Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 451,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

How does the Consulting Q&A work?

Anyone can ask a question

Anyone can write an answer

Upvotes let answers rise to the top

(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

Office choice and resume screening.

Actively preparing for interviews with Mckinsey Bains & AT Kearney life science PhDtoconsultancy Resume

Most recent answer on May 27, 2022

gave the best answer on May 27, 2022

"I want to section my working experience into research experience, entrepreneurial experience and teaching experience? Will that be okay? Because I feel all of above experiences are relevant yet not in the same time fra ... (read entire answer)

2
Answers

654
Views

16
Total Upvotes

on May 27, 2022 on May 27, 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

Looking for exciting discussions from the community?

Applying to non-MBB firms as a PhD candidate

non-MBA PhDtoconsultancy

Most recent answer on May 07, 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 07, 2021

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

Hi there, Do these firms not hire generalist? They hire generalists as well Do they have deadlines? Yes, please check their website /contact HR for your specific country Are they only hiring as needed? Co ... (read entire answer)

4
Answers

742
Views

51
Total Upvotes

on May 07, 2021 on May 07, 2021
Last Activity

What are the weaknesses of a candidate with a PhD instead of an MBA?

Consulting Resume MBA phd PhDtoconsultancy Resume

Most recent answer on Nov 20, 2020

Anonymous gave the best answer on Oct 09, 2018

I think Guennael covered everything well, so won't repeat the various differences in expectation. However, as an important side note: generally PhDs Don't enter at the same level as MBAs - PhDs will usually join as a ... (read entire answer)

7
Answers

4.3 k
Views

6
Total Upvotes

on Nov 20, 2020 on Nov 20, 2020
Last Activity

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

PhD to consulting?

PhDtoconsultancy

Most recent answer on May 26, 2020

Antonello

Expert

McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Antonello

Expert

gave the best answer on Oct 15, 2019

McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, scientific PhDs are very appreciated by top-tier firms. E.g. McKinsey often offers to PhD graduates the Junior associate position. Here you can find some other details (clicking on "Advanced professional degree ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

1.9 k
Views

6
Total Upvotes

on May 26, 2020 on May 26, 2020
Last Activity

Should I take the GMAT to break into top-tier consulting firms?

phd PhDtoconsultancy

Most recent answer on May 26, 2020

Vlad

Expert

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

Vlad

Expert

gave the best answer on Jan 10, 2019

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

Hi, Answering your first question - if it requires a lot of prep - definitely not! It's just a line in your resume and it's not guaranteeing anything. Answering your second question - they will only look at your tr ... (read entire answer)

3
Answers

2.0 k
Views

6
Total Upvotes

on May 26, 2020 on May 26, 2020
Last Activity

Best Preparation Strategy and Time-line

PhDtoconsultancy

Most recent answer on May 26, 2020

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 May 25, 2020

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

Hi! I believe good advice can only be given if your priorities are clear. So in the following, I will just assume that MBB is your first priority (since this is what I am focusing on with my coaching). A well-tested a ... (read entire answer)

8
Answers

1.2 k
Views

34
Total Upvotes

on May 26, 2020 on May 26, 2020
Last Activity

9 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.