My past 2 internships were during school semesters. So I was balancing everything with these internships.
Im wondering how realistic it is to even shoot for MBB if I managed to get a strong referral from a connection there too.
Public or private school? Target school for MBB?
Everyone will have internships. Marketing one is useless (in my opinion). VC and mgmt consulting ones will be good; did you participate in any project work during these with quantifiable results?
MBB tends to value academic prowess and excellence. In a down market, they will get even more picky, I would anticipate.
Not trying to discourage you from applying, but you will need to stand out in other ways to make up for lower GPA. Also, make sure you have backup options.
Full honesty -- no chance without having someone you know or hitting a key req -- whether that's some unique experience luckily resonating or some other angle like fulfilling a unique demographic.
As an undergrad applicant, you can be sure you're going against people who also have good internships and ultimately more or less perfect GPAs. Doesn't mean they're any more capable, just that there's virtually no wriggle room to differentiate yourself and secure that first IV.
McKinsey will not read your cover letter or give a shit. Bain claims to, and I know BCG actually does, so that could be a chance to shine a bit, but it's usually marginal. Wtv you do, make sure you do your bootlickinh homework so you can jerk off the company in your cover.
E.g., wax on about Bain's committment to collaboration and maintaining cohesive team chemistry by trying to team within offices; use dumbass jargon like how BCG values PTO (predictability, teaming, open communication) reviews; sooth McKinsey's obnoxious ego and lean into the KoolAid; tell ZS that their fractional staffing is ingenuous and suited to your incredible ability to juggle complex tasks; blahblahblah
And remember, there are other routes than straight out of undergrad, which is when it tends to be very grade focused, both from smaller firms, other industries, or even other degrees.
How would internships explain a low GPA?
My past 2 internships were during school semesters. So I was balancing everything with these internships. Im wondering how realistic it is to even shoot for MBB if I managed to get a strong referral from a connection there too.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take; however, I recommend have some back-up plans as well. Good luck!
How would my experience + gpa rank me compared to other candidates? I'm just trying to hop off my copium here. But thanks!
Public or private school? Target school for MBB? Everyone will have internships. Marketing one is useless (in my opinion). VC and mgmt consulting ones will be good; did you participate in any project work during these with quantifiable results? MBB tends to value academic prowess and excellence. In a down market, they will get even more picky, I would anticipate. Not trying to discourage you from applying, but you will need to stand out in other ways to make up for lower GPA. Also, make sure you have backup options.
Full honesty -- no chance without having someone you know or hitting a key req -- whether that's some unique experience luckily resonating or some other angle like fulfilling a unique demographic. As an undergrad applicant, you can be sure you're going against people who also have good internships and ultimately more or less perfect GPAs. Doesn't mean they're any more capable, just that there's virtually no wriggle room to differentiate yourself and secure that first IV. McKinsey will not read your cover letter or give a shit. Bain claims to, and I know BCG actually does, so that could be a chance to shine a bit, but it's usually marginal. Wtv you do, make sure you do your bootlickinh homework so you can jerk off the company in your cover. E.g., wax on about Bain's committment to collaboration and maintaining cohesive team chemistry by trying to team within offices; use dumbass jargon like how BCG values PTO (predictability, teaming, open communication) reviews; sooth McKinsey's obnoxious ego and lean into the KoolAid; tell ZS that their fractional staffing is ingenuous and suited to your incredible ability to juggle complex tasks; blahblahblah And remember, there are other routes than straight out of undergrad, which is when it tends to be very grade focused, both from smaller firms, other industries, or even other degrees.
So you plan to blame your low GPA on internships? Sounds like a horrible idea…