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(Late) transition from PhD to consulting?

PhDtoconsultancy PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Apr 05, 2024

Alessa

Expert

McKinsey & Company | BCG | Roland Berger

Alessa

Expert

gave the best answer on Apr 01, 2024

McKinsey & Company | BCG | Roland Berger

Hi Xiaodong, this is a very difficult question to generalize since I do not know your CV in detail. It depends on the consultancy you want to apply for. I know many people who did not invest much in extracurricular ac ... (read entire answer)

6
Answers

116
Views

71
Total Upvotes

on Apr 05, 2024 on Apr 05, 2024
Last Activity

Applying for a summer associate v/s associate directly- Soon to be PhD seeking career advice

Career Advising MBB PhDtoConsulting

Question edited on Feb 29, 2024

gave the best answer on Feb 28, 2024

Hi there, I can tell you're quite structured and organized with how you're doing things - thinking about everything right. Nice work! I'd put you squarely in the “consultant”/associate camp. The #1 thing is to apply to ... (read entire answer)

6
Answers

176
Views

56
Total Upvotes

on Feb 29, 2024 on Feb 29, 2024
Last Activity

MBA after PHD?

PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Jul 09, 2023

Cristian

Expert

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Cristian

Expert

gave the best answer on Jun 26, 2023

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there! No, it doesn't. MBA sponsorship depends on the geography and office that you are in. You can find out more about that either when you join the firm or by networking with consultants who already work there. A ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

689
Views

74
Total Upvotes

on Jul 09, 2023 on Jul 09, 2023
Last Activity

Looking for exciting discussions from the community?

MBB vs Big 4 for PhDs

mbb big4 PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Jan 30, 2023

Hagen

Expert

#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hagen

Expert

gave the best answer on Jan 24, 2023

#1 Bain coach | >95% success rate | interviewer for 8+ years | mentor and coach for 7+ years

Hi there, I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it: I would rather say MBB is more welcoming of PhD graduates than Big 4 consulting firms. ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

865
Views

51
Total Upvotes

on Jan 30, 2023 on Jan 30, 2023
Last Activity

Scientific PhD to MBB consulting firms

and Bain BCG McKinsey PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Apr 30, 2022

Clara

Expert

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Clara

Expert

gave the best answer on Apr 22, 2022

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Yes, of course you have a chance! Probably what you are doing is harder than the McK interviews tbh, if you know how to prep for them correctly. The key thing, now that your CV is in, is the prep: 1. FIT INTERV ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

1.8 k
Views

36
Total Upvotes

on Apr 30, 2022 on Apr 30, 2022
Last Activity

PhD from non-target school

advanced degree BCG McKinsey and Bain PhDtoconsultancy PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Feb 12, 2022

Cristian

Expert

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Cristian

Expert

gave the best answer on Feb 11, 2022

#1 rated MBB & McKinsey Coach

Hi there, Your best bet is to get a referral. It happens quite often that great candidates get screened out accidentally or just because there's not sufficient capacity to process all the applications (especially when ... (read entire answer)

5
Answers

1.3 k
Views

65
Total Upvotes

on Feb 12, 2022 on Feb 12, 2022
Last Activity

I have earned my PhD, should I apply for internship or fulltime?

advanced degree internships PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Feb 04, 2022

Francesco

Expert

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Francesco

Expert

gave the best answer on Feb 02, 2022

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there, I would target an internship in your case if possible for the following reasons: Even if you apply for full-time, you won’t probably be able to start before a couple of months. So there won’t be any significan ... (read entire answer)

9
Answers

2.9 k
Views

90
Total Upvotes

on Feb 04, 2022 on Feb 04, 2022
Last Activity

Leaving PhD career for consulting? Need logical opinions

BCG McKinsey and Bain Engineering MBB mbb exit change Middle East phd PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Jan 31, 2022

Slawomir

Expert

Former McK interviewer, PhD who successfully transitioned from Academia, received offers from McK/BCG/Bain/LEK

Slawomir

Expert

gave the best answer on Jan 30, 2022

Former McK interviewer, PhD who successfully transitioned from Academia, received offers from McK/BCG/Bain/LEK

Hello, As a former scientist (and PhD), I can relate to your doubts. I decided to make the move and I do not regret it although I already made another move since then :) Others made very good recommendations regarding r ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

2.2 k
Views

87
Total Upvotes

on Jan 31, 2022 on Jan 31, 2022
Last Activity

Where else should I apply?

