Unsure about consulting applications timing — MBB deadlines passed? Should I go for Tier 2/Big 4 or a Master’s?

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m currently an Industrial Engineering student with a 4.0 GPA. I graduate next spring (so in about a year). I only recently decided I want to pursue consulting (around a month ago), but I believe the MBB deadlines for this cycle in the middle east may have already passed.

My original plan was:

Work in a top consulting firm (ideally MBB) for ~2 years
Then pursue a Master’s (and maybe later a PhD)

Now I’m unsure what the best path is:

Should I still try to apply to MBB this year (is it too late)?
Or aim for Tier 2 firms or Big 4, and then reapply to MBB later?
Or should I directly go into a Master’s now and apply to consulting after?

I don’t want to make a poor strategic choice at this point. What would you recommend given my profile (strong GPA, but late in the recruiting cycle)?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Deadlines in the Middle East can be a bit opaque, but it’s worth still applying to MBB – some offices recruit on a rolling basis or reopen spots. At the same time, definitely apply to Tier 2 and Big 4 strategy arms like EY-Parthenon, Strategy&, Kearney, LEK; they’re strong platforms and make it easier to pivot to MBB later. Going straight into a Master’s isn’t ideal unless it’s at a top global school, since work experience first will give you more credibility both for consulting and grad school admissions.

Happy to help you prep - feel free to reach out!

Best,

Evelina

Answer 2

Good question — here’s how I’d think about it strategically:

Always prioritize getting your foot in the door — ideally in a role close to the kind of work MBB does (e.g., strategy, ops, transformation), or in an emerging area they care about (AI, digital, sustainability). That builds relevant reps and makes your lateral story much stronger.
If you can’t land MBB now, Tier 2 or Big 4 strategy is absolutely a viable stepping stone. But lateralling would be subject to market condition or you can go down the campus recruiting route with an MBA.
Alternatively, working in a F500 company that’s a client of MBB (especially in a high-impact role) helps build both domain expertise and credibility.
Master’s is a better pivot route than trying to “wait it out” — especially if you go to a school with strong MBB placement.
PhD is not the right play unless you’re deep in the DACH region or doing very technical work — it’s a fundamentally different track, and not worth the trade-off for most.

Hope it helps and please upvote if you find it insightful!

Answer 3

Hello!

With your profile (4.0 GPA in Industrial Engineering, strong academics, and clear motivation), you are absolutely competitive for top consulting roles as long as you feel like you have enough time to prepare for case interviews.

The key question is timing:

MBB in the Middle East – most graduate intakes run on a fixed annual cycle, opening up by end of Summer and closing by end of October / mid November (so you should still be on time). It’s still worth checking the careers sites and reaching out to recruiting contacts, as some offices occasionally open additional positions.
Tier-2 / Big 4 – applying here is a smart interim strategy / second choice. These firms provide strong consulting experience, and many consultants successfully transition to MBB after 1–2 years.
Master’s directly – this can strengthen your profile further, but going straight into a Master’s without any work experience may delay your consulting start. Most firms highly value candidates with both academic and professional credentials.

Hope this is helpful! Feel free to reach out if you want to start practicing.

Best,

Giulia