Non target school but experience in t2 consulting

Question

Hi,

I have 2 year of experience within Deloitte and Accenture where now I am CL-9

I hold an LL.M. with max grades done at the 2nd target school within the country but my master was done at a trash tier school with low grades.

My dream is to land a job into MBB, I really like both McKinsey and BCG, I would accept Junior associate or whatever if I ever got an offer without blinking, as I think these are the best environments to learn and become very good professionals.

I have sent numerous applications to them in the past but I am not even getting to stage 1 interview despite cover letters and what I think is a good CV.

Could it be because of the non target trash tier master with low grades?

Should I try to get a referral? How?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hi there,

Sorry to hear!

It could definitely be due to non target school and low grades.

These are the important things to think of when applying for top firms. You can answer these questions yourself to determine where you stand:

Is your school reputable/a target school?
What's your GPA compared to your cohort?
Do you have relevant work experience with good brand names in relevant positions (e.g., quant, strategy)?
Do you have leadership experience outside of education and work? Are you engaged in some extracurricular activities?
Have you worked/studied abroad for some time?
Are the things mentioned above something the CV screener can see consistently?

You should be able to say Yes to most of the items above (especially in the education and work experience bucket) to stand a chance in the current recruiting environment.

Additionally, try to network to score referrals before sending your applications next time!

All the best,

Florian

Answer 2

Hi there,

1) Could it be because of the non target trash tier master with low grades?

Very difficult to know if that's the main reason without having a look at your CV. I would recommend (i) asking for feedback from current consultants you know, (ii) posting an anonymized version of your CV here in the Q&A, or (iii) getting feedback from a coach for proper insights.

2) Should I try to get a referral? How?

A referral can substantially increase your chances, you can find some tips for that below:

▶ How to Get an MBB Invitation

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 3

There can be lots of reasons and it's impossible to tell based on your high-level description.

Honestly, the best investment at this point is to get on a call with an expert and discuss your situation in depth.

The ROI on that would be amazing in your situation.

Otherwise, if you want to get an understand of what is important to optimise for when developing your application, you might want to check out this guide:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi MBBerwannabe,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about the rejections!

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

First of all, without looking at your application files, it is very difficult to identify the reasons for your multiple rejections. I would therefore advise you to consider working with an experienced coach like myself to help you analyze and polish your application files.
Moreover, I would highly advise you to get a referral before your next applications. Such a referral is obtained through networking, so you should reach out to current consultants at your target firms and offices.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare your application files, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 5

If you have not yet applied via a referral - then that should definitely be something you would want to try.

Regarding your credentials - it is hard to say what is the real reason for lack of success in applications - unless we get a look at your CV and application letters.

Feel free to share over message and I can provide a more detailed and personalized opinion.

Answer 6

Could it be? Yes, as it is a negative point in your CV.

Do you seem to have overcome that negative? Also yes - but of course, at a worse position vs. someone who doesn't have it.

Might be something else? Also possible.

And yes, a referral may help.

Answer 7

We can't help with the limited information you have shared.

I suggest you ask a coach for help to review your application materials and craft a proper application strategy.

Happy to help you with this, just send me a private message.

Best,

Alberto

Answer 8

Hi Abhiram, First of all, I am sorry to hear about your unsuccessful applications to LBS/Oxbridge! I would be happy t... (read entire answer)

Hi Abhiram, First of all, I am sorry to hear about your unsuccessful applications to LBS/Oxbridge! I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question: First of all, pursuing... (read entire answer)

Answer 9

Hi there, Q: Should I apply now or wait a few days for the 12 month ban to pass? I’m not even sure if BCG has a 12 mo... (read entire answer)

Hi there, Q: Should I apply now or wait a few days for the 12 month ban to pass? I’m not even sure if BCG has a 12 month ban or a 24 month ban. If you have someone who can refer... (read entire answer)

Answer 10

Thanks for sharing the full context. This is helpful. First of all, GPA on its own means nothing. Recruiters know thi... (read entire answer)

Thanks for sharing the full context. This is helpful. First of all, GPA on its own means nothing. Recruiters know this. This is why it's better to not only mention your GPA but... (read entire answer)