PhD Hire PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on May 31, 2021

Francesco

Expert

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Francesco

Expert

gave the best answer on May 15, 2021

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there, MBB tend to hire more PhDs than other firms indeed (exception being PhDs specializing in healthcare, for which companies like ZS, LEK, IQVIA and ClearView also actively hire). However, you may still have oth ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

1.4 k
Views

37
Total Upvotes

on May 31, 2021 on May 31, 2021
Last Activity

What should I do to get beyond CV screening at MBB?

PhDtoConsulting recent graduate rejection

Most recent answer on Apr 18, 2021

Francesco

Expert

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Francesco

Expert

gave the best answer on Apr 16, 2021

#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there, There are three main things you need to be invited for interviews: A great CV A great Cover (not always required) A referral – the more senior the person the better We cannot judge the CV without ... (read entire answer)

6
Answers

1.6 k
Views

87
Total Upvotes

on Apr 18, 2021 on Apr 18, 2021
Last Activity

Experienced Hire (12 years) with PhD

Experienced Hire PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Apr 15, 2021

Florian

Expert

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Florian

Expert

gave the best answer on Apr 15, 2021

Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there, Definitely possible! 1. Your profile sounds interesting. I am not sure how COVID plays a role but experienced hires have become more and more important over the years since clients increasingly demand con ... (read entire answer)

4
Answers

915
Views

45
Total Upvotes

on Apr 15, 2021 on Apr 15, 2021
Last Activity

Tips for 2nd round interview

2nd Round Bain PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Dec 22, 2020

Clara

Expert

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Clara

Expert

gave the best answer on Sep 25, 2020

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Its very similar, but stronger emphasis in the FIT part, as outlined before by other coaches. On top of the insights already shared in the post, the "Integrated FIT guide for MBB" has been recently published ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

2.2 k
Views

75
Total Upvotes

on Dec 22, 2020 on Dec 22, 2020
Last Activity

Do you have a question for our consulting experts, too?

Omitting a degree in the resume?

Consulting Resume CV CV screening CV_questions education GPA PhDtoconsultancy PhDtoConsulting Resume resume etiquette

Most recent answer on Jun 30, 2020

Clara

Expert

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Clara

Expert

gave the best answer on Jun 14, 2020

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello! Don´t worry at all! You are overthinking this one, so message of tranquility here :) You must include all your degrees, if not it´s when you will call attention to it, precisely what you don´t want. Howe ... (read entire answer)

12
Answers

3.5 k
Views

50
Total Upvotes

on Jun 30, 2020 on Jun 30, 2020
Last Activity

From engineering to strategic consulting, but still no clear view on tangible daily duties of a management consultant?

Application engineer MBB PhDtoConsulting rejection

Most recent answer on Aug 27, 2019

Anonymous gave the best answer on Aug 27, 2019

Hi G, I have a BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering and after 1 year working in the field, I got fed up and switched to McKinsey: one of the best decisions in my life. I was too much fact-based and rational in my c ... (read entire answer)

2
Answers

2.3 k
Views

2
Total Upvotes

on Aug 27, 2019 on Aug 27, 2019
Last Activity

McK PST for APD candidates?

APD recruiting McKinsey PST PhDtoConsulting

Most recent answer on Aug 16, 2019

Sidi

Expert

McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Sidi

Expert

gave the best answer on Aug 16, 2019

McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi Alex, it depends on the region and also on the application. For example, Germany does not use the PST anymore at all. I believe the same is true for the US. In other regions it still persists, but only for graduate ... (read entire answer)

2
Answers

2.0 k
Views

7
Total Upvotes

on Aug 16, 2019 on Aug 16, 2019
Last Activity

Meeting Managing Partner before formal offer

PhDtoConsulting RolandBerger

Recent activity on Dec 05, 2018

Vlad

Expert

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Vlad

Expert

gave the best answer on Dec 04, 2018

McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi, I think you've already answered your own question. It is not common, however, might happen, since you have a different background. Don't see anything bad about it. It's better to get some experience and the promot ... (read entire answer)

2
Answers

2.0 k
Views

1
Total Upvotes

on Dec 05, 2018 on Dec 05, 2018
Last Activity

16 results

Consulting Q&A – Ask Questions about Your Career

In this overview, you will find all the questions asked so far by the PrepLounge community. Anyone can ask questions and write answers. Our coaches are also happy to share their expertise. If you like an answer, give it an upvote so that it rises to the top. Here you can also find our guidelines and FAQs for the Consulting Q&A.