I want to join MBB in the Middle East, but my university ranking is 120-130 worldwide. I have experience in consulting and finance. Do I have a chance? And if I get a referral from a manager, should I do the interview immediately or I can ask to do it next year? How does it work?

If you’re still a student at your university, MBB recruitment typically happens at three levels:

1️⃣ Campus Recruiting (Target Schools with On-Campus Presence):

• MBB firms partner with career services at top-ranked universities and follow a structured recruiting calendar with networking events, workshops, and on-campus interviews.

• Given your university’s ranking (120-130), it’s unlikely to be in this category.

2️⃣ Target Universities (Without On-Campus Recruiting):

• These are universities from which MBB actively considers candidates, though they don’t have on-campus recruiting events.

• To check if your university qualifies, look at LinkedIn alumni data or ask career services how many graduates from your program have joined MBB in the past 2-3 years.

• If placements are rare but not nonexistent, a strong CV, relevant experience, and a well-placed referral significantly improve your chances of landing a first-round interview.

3️⃣ Non-Target Universities:

• If your university rarely or never places graduates at MBB, it’s considered non-target.

• The best strategy in this case is to focus on:

✅ A standout CV with relevant experience (consulting, strategy, finance).

✅ A referral from someone internally who is willing to push your application forward.

✅ Direct networking with MBB consultants or recruiters to increase visibility.

? Recruitment Timeline:

• Full-Time & Internships: The main application cycle starts in September/October, with interviews running from October to January.

• Off-Cycle Hiring: Occasionally available but much less structured.

If you’re at a non-target or lower-tier target school, networking and referrals will be key to securing an interview. Let me know if you need tips on that!

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

• First of all, nobody knows for sure whether your application will be successful or not until you try. Therefore, I would highly advise you to consider working with an experienced coach like myself to polish your application to perfection and see the result.
• Moreover, please keep in mind that a referral does not guarantee an invitation.
• Lastly, if you want to go through the interview process next year, I don't think it would make sense to apply now. But check with the recruiter to be sure.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming applications, pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

MBB in the Middle East is competitive but definitely not impossible from your university. Rankings matter less than you think - especially with your consulting and finance experience.

Your experience is actually your strongest asset. The Middle East offices tend to value practical business knowledge alongside academic credentials. I've seen people from universities ranked 150+ make it in because they had solid experience.

About referrals - they typically have a shelf life of 3-6 months. If you get one from a manager, don't wait a year. Either use it now or maintain that relationship and ask again when you're ready to apply.

The referral process varies by firm. Generally, they'll submit your CV internally and you'll get an interview slot if selected. Some offices do rolling recruitment, others have strict cycles. McKinsey Middle East seems most flexible on timing.

If you're not ready (case prep, etc.), better to wait and apply when you're at your best. Just don't expect to bank that referral for next year.

Hi there, 

If you have worked for a while in consulting and finance, then your university ranking doesn’t matter as much. Your work experience becomes more important. 

If you have only worked for a short time, you could still stand a good chance if your university is known in the Middle East region. 

If you get a referral, my suggestion would be don’t drag it too long. Try to do the interview within 3-4 months when the ion is still hot. Otherwise, get a referral closer to the time when you actually want to go through the application process. The recruiting team gets a lot of application on an on-going basis. It is hard to ask them to remember some potential candidate from a year ago. And they wouldn’t be sure whether the candidate still have the intention to apply after a year, even though they can technically find info from the system. So don’t make life difficult for them (and as a result, for you). 

Best,

Emily

Hey!

I think you certainly have a chance, but I think leveraging the referral is going to be your best bet. Is there any alumni of your university that you could also reach out to for help/guidance/potentially a referral? Two always better than one!

If you’re confident in your preparation and feel like you can perform well, go for the interview now. Curious as to what would be stopping you? Would you not finish university until next year? In which case unless you're interviewing for a internship position they'll suggest you apply next year anyway.

Best of luck and let me know if I can be of help!

Will

Hey there ?,

Yes, you definitely have a chance to join MBB in the Middle East even if your university is ranked 120-130 worldwide. While MBB prefers top-tier universities, they also value strong experience, skills, and referrals, especially in the Middle East, where hiring is more flexible than in Europe or the U.S.

1️⃣ How to Overcome a Non-Target University?

✅ Leverage Your Consulting & Finance Experience – Since you already have relevant experience, you should position yourself as an experienced hire, which means MBB will care more about your work history than your university ranking.
✅ Get a Strong Referral – A manager-level referral is valuable, but ideally, a partner or senior manager would carry more weight.
✅ Highlight Strong Achievements – Emphasize problem-solving skills, leadership, and impact in your past roles to stand out.

2️⃣ Should You Interview Immediately or Next Year?

• If you feel fully prepared for case interviews, go ahead and interview now—MBB hiring cycles in the Middle East are competitive, and waiting too long might mean missing out on opportunities.
• If you want to wait until next year, you should still accept the referral now and discuss with the recruiter when the best time to interview would be.
• Some referrals stay in the system for a while, but it’s not guaranteed, so check with your referrer how long it remains valid.

3️⃣ How Does the Referral Process Work?

1️⃣ The manager submits your referral in MBB's internal system.
2️⃣ Recruiting reviews your profile and decides whether to invite you to interviews (sometimes bypassing resume screening).
3️⃣ If approved, you get a case interview invitation—you can sometimes request to delay your interview if needed.

Final Thoughts

With relevant experience, a strong referral, and solid case interview prep, your university ranking won’t be a deal-breaker. If you feel ready, go for the interview now—otherwise, you can check with HR about delaying it until next year.

Hope that helps! Let me know if you need interview prep advice. Best, Alessa ?

Hi here,

Your university ranking is just one factor in the process. Several other aspects will heavily influence your chances, including:

• Type of firms and brand names: Having experience at well-known consulting or finance firms strengthens your profile significantly. If your experience is from lesser-known firms, you’ll need to compensate with strong achievements and impact.
• Role and responsibility: Your level of impact and progression within those firms matter. Were you just executing tasks, or did you take on leadership roles, drive initiatives, or create measurable value?
• University program and GPA: A strong academic record, particularly in a rigorous program, can help offset a lower university ranking.
• Extracurricular leadership and impact: MBB values well-rounded candidates. Leadership roles, significant achievements outside of work, and a strong personal brand can set you apart.

Currently, competition for MBB roles in the Middle East is extremely high, and hiring has slowed significantly. This makes standing out even more critical.

If you plan to interview next year, it’s better to get the referral next year as well so it stays fresh. If you get a referral now, the firm may expect you to start the process soon. Some firms allow you to defer, but it’s best to confirm with the referrer or recruiter.

You do have a chance, but it depends on how strong the rest of your profile is relative to the intense competition. If you’re not confident yet, focus on strengthening your profile over the next year before applying.

Cheers,

Florian

Hi!

Yes, it is possible for you to join the recruiting process if your professional experience is relevant (time/brands/achievements) and you get a referral.

I wouldn’t recommend you to go after a referral if you don’t feel interview ready, it is not common practice for consulting firms to hold your process for one year. 

If you would like to assess your current readiness state for both case and behavioral interview and discuss your application, I’ll be happy to assist you!

Best,

Mari

Hi there, 

A referral goes a long way and yes, I think you do have a chance. 

How long have you worked in Consulting and Finance before? You might be an experienced hire that makes your university less relevant. 

I would not do the interviews immediately if you have not sufficiently prepped for them. That would be a coin flip. Do they only have 1 application cycle per year? 

Best, 
Sebastian

Top 120-130 is a pretty good school. MBB hire from universities that are on the Top 200 or even higher, depending on the country.