First Year in UK? how to get into consulting

Question

I'm a first year at KCL and want to get into consulting. I've done insight days and similar stuff at MBB and OW during sixth form. I want to have the best chance of getting into consulting, preferably Bain, BCG or OW. Any tips on how to prepare myself for applications and the like. I've already applied for spring weeks at banks and asset management firms so I'm hoping to get one of those. Also, How do you effectively case prep?

I'm also looking at the possibility of applying for MC internships in GCC area. Would it be easier to get into those internships and Is this recommended?

All advise would be beneficial.

Answer 1

Hello!

It seems you're on the right track with doing insight days and applying for spring weeks!

In terms of preparing for a career in consulting, here are a few tips:

Consider joining a consulting club at your university: This will help you learn more about what consulting is, what kind of tasks consultants perform and what types of problems they solve
You can apply for summer internships in consulting (with companies that offer first year internships) or in other businesses:
1. Some companies offer internships for first year students. While these might not be your ultimate target companies (or they might be), gaining practical experience in the field would be valuable
2. Doing a non-consulting internship, e.g., in an industrial company or a small business, or other companies offering internships, could also give you valuable insights that could then help you land an internship/job in consulting (e.g., if you join the sales team, you will gain more knowledge about how the sales function of a company works)
Learn about the interview process for the consulting companies that are your main target (Bain/BCG/OW):
1. Interview timeline: When does each interview for internships/full time jobs? Do they come to your campus for career fairs where you can meet and chat with consultants?
2. Interview process: How to submit the application (e.g., required documents, other required information)? What kind of tests do they perform before the interview round (e.g., Bain Sova Test)? How many rounds of interviews you'd go through and what is their approach to case interviews?
3. Target company: What are the strengths of each company? What kind of culture does each company have? What are potential exits for you?
Prepare for the interview process:
1. CV and cover letter (where applicable): Ensure your CV is formatted in the right way for a consulting company (e.g., no more than 1 page). Ask friends / university career services / a coach to help review your CV and cover letter
2. Tests: Understand how the tests are structured and what are they testing for. Practice for the tests through online/university resources
3. Interviews - fit: Prepare for the qualitative questions regarding your background, motivation and experience (just as important as cases), e.g., short overview of your background, stories of leadership/failure/etc.
4. Interviews - cases: Understand what type of cases are asked by each company (e.g., interviewer/interviewee-led; 45 min cases or longer cases - some companies give you a case and then time to prepare on your own, after which you need to present to the interviewers) and what is the structure of the cases (e.g., presenting a structure/approach, walking through the case, presenting the recommendation). Practice cases and specific parts of cases (e.g., structure only, math only) with friends / coaches / AI resources

Best,

Maria

Answer 2

Hey! You’re off to a fantastic start with insight days and spring week applications! Here’s how you can position yourself for consulting success from my own experience:

Academics First: Maintain a strong GPA, as academics play a key role in consulting applications. Aim for first-class honors.
Extracurriculars: Join consulting, finance, or strategy societies at KCL. Leadership roles and impactful projects stand out.
Networking: Continue attending events at MBB and Tier 2 firms. Build relationships with consultants and recruiters—they may offer invaluable guidance and referrals.
Spring Weeks: Securing a banking spring week is great for developing transferable skills. You can leverage this experience in consulting applications.
MC Internships in GCC: Yes, GCC internships are slightly easier to secure due to high demand for talent in the region. It’s an excellent way to gain relevant experience.
Case Prep: Start practicing early with resources like Case in Point, Victor Cheng’s Case Interview Secrets, and platforms like PrepLounge. Work with peers and experienced candidates for mock cases.
Tailored Applications: When applying, customize your CV and cover letter to highlight your problem-solving, analytical skills, and leadership experiences.

Balancing spring weeks and GCC opportunities is strategic and gives you flexibility. Stay proactive, and you’ll build a stellar consulting profile. Good luck! 🚀 Alessa