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MBB Opportunities

Australia MBB Australia
New answer on Aug 21, 2022
5 Answers
772 Views
Anonymous A asked on Aug 19, 2022

Hey everyone!

I'm going to graduate end of this year, and I was looking into applying for MBBs & Tier-2s early next year (I'm based in Australia).

Here is a short profile of me:

  1. An international student with a 70-75 WAM range. Studying a Commerce degree at one of the Go8
  2. I have a couple of internship experiences in my home country and in Australia
    • Private Equity
    • International Tax Advisory at B4
    • Strategy Consulting at a T2
  3. Strong extra-curriculums
    • Worked with think tanks and psychologists to publish a mental health policy paper
    • Worked on multiple consulting projects
  4. Co-founded a start-up and received multiple grants from my university, and was selected into a prestigious VC Co-Founders cohort

Here are some of my questions:

  1. Is it still worth applying to MBB & T2s in Australia with my low grades? My main concern is that I will not be able to even pass the screening round.
  2. What is the cooling period for MBBs and T2s? I'm also considering applying to my home country in 2-3 years.
  3. If I get into MBB/T2 firms in Australia, can I negotiate to start earlier since I have already graduated?

(edited)

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Best answer
Kiran
Expert
replied on Aug 19, 2022
Former McKinsey Consultant (ranked top 3-5%)|McKinsey interview coach, 50+ sessions|30% off first session|Tech Investor

Hi I agree with Emily, you've got an interesting profile. Here are the answers to your questions:

Is it still worth applying to MBB & T2s in Australia with my low grades? My main concern is that I will not be able to even pass the screening round. Yes, I think the more professional experience you have the less grades start to matter, but also depends on how ‘target’ the university you went to.

What is the cooling period for MBBs and T2s? I'm also considering applying to my home country in 2-3 years. You should be fine, usually 1 max 2 cycles and sometimes 0 if you are applying to different offices 

If I get into MBB/T2 firms in Australia, can I negotiate to start earlier since I have already graduated? Usually with MBBs this is fine and actually in London (at least at mck) they've been asking new hires to start as early as possible because of shortages

Let me know if you fancy hopping on a quick call on how to best frame your profile and your CV

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 20, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Is it still worth applying to MBB & T2s in Australia with my low grades? My main concern is that I will not be able to even pass the screening round. Yes…always! Why not try? If you don't pass the screening round what does that actually cost you?

Make sure you network, get your resume as good as possible (professional review), and get some consulting-related experience.

What is the cooling period for MBBs and T2s? I'm also considering applying to my home country in 2-3 years. That timeline is fine! Generally the ban is 12-18 months.

If I get into MBB/T2 firms in Australia, can I negotiate to start earlier since I have already graduated?

You can try! Some may say yes some may say no.

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Emily
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 19, 2022
Ex McKinsey EM & interviewer (5 yrs) USA & UK| Coached / interviewed 300 +|Free 15 min intro| Stanford MBA|Non-trad

It's always worth applying! I'm not sure what you have to lose - you'll have a wonderfully crafted CV which you can then use for other roles and the experience of going through the application process. 

Your grades seem ok - they're not low enough that they will throw you out without even looking at your application. You will need a really strong CV to support it (your start-up is really great experience); and I suggest getting to know the recruiting team and someone in each Firm so that they know your application when it comes through. 

Generally if you haven't been successful you should take a year before reapplying. However, if there's a strong reason why you would need to reapply earlier (i.e., moving to a different country where the application deadline is within that year), then talk to the recruiting team and that would generally be fine. 

On start dates - each firm has different start dates and often they have many throughout the year. This is absolutely something that you can negotiate on. 

Good luck! Let me know if it'd be helpful to talk through. 

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 21, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Despite those low grades, you for sure haven´t lost your time, and this is something that is valued (internships, the papers, the startup…) I don´t see why you shouldn´t apply to MBB or in Australia. 

When/if you pass the screening, you will need a strong story for your grades, but I am sure that you can very well tell it with the material you have. 

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

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Lucie
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Aug 20, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Hi there, 

 

  1. Is it still worth applying to MBB & T2s in Australia with my low grades? My main concern is that I will not be able to even pass the screening round.
  • Grades are not as important, it is combo: the school, the extra-curriculums activities, etc. Also how well your CV is written. Based on what you wrote here, you could be interesting profile to explore. So, go for it!
  1. What is the cooling period for MBBs and T2s? I'm also considering applying to my home country in 2-3 years.
  • Good to check it out, but usually is 1yr if you dont pass
  1. If I get into MBB/T2 firms in Australia, can I negotiate to start earlier since I have already graduated? 
  • Earlier than when? I would speak with the recruiting team and they orient you, but I dont see any issue incorporating you straight away after the offer if graduated already

Good luck,

Lucie

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