Target school but average grades

MBB
Neue Antwort am 18. Jan. 2021
8 Antworten
714 Views
Anonym A fragte am 18. Jan. 2021

Hello, I have average grades from a target school and entrepreneurial experience but no prior consulting experience, do I have a shot a getting invited for an interview at MBB? Or is it a deal breaker?

Thank you

Übersicht der Antworten

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Datum aufsteigend
  • Datum absteigend
Beste Antwort
Francesco
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Florian
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

it might be tricky, especially now, however, you can try. In the end, the overall picture counts, and there are many contextual factors that influence the decision.

To illustrate, if you had bad grades but at the same time started a company, grew it and hired employees, and sold it to an investor, that shows that you had your priorities right. In that case, you could outweigh bad grades with entrepreneurial experience (as you specifically ask for)

In general, I always recommend early stage coachees to optimize the following four points on the resume:

  • academics (university prestige, program prestige, GPA, awards, etc.)
  • career (corporate, lower-tier consulting, working student, student projects, etc.)
  • experience abroad (exchange or internship abroad)
  • extracurriculars (captain of a team, founder of an NGO, etc.)

The more you have from the above list, the better your chances you will be. One word on the contextual factors from above. This can also vary across offices, time of hiring, the personal motivation of HR, etc.

Additionally, in your position, you need to focus on networking across all three MBBs. The more referrals you get, the higher quality and seniority these referrals are, and the more contacts you create, the better your chances will be to pass the HR screening.

All the best!

Cheers,

Florian

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Ian
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Not necessarily a deal-breaker (rarely is anything a complete dealbreaker) but you'll need to hustle. Make sure to really network to find entry points in.

If it doesn't work this year, please don't get dissuaded! I applied for BCG in undergrad and didn't even get a look (I never stood a chance)...6 years later I was in!

So, shoot for the stars, and, if you miss, get a better gun, practice your aim, and shoot again!

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Ken
Experte
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Absolutely! I'm not sure how you've defined "average" but the bar for academic achievement is much lower than people typically assume. I would say if you were in the top 30% of your class at a target school, especially in a challenging major/course then its not a big issue. What is more important is how you differentiate yourself more broadly beyond just your school and grades. Your entreprenurial experience is definitely a great one as well as your other professional or extra-curricular experience and achievements.

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Antonello
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

Grades are important but they're only a part of your application.

Highlight your experience and invest time in networking to try and obtain a referral.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Gaurav
Experte
Content Creator
bearbeitete eine Antwort am 18. Jan. 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

you definetely should try! Your grades only can't be a deal breaker. Hence, you need to make up for that with internships / experience / other projects / skills and knowledge + networking and a referral. It's pretty doable!

Consider getting some sessions with an experienced coach. Having a right strategy and support from somebody who've been through it and knows how it works not only makes it easier, but also saves your time in preparation.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

GB

(editiert)

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Clara
Experte
Content Creator
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

First of all, are you an undergrad, MBA... this changes a bit the pic and is important info in order to give you good advise.

In any case, there are harly deal-breakers.

Grades (good ones) for sure help in the application, but they are not the only way to stand-out. Seeing that you mention entrepreneurial experience, this can perfectly justified a not-academic focus.

Applications are seen in a one-by-one casis, with no clear checks or deal breakers. The sum of all the parts define the candidates that stand out, and those parts are very different among different people.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Vlad
Experte
antwortete am 18. Jan. 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Absolutely, if you are still studying. Top school will significantly increase your chances, even with average grades. try to include as much extracurricular as you can. If you have time - work for some company part-time, or do a paper.

Best

War diese Antwort hilfreich?
Francesco gab die beste Antwort

Francesco

Content Creator
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
4.512
Meetings
43.940
Q&A Upvotes
387
Awards
5,0
1616 Bewertungen
Wie wahrscheinlich ist es, dass du uns einem Freund oder Kommilitonen empfiehlst?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Nicht wahrscheinlich
10 = Sehr wahrscheinlich