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Entering MBB

Australia MBB Australia Singapore
New answer on Nov 07, 2021
4 Answers
851 Views
Anonymous A asked on Nov 03, 2021

Hey everyone! 

Here is a short profile of me:

  • International Student from SEA with a WAM of 74 at one of the Go8 in Australia with a business degree
  • Still have 1 year left in my studies
  • Took a gap year in 2021 and did a couple of internships in my home country
    • PE at a huge Asset Management firm (4 months)
    • International Tax Advisory at a Big4 (3 months)
    • Strategy Consulting at a Tier-2 firm (6 months)
  • Strong extra-curriculums

I'm looking into applying to MBBs in Aus and SG. My questions are:- 

  • How likely am I to pass the screening round with my bad grades
  • I have an internship offer at a Big4 in Australia but it's not in consulting and was wondering what are the chances for internal transfer to their Strategy arm if I accept the grad offer for the other team

(edited)

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 03, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Your odds are 22.333% repeating.

Jokes aside, we really can't give you odds here! That said, here are some truths:

  1. What I can say is that bad grades can indeed be eliminatory (at least if recently graduated)
  2. Your internship experience incl Big4 helps counter-act this
  3. You need to network extensively to overcome your bad grades
  4. You need to make your resume as optimal as possible as well
  5. Speak with recruiters/HR to get a better idea of the grade thresholds for the companies/offices/roles that interest you

Ultimately, there's nothing here to indicate you cannot get an MBB offer. Network extensively and make your resume as good as possible to maximize your odds!

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Pedro
Expert
replied on Nov 03, 2021
Bain | Roland Berger | EY-Parthenon | Mentoring Approach | 30% off first 10 sessions in May| Market Sizing | DARDEN MBA

It's difficult for me to know how bad those grades are, but looks like they were high enought to get an internship at a Tier-2. Usually criteria between MBB and Tier 2 is not very different, it's just that MBB has “first grabs” and Tier 2 open up their recruiting poll to more target schools in order to grab top talent.

Regarding internal transfer at a Big4, it can happen, but it is not easy. Doesn't happen very often. What you can try to do is not network to turn the offer you have into an offer from the service line you want there. You will have to network and be upfront with them that you won't accept that service line but you did enjoy the company. 

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Anonymous A on Nov 04, 2021

Hi Petro, Thanks for your advice! To be honest, I think I was just lucky to have been working in the Tier-2 consulting firm as they were in need of intern and I applied at the correct time. On that note, was curious on your view if I applied to another country's office within the same region, would that impact me badly? Context: My senior manager has also indirectly offer me a job when I graduate but I want to work in different countries first before going back to my home country.

Pedro on Nov 05, 2021

If you apply to a different country, your chances of getting the interview will be lower.

Agrim
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 03, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting

Bad grades?

  • It will definitely be a negative impact factor
  • However you can make-up with good targeted internships that you have done so far
  • Best to check with HR/recruiting if they have any hard thresholds and if you are at all required to provide your grade information
  • That said, your profile aside from your grades looks decent and if you network well, you might have a solid chance

Big4 internal transfer

  • Instead of internal transfer a better route would be to apply as an experienced hire to other firms after a couple of years (and possibly a promotion as well)
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Anonymous A on Nov 04, 2021

Hi Agrim, Thanks for your advice! I have 1 year left and was thinking of just purely focusing on pulling up my results and applying for some Big4 grad roles for now. Anyways, thanks for your advice!!

Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 07, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi!

It's very hard to tell. If you don't have exceptional academic records I'd recommend investing time in networking to find a referral. Working first in tier 2 and then applying to MBB can also be helpful.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Anto

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Ian gave the best answer

Ian

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