Consulting Consulting
Finance General
Finance General
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Back to overview
Seski
on Dec 04, 2018
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Getting into MBB from Boutiques

I have recently completed my masters. I realised I didn't want to be in science research early on during my Masters so I didn't get a very good grade (from a targeted uni) but I did do very well in my undergraduate (not targeted). Not having known about consulting for long, I didn't have sufficient time to prepare for and apply for MBB or the big 4 this year but pretty sure I will have an offer from Capgemini, Capco and Arcadis. 

I am aware that they are not the most prestigious consulting firms but my plan is to gain experience with them and then apply for MBB. I don't have any experience outside science, didn't do any summer internships or a year in consulting industry so I hope this will help. 

My question is: 

  • Will it be difficult to get into MBB like this? Is there a better way?
  • How can I make myself more attractive to MBB for when I do apply?
  • Which of the 3 companies I mentioned should I go for?
2
3.4k
18
Write an answer
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Guennael
Coach
on Dec 05, 2018
Ex-MBB, Experienced Hire; I will teach you not only the how, but also the why of case interviews

Getting into MBB is always hard (there were 60 applicants for 1 position in my office around the time I joined), so while there's obviously some skills, don't forget also that some of it is a numbers game, and some of it is plain dumb.

Coming from boutique, the "why consulting" is already taken care of, and "why McK/BCG/Bain" probably easier - especially if you interact with some of these guys / share a customer. You will hopefully also be used to develop a hypothesis and build issue trees / develop MECE structures.

All in all, I think this is a great first experience which will prepare you well. And as Vlad pointed out, you absolutely should apply to all 3 MBB (and to some higher-rated Tier2 as well, such as ATK, RB or Strategy&)

3
Contact coach
Vlad
Coach
on Dec 04, 2018
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

  1. It is one of the common paths. The difficulty is not an objective parameter. It depends on your interview performance. Boutique firms are considered as a relevant background if that's what you are asking
  2. Have a referral. More info here: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-is-a-referral-really-1103 
  3. You should apply to all three since the chances of getting an offer if you apply to just one of them are pretty low

Best

3
Contact coach
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel