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Background check - GPA & Grades

Hi Guys, 

Do you know if MBB checks submitted grade transcprits or GPA, as part of their background check processes (after the offer has been sent)? (Considering a scenario when candidates submitted their transcripts initially, within European offices)

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Top answer
Moritz
Coach
on Feb 23, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises

Hey there,

Once you accept an offer from MBB, this typically triggers a pretty comprehensive background check (details vary by region).

This includes, among other things, your academic record. Usually though, it's just about whether you have the degree you claim to have - not so much the grade. Hence, they won't necessarily ask for your transcripts (however, if you claim to have a degree with distinction it really needs to show on the degree certificate that they will ask you to submit).

Same logic goes for previous positions by the way. MBB will want to confirm the dates and positions at your previous companies but they don't go into detail with HR.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

Anonymous
on Feb 23, 2022
Thanks you. So a 3rd part provider, upon an offer within European offices, will rarely check GPA/Transcripts with the university that candidates claim on their CV?
Moritz
Coach
on Feb 24, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises
This could play out in different ways. If you don't provide transcripts, they are not going to ask your school for them. However, it wouldn't be unreasonable for them to ask you directly for transcripts to corroborate what's on your CV. If indeed you made false claims about GPA, you're in a bit of trouble. Twisting job descriptions a little in your resume is one thing but giving false GPAs is obviously a complete no go.
Moritz
Coach
on Feb 24, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | High impact sessions + FREE materials & exercises
I will be blunt - I don't really like this line of questioning (nothing personal). If you were honest, you don't have anything to worry about. If not, you will have to live with any consequences.
Ian
Coach
edited on Feb 23, 2022
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Let's put it this way: If you lied about your GPA you should be scared (and you should never do it again).

If you did not lie about your GPA you should be fine.

If you were expelled from school or failed multiple classes this could come up and could be an issue.

Anonymous A
on Feb 27, 2022
That makes perfectly sense Ian! Do you know how the background check process works in Europe for MBB, upon an offer?
Udayan
Coach
on Feb 24, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience

Hi,

There is a background check process. The focus is more on the college you attended and whether you graduated etc and less on the grades. However if the grades are very different to what you reported it might be an issue. Can you clarify what your concern is?

Anonymous A
on Feb 24, 2022
Hi there, thank you. I was just wondering the level of depth that 3rd party can go while doing a background check with uni?
Udayan
Coach
on Feb 24, 2022
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /12 years recruiting experience
What are you worried about? I think every company has a different process some might request a transcript some wont care
on Feb 23, 2022
Empathic coach, former McKinsey Engagement Manager |Secure offers from top consulting firms

Dear candidate, I apologize for not fully having understood the questions. Depending on the office and position you may be asked to submit transcripts and most want you to mention GPAs on the CV

Anonymous A
on Feb 23, 2022
Thank you. If a 3rd party will perform the background check, will they check grades, if originally transcripts were submitted? (European offices)
Sara
Coach
on Feb 23, 2022
Ex-McKinsey |Former McKinsey Interviewer|Tailored Interview Prep| 7 years Teaching Experience
The third-party will contact your university to get verification that you graduated from the school/major you are claiming. No grades will be discussed
Clara
Coach
on Mar 01, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Background checks are nothing to be worried about, as long as you haven´t lied (e.g., saying that you graduated from Uni X when you didn´t, or that you worked in Company Y 2 years instead of 6 months). Minor things, such as 1 month differences, etc. don´t matter. 

Most of the times, they are done by 3rd party companies to which the job is externalized. If they find any discrepancy, they contact you first and clarify it with you. 

For instance, with the MIT background check I had the issue that the external name of my Amazon job is not the same as the one Amazon uses internally -and that was the name given in the certificated that Amazon gives oficially-. It was easily solved by an HR doc that explained that both were the same thing. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Pedro
Coach
on Feb 28, 2022
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

They will confirm you have the degree but not the individual grades.

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