Is MBB without MBA possible?

Hello there,

Is it worth it to apply to a top MBA just to get a shot at an MBB interview?
Not necessarily. While top MBAs provide a structured recruiting pipeline, they are costly and time-intensive. Given your 12+ years of experience and a Master’s in Finance, you may already qualify for experienced hire roles at MBB or Tier 2 firms without an MBA. If consulting is your only reason for an MBA, it may not be the most efficient route.

Is it possible to get an interview with MBB if you don’t have experience with big companies or come from a top MBA?
Yes, but it depends on how you position yourself and the region you're applying to. In Europe, many consultants join with just a Master’s, whereas in the U.S., MBAs are more common. Without big-company experience, you need to emphasise:

• Leadership & impact: As an NGO director, you’ve likely led teams, managed budgets, and driven strategy.
• Industry fit: MBB has strong social impact and public sector practices, where your experience is relevant.
• Networking & referrals: Reach out to MBB consultants in social/public sector teams to improve your chances.

I am also having doubts on whether to pursue an MBA just for consulting?
An MBA is a big investment, so only pursue it if it offers long-term value beyond consulting. If your primary goal is MBB, first try experienced hire routes, networking, and targeting Tier 2 firms. If these don’t work, then consider an MBA from a top school where MBB recruits actively.

Let me know if you need help refining your strategy!

Best wishes,
Johannes

Hello there,

Can you share more about your background so you can receive a more specific answer? 

Best,

Mari

MBB without an MBA is definitely possible, though your path depends on your current stage:

If you're an undergraduate, target schools have established recruiting channels, but strong candidates from other schools do break in through aggressive networking and case preparation.

For experienced hires, industry expertise can be your ticket in - MBB values specialized knowledge they can sell to clients.

That said, a top MBA remains the most reliable path to MBB. The structured recruiting process gives you clear interview opportunities that are otherwise hard to secure. The success rates from M7/T10 programs are substantially higher.

For tier-2 firms like Roland Berger and Strategy&, the barriers are somewhat lower, but the fundamental approaches remain similar.

Consider an MBA if consulting truly aligns with your long-term goals, not just as a ticket to an interview. The investment is substantial.

A large number of people, if not the majority, enter consulting as analysts, as and such, without an MBA. However, these are entry level or relatively inexperienced positions, and someone who is far more experienced will instead be considered for a Consultant / Associate Role.

In either case, consulting firms are looking for any markers of excellence or exceptional performance. A mix of strong academics, company brand names and superior career performance / progression is what they are looking for. Not all of them need to be excellent (but at least "good") but something needs to be a bit stronger.

Getting into a Top Business School MBA is one of those markers of excellence, and as such they will prefer hiring into that pool of candidates. Of course you don't need this to get an interview - but you need the rest that I mentioned above. 

Beware that a Top MBA will be looking for the same attributes, although with variants and some opportunities to show that you have potential. A very strong GMAT score, a strong essay that reveals something exceptional about you, etc.

I always suggest that you try to get an interview first, and if that doesn't work, (only) then you should consider the MBA. Looks like you already tried, so MBA is something to consider. It is quite expensive and payback will be probably be reached AFTER you leave consulting, so you have to have a longer term view on this. 

On the other hand, there are a lot of very good strategy boutiques. You will do similar work, learn similar things, and most likely they are a bit less demanding on the personal side (and on travelling). If you are accepted into one that has an area of focus (e.g. specific industry or practice) after a few years you become a very interesting "asset", i.e., someone who has a lot of expertise in a given area, and that may be attractive to those T2 and MBBs out there. In your case, I would consider this before trying to pursue the MBA route.

Hi there,

It is definitely to land an MBB interview without an MBA. Many successful candidates have diverse backgrounds and have broken in through strong analytical skills and persistent networking. Focus on building relevant experience, consider stepping-stone roles in reputable firms, and refine your pitch continuously. Every step adds value—stay determined, and your unique journey will set you apart.

Let me know if you need any help with your prep.

Best,

Evelina 

Hi there,

I wanted to share a bit about my experience to offer some perspective. When I applied to McKinsey, I didn’t have an MBA, and my job experience was limited to a small startup with just four people. Honestly, I applied on a whim, without much expectation of getting an interview. I didn’t even know what a "case interview" was, as I was working as a data science manager at the time.

Surprisingly, I received an offer, stayed at McKinsey for about three years, and left as an engagement manager. Now, I’m helping others successfully navigate the process of getting into top consulting firms.

I'd love to learn more about your background so I can help guide you on the best approach. There are multiple career tracks at MBB, and if you're aiming for a generalist role, an MBA may be necessary. However, if you bring other expertise, there could be more opportunities than you might think.

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat. I’d be happy to help you find the best path based on your experience.

Cheers,

Han