Pass Grade only for Medicine

Hi there,

1) Compared to undergraduate degrees, it is more difficult or easier to get into MBB with MD qualification?

If you are applying for the same position, the bar from their side will be the same. If not done already, you will have to develop some business knowledge that other candidates might have naturally acquired with their degrees.

2) How will pass grade only transcript affect my application?  Do MBB recruitment require the university to provide full transcript with the raw marks?  How important are grades for MD vs Bachelor degree holders

In most countries, there is an initial GPA screening for new grads for BSc or MSc. With some advanced degrees (eg MBA) you don't have to report grades (although you can indicate if you are on Dean's List or top x%).

If you have a low GPA, you will have to compensate with something else (eg relevant work experience, referrals). You don't have to report the GPA on your CV (and I would not recommend to report if it is low) but they might ask for a transcript.

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

3) For Medicine applicants, do we need to do non-medical internship during our course before applying to MBB?  This may be challenging as the semester breaks are shorter than other courses and harder to secure internships during these breaks.

Not compulsory, however could be nice to have to get more business knowledge and show your interest to switch to business.

4)  Please provide other advise and tips on how medicine student can be successful to secure offer from MBB.

You can find some general tips below:

▶ How to Prepare for a Consulting Interview

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there, 

You have an interesting profile. Let me take your questions one by one.

1. Compared to undergraduate degrees, it is more difficult or easier to get into MBB with MD qualification?

I'd actually say it's easier than the average because MD qualifications are very competitive, so consulting firms assume you must have a very strong skill set. Of course, compared to candidates who have an undergraduate degree in Business you might not fare that well. 

2. How will pass grade only transcript affect my application?  Do MBB recruitment require the university to provide full transcript with the raw marks?  How important are grades for MD vs Bachelor degree holders

You can explain that they only provide a pass and no other further indicators of performance. You can add estimates of your relative level of performance compared to peers in that section. Actually getting some expert support on your CV will make a critical difference in passing screening. It's support important to make sure that you highlight your skills rather than your experience when you are making a transition across industries.

3. For Medicine applicants, do we need to do non-medical internship during our course before applying to MBB?  This may be challenging as the semester breaks are shorter than other courses and harder to secure internships during these breaks.

Ideally you'd have some sort of internship experience in consulting because this signals to recruiters that you have a long-term interest in consulting and the sort of skillset that they're looking for. You can also look into doing an internship with a boutique firm that might be more flexible in taking you for a shorter amount of time or whenever your MD program allows.

4.  Please provide other advise and tips on how medicine student can be successful to secure offer from MBB.

I've worked with a couple of MDs by now and the most important thing is having clarity over your value proposition and positioning that effectively in the CV and cover letter. That will get your foot in the door. Afterwards, you're judged on the same level as other candidates. 

You can also leverage this guide I wrote on how to maximize your chances during the recruitment process:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

1. Compared to undergraduate degrees, it is more difficult or easier to get into MBB with MD qualification?

If you are recruiting via your school (as in, the advantage type programs), it is much easier. That is because there is a smaller pool of candidates and MBB values the direct path.

However, if you are recruiting after graduating (not through channels), there's not much different.

Just to confirm, I'm talking about an MD as in the advanced doctor of medecine degree (taking more than the 3-4 years for bachelors)
2. How will pass grade only transcript affect my application?  Do MBB recruitment require the university to provide full transcript with the raw marks?  How important are grades for MD vs Bachelor degree holders

Grades arne't really important for advanced degree holders (for reference, MBA candidates do not report grades)
3. For Medicine applicants, do we need to do non-medical internship during our course before applying to MBB?  This may be challenging as the semester breaks are shorter than other courses and harder to secure internships during these breaks.

Try for it. If you can, it helps you stand out!

4.  Please provide other advise and tips on how medicine student can be successful to secure offer from MBB.

Network.

Get consulting-related experience/projects/work

Avoid having an overly scientific resume

Please read this as well (applies for all roles): https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

Hi,

here are my comments to your questions:

1. The difficulty of getting into MBB (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG) with an MD qualification compared to an undergraduate degree can vary. It's important to note that MBB firms typically value diverse backgrounds and skill sets, and they do hire candidates with medical degrees.
2. The impact of a pass grade only transcript on your application can depend on the specific policies and preferences of each MBB firm. While grades are important in the selection process, MBB recruitment teams consider various factors beyond academic performance. They assess candidates based on their problem-solving abilities, leadership potential, communication skills, and overall fit with the consulting industry. It's possible that MBB firms may request the full transcript with raw marks, but the weight placed on grades may differ for MD holders compared to those with a bachelor's degree. Your medical degree and clinical experience can be valuable assets that differentiate you from other candidates.
3. Non-medical internships during your course may not be mandatory for Medicine applicants. They typically value a diverse range of experiences, so if you have opportunities to pursue internships during your breaks, it can provide additional exposure to different industries, enhance your skill set and most importantly let you see if consulting is the right career path for you. However, it's important to understand the demands of your medical course and prioritize your academic commitments. If securing internships during shorter semester breaks is challenging, you can consider other ways to gain relevant experience, such as research projects, leadership roles in medical organizations, or involvement in healthcare-related initiatives.
4. Here are some tips for success as a medicine student seeking to secure an offer from MBB:

