Is it important to participate in pre-MBA programs at MBBs?

Hello,

To answer your questions:

1) Many say that these programs are just informative sessions with no direct influence on summer internship placement. Instead, it is important to focus on networking/recruiting events in the first year of your MBA. Real recruiting doesn't begin until October.

It is true that these programs won't grant you an internship or an interview invitation, but I would think of them as additional opportunities to network. To that extent, while they are not essential to your application, they can definitely be helpful in allowing you to start developing a network early, and demonstrate your interest in the companies.

2) Would skipping these programs put me at a disadvantage to those who participated in them?

Not at the recruiting stage (i.e., they are not going to be used as criteria in determining whether to offer you a job), but to the extent that they provide opportunities to network, attending them will help you get your foot in the door.

My advice would be to attend these programs if you can. However, if you have other plans which you can't reschedule that mean you won't be able to attend the programs, then there's not much you can do about it. Look for other opportunities to network and get to know the firms.

Hi there,

Q: Would skipping these programs put me at a disadvantage to those who participated in them?

These programs are usually a good extra opportunity to network. You could be successful in landing invitations regardless but if you have the option I would take advantage of them, they could help to eventually land a referral.

You can find more on referrals below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

▶ The Exact Steps to Get a Referral

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there, 

It's indeed true that participating in these events won't get you the job. 

But it will help you with two things:

1. Networking - you might click with some of the consultants you'll meet and they could offer you referrals that will then maximize your chances of passing screening. 

2. Understanding the expectations from the role and thus the interviewer. These sort of events are a good practice ground for what the interview will be like. You might have to solve cases, present in front of other people and you will then receive feedback on all of this. 

Sharing here with you an article that will help you manage these conversations with consultants better and increase your chances of getting a referral

Your Guide to Consulting Coffee Chats  https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/coffee-chat-questions-consulting

Also sharing another for the application process as a whole:

Maximizing your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn  https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-job-in-consulting-during-an-economic-downturn

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• First of all, as you correctly quoted, it is important to attend networking and recruiting events - which is exactly what these pre-MBA programs are. As such, I would highly advise you to try attending them if you have the possibility to adjust your plans for the summer.
• Moreover, since applications are assessed holistically, it is impossible to provide a meaningful answer as to whether not attending would put you at a disadvantage compared to those who will participate.
• However, attending these pre-MBA programs will certainly strengthen your profile since the selection criteria will most likely be very similar to any position you could apply to.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

I would personally try to attend if you can.

Of course, they aren't going to say “participate in these events win you an invitiation”. However, remember that networking is half the battle with applications.

Demonstrating your interested quantitatively (showing up) AND interacting with MBBers and networking qualitatively does 100% boost your chances come application time.

Now, if you have other plans and can't combine both, then it just is what it is!

If said other plan is travel/vacation, maybe reconsider. If said other plan is an incredible internship at a prestigious firm, then of course that's more important.

You need to do a bit of cost-benefit analysis here. Yes, those that attend will have a higher chance of interviewing. However, by no means does not attending ruin your chances.

Make sense?