Invitations to interview

Question

Hi community,

I have a question regarding the invitations to interviews at MBB and tier2. We had a lot of consulting workshops were all the companies told us that you have to be in the top 10-15% of your cohort in order to have a chance for an interview. I was top 1% during my bachelors. However, during my masters it is extremely competitive (60 people cohort) with most people having a 1.0 to 1.1 GPA. At least half of the cohort has a 1.0. I was unlucky this time and once got a B instead of an A, meaning I am falling behind in the ranking tremendously and have no chance of getting back into the top 10-15%. Do you think this means there is no chance for me to get the interviews as I am not in the respective 10-15% anymore? Will it be much harder for me? I am wondering how much companies actually look at the rankings of such master programms as grades are extremely similar and often only 1 or 2 grades are different. Does it really matter that much?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi there,

Q: Do you think this means there is no chance for me to get the interviews as I am not in the respective 10-15% anymore? Will it be much harder for me?

In general, you can get an interview even if you don’t have a top GPA. However, you would ideally need to compensate for it to maximize your chances.

The exact probability of getting an interview depends on:

The rest of the application material (CV and Cover)
Whether you have a referral or not
When and where you apply (in some regions/periods, it is easier to get interviews)

You can find more information on #1 and #2 (the main points under your control) below:

▶ How to Get a Consulting Interview Invitation

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 2

Hey there,

Honestly, MBB's have no way of determining or know if your performance or grades are within top 10-15%. Ideally the interpretation of this is you should have high performance grades.

At times, where your grades are not high enough, your achievements and experience may make up for that - so please make sure you optimize on all other evaluation aspects of the screening process.

Then the cherry on top is to have a referral that could help push your application success chances.

All in all - optimize as much as possible and give it a shot! Don't disqualify yourself :-)

Let me know if you'd like help in preparation of your application, getting referrals or anything else!

All the best

Answer 3

Hey!

While top consulting firms do value strong academic performance, they also consider the overall competitiveness of your program. Being in a highly competitive master's cohort with a strong track record from your bachelor's degree still makes you a strong candidate. Consulting firms look at your application holistically—your experience, extracurriculars, and networking efforts also play a crucial role. To improve your chances, focus on securing referrals, showcasing leadership experiences, and crafting a compelling application. A slightly lower GPA in a top-tier, rigorous program won't necessarily disqualify you, but demonstrating other strengths will be key.

Alessa

Answer 4

Hey,

No worries, you can still make it to the interviews. To increase your chances, make sure a have a stellar CV / LinkedIn profile prepared which highlight all your work / non-work related achievements + you'll need a strong referral (ideally from a project manager position or above).

Good luck!
Nick

Answer 5

Hi there,

It depends on the full picture:

Academia (prestige, GPA, competitiveness)
Work experience (relevant, progression)
Leadership outside of work
Time spent abroad

If you have a strong resume with a competitive program and ideally a referral, you are still very much on track to pass the initial screening!

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 6

Hey there,

Alright, first off—take a deep breath. You’re worrying way too much about this, and I promise you, one B in your master’s program isn’t going to derail your shot at MBB or Tier 2. Let’s get into it.

The whole “top 10-15%” thing is more of a guideline than a hard rule. It’s not like they’re sitting there with a red pen, striking through applications for someone who’s just outside that range. They’re looking at your overall profile: academics, experience, leadership, and how well-rounded you are. And you’ve got plenty going for you. Top 1% in your bachelor's? That’s already a huge plus. Pair that with a competitive master’s GPA (and let’s be real, a single B in a hyper-competitive cohort isn’t exactly a red flag), and you’re still very much in the running.

Honestly, consulting recruiters aren’t dumb. They know that some programs are tougher than others and that grade differences in tight-knit cohorts can come down to tiny margins. A single B doesn’t wipe out everything else you’ve achieved. What matters is how you present yourself. Your resume needs to scream, "This person is smart, capable, and has the skills to succeed."

If you’re still stressing about how firms will view your GPA, let me put it this way: networking can bridge that gap. Talk to alumni from your program who are already in consulting, reach out to recruiters, and make sure people know who you are. The relationships you build will carry far more weight than a decimal point on your GPA.

At the end of the day, the GPA filters aren’t there to punish someone like you—they’re there to screen out candidates who aren’t strong academically. You’re not in that bucket. Your bachelor's GPA, combined with a strong master’s record and everything else you bring to the table, makes you a strong candidate.

Focus on what you can control: craft a killer resume, write a compelling cover letter, and nail your interview prep. Worrying about a single B isn’t worth your energy—it won’t be the thing that decides your outcome

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