is one of the strongest feeder schools for Strategy& in the Middle East, particularly for the Beirut office, so what you're observing is real.
The reason is a combination of:
However, Middle East offices also hire plenty of people from:
I've worked in the GCC and can tell you that teams are generally quite international.
What matters more than whether your university is "target" or "non-target" is:
If you're coming from a non-target school outside the region, it may be slightly harder to get noticed initially, but it is absolutely not a deal breaker.
In fact, many Middle East offices are accustomed to hiring people with diverse educational backgrounds, especially if they bring strong international exposure or relevant industry experience.
So I wouldn't focus too much on competing with AUB graduates. I'd focus on making sure your profile clearly answers:
"Why consulting?" and "Why the Middle East?" because those tend to matter a lot in the recruiting process.
AUB is genuinely a top feeder for Strategy& Middle East, especially Beirut and Dubai, but it's not the only path in.
The reason AUB dominates. Strategy& runs proper campus recruiting there. The engineering and finance programs are strong, and there's a long alumni pipeline that refers good candidates. Same goes for LAU, KFUPM, AUC, and AUS.
If you're a non-target candidate from outside the region. Still possible, just harder. You need stronger signals like top GPA, known internships, leadership, plus a real regional connection or Arabic. Direct outreach to consultants for referrals matters a lot.
Things that help. Engineering or finance background fits their profile. Genuine commitment to the region. Energy or financial services experience is a bonus.
Apply directly, hit up non-AUB consultants on LinkedIn who got in, and apply to MBB, OW, Kearney, Roland Berger in parallel.
Good luck.
Hi there,
Being from a target school increases your chances of passing screening, but doesn't guarantee them. If you don't come from a target school, then your application needs to 'do more work' in that sense, making it clear that you're a very strong profile. So I would put extra care in how the CV is defined and also in getting referrals.
Sharing here some information on the latter:
• • Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals
Best,
Cristian
No, Strategy& Middle East does not hire exclusively from AUB — what you are seeing is a feeder concentration, not a closed door.
AUB appears frequently, especially in Beirut, because of long-standing recruiting relationships, a large alumni base, and a consistently strong region-fluent candidate pool. That compounds over time. Candidates also enter Middle East offices from other regional schools and universities in Europe, the UK, and North America, although the exact recruiting channels and eligibility vary by office and hiring cycle.
If you are from a non-target or outside the region, focus on three levers:
1. A credible “why the Gulf” story. Language, nationality, prior regional exposure, or a specific reason you want to build a career there. Offices want evidence of genuine regional commitment, not simply MBB-anywhere.
2. Targeted networking. Warm introductions and office-specific conversations can materially improve your odds, particularly when your school is not a standard feeder.
3. The fundamentals. Strong academics, relevant experience, structuring, math, and clear communication still gate the process.
These factors can materially improve a non-target candidate’s chances, but they do not eliminate the CV-screening disadvantage. Check the current recruiting route and eligibility for the exact office, then compensate with regional intent, relevant proof points, and focused networking.
