Am I good enough to join MBB?

I am a degree apprentice for a big 4 consultancy, with 1 day off for study (management degree with the Open University).

Once I complete my degree, I hope to join either McKinsey, Bain or BCG as a generalist. I will have 4YE working as a (non-strat) analyst.

As I see it, my greatest obstacle will be getting an interview given my lack of a prestigious education/good upbringing.

Grateful for any insights on how I can maximise my chances/if I have a chance at all.

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Higher chance being an experienced hire (versus grad level).
Networking your way in will be key - only takes one person to have faith in you and tell HR to give you a shot.
Note that networking is hard - the world is full of keen smart people and cold approaches to people on LinkedIn unlikely to yield results. Try via an industry group, if you cross paths on client site, etc

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You could always try game the system hy doing a one year masters at a top school - oxbrige or *some* London schools. And then apply fresh.
I know for a fact people get in this way.

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Yeah this is the best route with lowest investment

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It feels like MBB are very an*l about prestigious education being their first filter for junior roles.

I think your advantage is your experience - I’d much rather hire you than those who are newly oxbridge educate, if they came at the same price.

Try not to focus on the “I had a poor upbringing” angle, but really hone in on the great experience and skills you’ve picked up from work the past 4 years.

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I would say don’t bother spending too much time on the applications and research - if you will land an interview - great. But it would be better to get some exp under your belt first and then try to move (likely to the grad grade but if MBB is what you want to do then you stand a much better chance then)

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Masters in management courses at places like LSE, LBS etc. have a fairly good hit rate with MBB and decent way to ‘rebrand’. Significantly cheaper than an MBA. Albeit still quite a pricey route.

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@Mckinsey1, it was true in my year - quite a few people transferred to the London MBB offices afterwards from their local ones, but nobody without Oxbridge got in initially.

I would say you always have a chance. Unfortunately I don’t have much specific advice to offer other than to say I think networking will be key to get an interview. Then I imagine in the interview as well as acing the case studies you’ll need to have a really strong story about your background and why MBB etc.

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It also depends on what your service line is now and the work you’re doing etc. Good luck though!

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London MBB is almost excusively Oxbridge as far as I know. Don't want to be a downer but chances are astronomically low.

Easier to get into Big4 ->T2->MBB or try post MBA if you get into a good one

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This isn’t true! Whilst there is a skew to the top several Universities, there are a bunch of other factors considered in screening like impactful work experience, leadership and non-work related achievements e.g. sport, charity, music, arts etc. It’s completely plausible to get to interview from a Uni outside the top 10 if you are strong across those categories.

I do however agree that the most likely route in is a couple of years in an established strategy tier 2 or boutique. Or an MBA if you want to carry that debt!

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