Too old to get into MBB?

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New answer on Jul 20, 2022
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Anonymous A asked on Jul 09, 2022

Hi I am 29 this year and will be starting my MBA at LBS. I have 6 years of experience in the Big 4 and previous a Master in IT. Would 30/31 be too old to join the MBB?

If I were to join MBB then, what position would I be offered?

 

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Florian
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replied on Jul 11, 2022
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Not at all! You are well within the average.

If you join McKinsey post MBA, you would enter as a (Sr) Associate, unless you already had significant management experience before.

Then it is possible to start as an EM, however, even in that case, you would likely run your first couple of projects as Associate to learn the ropes, then get an early promotion.

Cheers,

Florian

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Francesco
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replied on Jul 10, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

1) Would 30/31 be too old to join the MBB?

No, helped several candidates who joined at that age and later

2) If I were to join MBB then, what position would I be offered?

After an MBA you would join as an Associate at McKinsey and a Consultant at BCG/Bain.

I would recommend to look for a referral when you apply. You can find more information on referrals here:

 How to Get an MBB Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

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Sofia
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replied on Jul 20, 2022
Top-Ranked Coach on PrepLounge for 3 years| McKinsey San Francisco | Harvard graduate | 6+ years of coaching

Hello,

Not too old at all - MBB take on lots of experienced hires! The position would depend on your previous experience and expertise, but you would most likely be looking at Associate/Senior Associate (in McKinsey terms, which would be Consultant for BB).

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Lucie
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updated an answer on Jul 12, 2022
10+yrs recruiting & BCG Project leader

Not at all! I entered at age of 37 :-) and I am not an exception. 

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(edited)

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Moritz
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replied on Jul 09, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos

Hi there,

Experienced hires are highly sought after and often in their 30s or even 40s since experience necessitates a certain age.

I was 34 when I started as an Associate at McKinsey and that was perfect.

Best of luck!

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Ian
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replied on Jul 09, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

You are not too old at all - not in the slightest!

In my cohort a lot of the MBA consultants were 31 / 32. You'll be just fine (and join as a Consultant).

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Jamie replied on Jul 09, 2022
Former Tier 2, now MBB in Dubai. Here to chill :)

Hey,

BCG Project Leader here.

Absolutely not! I finished my PhD at 29 and joined consulting right after. With an MBA you will be joining as a Consultant (in BCG).

Just me mindful that at 31-32 you will likely be older compared to your peers and most likely you will even be older than your manager (which is fine but you will need to manage your ego / expectations).

Hope it helps! 

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Ashwin
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replied on Jul 10, 2022
Ex Consulting Director | Bain and company , Deloitte| INSEAD

You would join as a associate / consultant, you would be around 2-3 years above average age but that should hardly matter in the long-run. I know multiple consultants who joined at associate / consultant level early or mid thirties and did well. 

Thanks 

Ashwin 

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Ken
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replied on Jul 10, 2022
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

30/31 is probably around average.  You would be considered for a post-MBA role (e.g., Associate at McKinsey).

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Florian gave the best answer

Florian

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