Getting into Bain/BCG with a Humanities Undergrad (India)

Hi Sammy,

1) Is it possible for someone with my background to even apply to BCG/Bain?

It seems challenging to get interviews given your background. 

• You can try but definitely go for a referral. 
• If it doesn’t work, you can target a Tier 2 or a strategy role and apply again in 2 years. 
• If that also doesn’t work, you can work for 2-3 years and then target a top MBA (eg INSEAD) and apply again after that

2) Should I directly apply or should I look for referrals? I have friends at an Associate level at MBB firms, but I dont know anyone senior? Should I reach out to people higher up the food chain on platforms like LinkedIn?

Definitely go for referrals. You can find more on that here:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176

3) Other than trying to get a referral what can I do to maximize my chances at an interview?

Improve your CV and Cover and try to get an internship with a big brand in IB or a strategy position. If it doesn’t work, you can follow the paths described in 1)

4) I know people with my background are working in a Junior Specialist role at BCG? Is there a track to consulting for these folks? If yes what does it look like?

It is very difficult to move from the Knowledge team to the Consulting team. I helped a candidate recently who worked in research at McK in India, and he had to do an MBA to be able to be considered for a consultant role. I would recommend targeting a Tier 2 in a strategy role rather than MBB in research if your goal is consulting in MBB – the move should be easier in this way.

Best,

Francesco

1. Is it possible to get in with a literature background? Yes, absolutely. In fact, consulting firms are known to strive for diversity in all aspects. All other things being equal, a literature background can actually be a plus to your application, provided you have demonstrated strong quantitative / problem solving skills at university / in other areas. 

2. Should I look for referrals? Referrals are always useful, especially for candidates from non-target schools. LinkedIn networking is typically not so effective I have to say - it needs to be a genuine connection.

3. How to maximize your chances at an interview? Regardless of your background, once you have been invited to the interview process, it really boils down to being well prepared to master case interviews. It's your profile that gets you invited to interviews, but that's where it stops. Only strong case performance can get you in. There are many excellent case coaches on this portal here who will be happy to help you maximize your chances. 

4. Is there a track to consulting for Junior Specialists? Assuming you mean knowledge specialists (at BCG), there is no standard path to move over to the consulting track. That said, top performers in the knowledge teams, on rare occasions, get opportunity to switch. I've seen a few cases in BCG, so it is definitely possible, while not common or likely. 

Hope this helps. Feel free to reach out, if anything unclear.

Hi there,

1. Is it possible for someone with my background to even apply to BCG/Bain?

Possible? I believe anything is possible. Difficult? Yes.
2. Should I directly apply or should I look for referrals? I have friends at an Associate level at MBB firms, but I dont know anyone senior? Should I reach out to people higher up the food chain on platforms like LinkedIn?

Always network first! Always do the things you can to improve your chances!

Network with anyone. Do not be picky. Work through the networking (play “tag” across calls etc) and hope that one of those calls leads to a referral. Any level counts!
3. Other than trying to get a referral what can I do to maximize my chances at an interview?
Optimize your resume (and cover letter, to a lesser degree). Get additional experience (for example, pro bono consulting projects through platforms like Impact Consulting)

4. I know people with my background are working in a Junior Specialist role at BCG? Is there a track to consulting for these folks? If yes what does it look like?

Careful. If you want to be a consultant, go the cosultant route!

1. Is it possible for someone with my background to even apply to BCG/Bain? In India - most MBB recruiting happens out of IIMs and other top B-schools. Your current education is sufficient to make it to an IIM provided you crack CAT. Lateral/experience hire scene is not very properly developed in India.
2. Should I directly apply or should I look for referrals? Referrals - as much as possible
3. I have friends at an Associate level at MBB firms, but I dont know anyone senior? Should I reach out to people higher up the food chain on platforms like LinkedIn? The moe senior the better, but if you know somebody at an associate level that is good enough too. LinkedIn approach has a very low success rate - you must try direct emails.
4. Other than trying to get a referral what can I do to maximize my chances at an interview? If you want to crack consulting in India, either you will need to upgrade to an MBA from a tier-1 B-school, or first target a consulting company that focuses on humanities-related consulting sector. Then try to move to general consulting after 2-3 years.
5. I know people with my background are working in a Junior Specialist role at BCG? Is there a track to consulting for these folks? If yes what does it look like? No the track barely exists. And if at all, it is very long and you stand to lose time vs doing an MBA from an IIM.

Happy to answer more questions - do drop me a message.

1. Is it possible for someone with my background to even apply to BCG/Bain?

Sure it is.

2. Should I directly apply or should I look for referrals? I have friends at an Associate level at MBB firms, but I dont know anyone senior? Should I reach out to people higher up the food chain on platforms like LinkedIn?

You will increase your chances if you get a referral. You can try someone senior, but I think getting one from someone who knows you well is slightly better.

3. Other than trying to get a referral what can I do to maximize my chances at an interview?

Anything that shows you have good quantitative skills can help.

4. I know people with my background are working in a Junior Specialist role at BCG? Is there a track to consulting for these folks? If yes what does it look like?

Usually they are separate tracks. Doesn't mean you can't get an internal transfer.

What college did you go to?

If it is St Stephens, SRCC, LSR, NLS or Xaviers Mumbai then yes otherwise it is quite difficult. Even at the above colleges you have to be extra great and have a partner refer you ideally.

Also do not go into back office roles (specialist) if you want to be consultant. It is definitely not easy to switch up.