• Develop strong problem-solving skills: MBB firms place great emphasis on analytical and problem-solving abilities. Focus on honing your critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and logical reasoning skills. Practice case interviews and familiarize yourself with frameworks commonly used in consulting.
• Highlight transferable skills: Showcase the transferable skills you have developed during your medical studies, such as leadership, teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Provide specific examples of situations where you demonstrated these skills effectively.
• Network and seek mentorship: Engage with professionals in the consulting industry, whether through networking events, career fairs, or online platforms. Seek mentorship from individuals who have successfully transitioned from medicine to consulting. They can provide guidance, advice, and potentially refer you to opportunities.
• Leverage your medical experience: Your medical background can be a unique selling point. Highlight how your clinical experience has developed your problem-solving abilities, ability to handle high-pressure situations, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Stay informed and demonstrate interest in business: Familiarize yourself with business concepts, industry trends, and the consulting landscape. Engage in business-related extracurricular activities, read business publications, and participate in case competitions to demonstrate your interest and commitment to the field.

Remember, each candidate's journey is unique, and success in securing an offer from MBB depends on a combination of factors. Stay focused, maintain your drive, and leverage your strengths and experiences to position yourself as a strong candidate in the consulting industry.

/Marvin

Congratulations on your impending graduation! The path from medicine to consulting, specifically MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain), is not uncommon, and in fact, many consultants have backgrounds in medicine. Now, let's go over your questions.

Difficulty of Getting into MBB with an MD: While it's not necessarily easier or more difficult to get into MBB with an MD versus an undergraduate degree, the process may be different. An MD can be viewed as a specialist degree, demonstrating a high level of discipline and commitment. That being said, MBBs are interested in a wide range of skills beyond just academics. They're looking for problem-solving skills, leadership experience, and the ability to work well on a team. Having an MD can differentiate you, but it's important to showcase these other skills as well.

Impact of Pass Grade Only Transcript: MBB firms do look at academic performance, so a pass grade only transcript may make it difficult for them to assess your academic abilities. However, this isn't a deal-breaker. They will consider the rigor of your studies (an MD is quite demanding), as well as other aspects of your profile. If your university provides a letter explaining the grading system, that could be helpful. However, raw marks or rankings are not typically requested by these firms.

Internships: Internships are not required, but they can certainly help to bolster your business experience, particularly if you haven't had much exposure to business concepts in your course of study. If securing an internship is challenging, consider other ways to demonstrate your interest in business and your transferable skills. This could be through campus clubs, case competitions, or even relevant online courses.

Advice for Medicine Students: Here are a few tips:

• Leverage Your Medical Training: Medicine trains you in problem-solving, working under pressure, and working with a diverse group of stakeholders—all skills that are valuable in consulting. Be ready to discuss these skills and provide examples during your interviews.
• Understand the Business World: Familiarize yourself with basic business concepts and trends in the healthcare industry. This will help demonstrate your interest and potential to contribute from Day 1.
• Network: Reach out to current MBB consultants who have a background in medicine. They can provide valuable advice and potentially even referrals.
• Case Prep: Regardless of your background, good case interview performance is critical. Spend significant time preparing for this part of the interview.

Hope this helps and best of luck with your applications!

Hello,

To answer your questions:

1. An MD qualification can only help you! Besides generalist roles, you’d also look good for specialist consulting positions due to your medical expertise. So it’s difficult to say in general because it’s always going to depend on what candidate profile the particular office you are interested in is looking for, but an advanced degree is always a plus.

2. If this is university policy, it’s not a big deal, and won’t affect your application or your chances much. If there is a more comprehensive transcript you can request, you can provide that instead if you feel more comfortable, but I don’t think you will be required to.

3. More work experience via internships is always helpful, but not strictly necessary for your application. If you have a medical background, it’s understandable that most of your internships will be in the medical field too. So if it’s not possible for you to intern during your breaks, don’t worry.

4. As I’d advise any candidate – the key at the initial stage is going to be networking! Your medical background and degree can provide a good point of connection for you – you could reach out to consultants at the firms you want to work at who have MDs, for instance, and ask them about their experience at the firm. Getting a referral is always tremendously helpful for advancing your application through the initial stages. Be sure to spend lots of time polishing your resume and CV before applying – you’re going to want to present your experience and background in medicine in a way that most appeals to consulting recruiters.

Who wants to get in for sure - starts to prepare in advance and puts maximum effort into it. A good tutor builds an individual trajectory of classes with a person, relying not only on his knowledge, but also on his psychological characteristics, his motivation or lack thereof. A good tutor will not only teach the mentee the basic subjects, but also give him vital learning skills. For example, he will teach how to allocate his time wisely (so-called time management), summarize the information received, as well as tell him little tricks that will be useful in university.