What to do as a BA?

Hi there, 

Firstly, HUGE congrats on getting the offer! Super well done.

Honestly, one of the most important things to do now is to celebrate yourself & your achievement, and I am not joking. Life is short, and often difficult, so we need to make sure we celebrate the victories in life.

Second, I would recommend to enjoy the months ahead in which your next step is already decided and earned. Once you start at MBB, you will be very busy, so make sure to enjoy the free-time you have now. 

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Okay, I'll stop being a life coach now.... and actually give you the answer you're likely looking for: "What could I do to prepare myself for starting work as an MBB consultant".

There are lots of things you "could do", but try to make sure to not overdo it. MBB firms will give you plenty of training and ramp-up opportunities when you join (e.g., they will spend 2-3 weeks in the beginning solely on training, followed by a first staffing where you get the opportunity to ramp-up).

Here are a few other things you "could do" to prep:

1. Practice the Excel basics (e.g., how to do Index-Match/VLookup, etc.)

2. Practice the PPT basics (e.g., what formatting "rules" does your firm tend to have, and how do you follow that in an efficient manner)

3. (Nice to have): Take a Python intro-course, in case you do not have any programming experience --> Todays consulting is different than 10 years ago. Having a basic knowledge of Python, and how to utilize it to wrangle datasets can make you a rockstar associate that can much more efficiently develop models than your excel colleagues.

4. Practice Communications: At MBB, everything is done in teams - having a decent understanding of how to motivate yourself and your team-mates, how to have difficult conversations, how to deliver feedback, etc - can be invaluable. There are plenty of videos online that can help you prep this (or a coach of course).

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There are a few other things you could practice (e.g., how to read an annual statement), but the 4 points above are more than enough to get you ahead of the curve before your internal training when you start with MBB.

Hope this helps!

PS: If you ever feel that you are struggling once you've started your MBB journey, don't hesitate to reach out to a coach here on PrepLounge. The coaches here have been in your shoes and many of them are likely well equipped to help you navigate whatever obstacle(s) you may be facing in your journey.

Sincerely, 
Thor

Congratulations, that is a massive achievement. You successfully treated the recruiting process like a complex problem to solve, and you won—which is exactly why you're now feeling this post-offer anxiety. It's a classic overachiever cycle: Once the goal is met, the brain immediately searches for the next stressor.

Here is the truth: The preparation required to get the offer (case prep, structure, mental math) has almost zero overlap with the preparation that matters for success on the job. Your firm has world-class training programs; they are designed to teach you their methodology, tools, and technical skills (Excel, PowerPoint) from scratch. Trying to self-study advanced topics now will lead to burnout and wasted effort, as you will just be unlearning and relearning their specific flavor of modeling in September.

The single highest-leverage thing you can do between now and your start date is simple: Do nothing related to consulting work. Take the epic trip you couldn't take while studying, spend time with friends and family, and establish robust healthy habits (sleep schedule, exercise). The working hours are intense—expect stretches of 60 to 80 hours a week when traveling, and the job is mentally demanding. Your firm is paying you to be rested and ready to absorb information in September, not stressed and half-burned out by August.

If you absolutely must scratch that preparation itch, focus on two soft areas:

1. Networking: If you know your start cohort or have been assigned a firm buddy/mentor, reach out. The relationships you establish before Day 1 are critical for understanding internal mechanics, securing informal coaching, and managing your initial rotation requests.

2. Context: Start following industry news related to areas that interest you (e.g., tech supply chain, private equity trends). You don't need to be an expert, but having foundational knowledge of the sectors you might eventually staff on helps you look fluent in initial client meetings.

Relax, you won. This is the last true period of total freedom you will have for a while. Use it wisely.

Hope it helps!

Congrats!

Yes, I actually wrote two materials on this that you might want to read:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Expert Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

But, generally, I would suggest two things

1. Set your life in order so that once you do get started it's easier for you to focus on work. Close any pre-existing projects. Move flats. Buy new clothes. Etc. 

2. Enjoy the free time. Once you get started, things will be quite intense. So this is a good opportunity to really do some of the the things you've always wanted to do, be it spending more time with friends or taking a trip. 

Best,
Cristian

Congrats! 

Relax, travel, indulge in hobbies - essentially enjoy the time you have before you start work. 

You’ll get all the training/exposure you need once you start. 

Hi there, 

Congrats on the offer. Don't be too worry about this. The best training is on the job training. 

That said, if you have a lot of time on hand, no harm practicing your excel and PPT - be familiar with the key board shortcuts. You could also read some of the publications from the MBB firms just to get more familiar with some of the business ideas and how they approach problems. 

Do take time to relax and recharge - the work can get hectic shortly after you start. 

Best,

Emily

hey there :)

Congrats on the offer! As a BA, the first months are mostly about learning the ropes: understanding the consulting process, structuring problems, running analyses, and supporting case teams. Expect long hours, fast-paced work, and a steep learning curve, but also lots of mentorship. To prepare, practice case interviews for your own skill refresh, brush up on Excel and PowerPoint, and read up on industry trends you might encounter. Most importantly, be ready to observe, ask questions, and absorb as much as possible, you’ll learn quickly once you start.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there,

Congrats on the offer. You’re in a great spot and it’s totally normal to feel unsure about what comes next. The work hours and pace can vary a lot by project but you’ll have a team around you and plenty of support as you ramp up. You don’t need to prep anything heavy before you start. If you want to do something, just get comfortable with basic Excel and PowerPoint and enjoy your time off. The real learning happens once you’re on the job.

Chill, dude. Assuming you're a student, make the most out of your final year and make as many memories as possible.