What to do to increase your chances of getting into HBS from MBB?

Ideally doing something after MBB before applying helps differentiate your profile from your peers. Your odds are always better when you are able to bring something different to your mba class.

Hi there,

To be honest, given that you're starting in just a month, you might want to hold off.

First, see how the new job goes! Settle in and make sure you actually have the time to commit to other activities. MBB in of itself is already a lot to handle!

Once you're able to get a routine and understand things, then think about extra activities. But, for now, doing well in your new role should be the #1 priority!

You are getting ahead of yourself. Its great to have these plans and ambitions, but slow down a bit. 

Start the new job, learn, pick up skills, prove your worth and see where you are in 12-24 months. Don't constraint yourself to perform or do things in a way just because you want to get into HBS. Let this these things happen organically. Invest your time & effort in things that matter to you and where you can make a difference/impact- so allow yourself some time to figure this out. 

Hey there,

Since you will have a busy schedule, you could try out several social/ non-profit activities on the weekend over the next couple of months, maybe 2 days a month. Stick with the one you like and see the most impact and benefit.

Alternatively, you could use an extended leave (like McKinsey's Take Time up to 3 months) to do some longer-term social projects abroad. Most young McK consultants use this program, but mostly for vacation.

All the best,

Florian

Hello!

Working at MBB is a great place to start if you are looking to go to B-school soon. A lot of entry-level consultants go down that track, and as a result there are a lot of resources and information to help you along the way. Here are some things I would think about

• Do great work - ultimately a lot of your application is going to end up being based around the work you have done, so do your best to work hard and deliver great output. It will also be helpful in getting people to vouch for you, which is crucial in the process.
• Seek out mentors - you will need someone (preferably senior) to write recommendation letters for you, but even beyond that the advice of influential senior consultants can be incredibly helpful in this process. Start thinking about developing your network early, and discuss your goal of going to B-school with them. Ask for advice - many people at MBB will be very familiar with the application process.
• Proactively reach for leadership opportunities inside and outside the team room - entry-level positions at MBB come with a steep learning curve, but once you get to grips with the work, I would start looking for leadership within your project and at your firm more generally. Proactively seeking out leadership opportunities on your project will give you greater experience (and something to potentially talk about in interviews). There are also plenty of other opportunities for entry-level consultants at MBB to take on leadership roles outside of the team room in office initiatives, interest groups, and recruiting. Look out for those opportunities in your office and get involved.
• Look for community service opportunities inside and outside the firm - committing to some form of community service or social impact initiative  is excellent, but can be hard to find time for with a full entry-level MBB schedule. You could try finding some volunteer opportunities on weekends, or something with a more flexible schedule (perhaps something virtual). Alternatively, MBB have various social impact initiatives going on at various offices, so that could be a good option to do some community service given your schedule.