So I have now attended both the McKinsey introduction to Insight and the intro to Bridge to BCG. Both programs were interesting. None of the information was too new, but I find the more people I talk to, the more confident I feel about how I fit into the cultures of each firm. It is for this reason that I would encourage you to go to these types of events even if you don't think you need to hear "another pitch." I won't elaborate too much on where I personally feel more comfortable because I don't want to influence anyone's thought process.
Briefly, I have always thought the McKinsey programs felt a little bit too structured and felt a little standoffish (it might actually be that their presentations are just more formal and very professional), but this last program was very welcoming. The folks giving the talks were all very personable. Most of the McKinsey events that I have been to in the past were run by men and this program was predominantly run by women, which may have accounted for the more welcoming feel. I don't know if that was a strategic/planned decision or not, but whatever the reason, I got a better feel at this talk than I have at ones in the past.
The introduction to BCG program was actually extremely impressive. I am always impressed by the view from their 32nd floor office (overlooking the Boston Harbor). The speaker was the newly appointed head of the healthcare practice for the Americas and was very enthusiastic about the work they do there. It is nice to see someone that is still so excited about consulting after 16 years. It seems like business at BCG is really great. Some of the other firms are delaying their new hires start date while BCG is actually trying to push it up and from talking to the folks last night, it seems like hiring will be up significantly this next season. There were plenty of consultants around to talk to after the presentation which was nice...they are all quite nice people and very easy to get along with...overall this event was enough to really get you excited about the upcoming recruiting season.
I will probably get back to working on my resume this weekend. I have really reworked the resume since last year just to make sure it has the impact I am looking for...but that's a topic for another day.
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Hey CC,
ReplyDeleteDo you know what is the selection process like for the Bridge to BCG program, ie is there a paper test, interview, etc?
Thanks!
For bridge, no paper test and no interview. The invitations are extended based purely on the resume and cover letter so it's really important you are able to use those to stand out. This is especially important because they will use that same resume to interview you for a full time position in the fall if you are selected to attend bridge so you really want to make sure it is up to par before you submit. I will be submitting my application this week... Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBridge application is in! I'll let you know about the status...any readers have status updates, let us know!
ReplyDeleteJust throwing this out there in blog-land. Has anyone heard back from McKinsey regarding the insight program?
ReplyDeleteI think today (May, 7th) was the deadline.
Best/
I haven't heard from McKinsey yet today about Insight. It's making me nervous, but I hope they will contact me either way.
ReplyDeleteJust heard back from insight. Got into the next round!
ReplyDeleteNope, I haven't heard back from Insight either. When I was in grad school, I was actually a finalist for Insight in 2008 but didn't get selected to participate (I think they interviewed ~2x the people they planned to invite). They still asked me to apply for a job and offered to pass me straight to the final round, but I declined -- decided I wanted to do a postdoc instead.
ReplyDeleteI'm now a postdoc and have decided I'd like to pursue consulting, so I figured it'd be worth throwing my hat in the ring again. Don't know if being a previous finalist who wasn't selected will work against me.
Just heard back from Mckinsey Insight. Got into the next round
ReplyDeleteI didn't apply to insight so I can't really contribute too much to the accept/reject tally, but I wouldn't get too concerned if you don't get offered a spot. McK interviews a WHOLE lot more folks for full time positions than they take for insight so I don't think it really means too much. I think Insight is as much about promoting McK as it is about getting the "best" to participate in their workshop. They definitely want to bring some people in who will help advertise McK when they get back from Insight. I think the Healthcare Insight is heavily weighted towards MDs compared to PhD's, a balance that doesn't exist for full time hires.
ReplyDeleteI'm the "anonymous" who commented earlier in this thread about having been a finalist for Insight a couple of years ago. I just heard that I'm a finalist again for this year's program.
ReplyDeleteFunny that I didn't get the email until 8:30 or so tonight, considering that a few others here seem to have heard much earlier.
No go for me. Got the message at about 10pm EST. Good luck to everyone
ReplyDeleteStill haven't heard anything either way...
ReplyDeleteI interviewed for Insight last year but wasn't invited.
I too got an e-mail around 4p EST about moving to the next round. For those who have gone thro' to the next phone interview round, anything you would like to share?
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of business scenario question/s would they ask ?
So I posted the original question.
ReplyDeleteI still have not gotten an email yet regarding Insight. I'm sure that's a sign :/ –However, while I did get an email confirmation when I submitted my application (despite it being very close to the deadline), I was kinda expecting some automated response by now.
Considering:
ReplyDeleteIs my understanding correct that you applied for Insight last year, didn't make it, then applied for a full-time position later and did quite well in the interview process?
I am the person who posted earlier that I did not get in. I am just trying to figure out if I have a shot at getting an interview later this year or whether this seels my fate as far as McK goes.
Has anyone else still not heard any thing?
ReplyDeleteI definitely received a confirmation email that my application was submitted successfully. There seems to be at least one other person that commented that has yet to hear too.
Have the responses been for Health Care, Engineering, or both?
Hi - I applied to the Insight Program in Chicago. I still haven't heard back regarding my application. It looks like at least one person was notified of not being accepted so I'd expect a response either way. I find it interesting that everyone is reporting hearing back at very different times (i.e. a mass email wasn't sent out at 4pm to everyone). I'd love to hear more about the status of others applications and also hear more about this second round. To be honest, I didn't know there was a second round...
ReplyDeleteI'll be brief here, but "second round" is the last round as far as Insight goes...you will have a phone interview which is kind of a mini-version of the actual interview process in the fall. This will involve a short case so you should probably work through a few and be able to structure your answers before the phone call. The bar won't be quite as high as it would be for the actual interview, but you still need to have your stuff together.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the 10:53AM post. You are correct that I didn't get an invite to Inisght last year. I got a straight e-mail rejection and didn't get a chance to go through the phone interview. You are also correct that I did do fairly well in the interview process for a full-time position so I don't really believe that not being chosen for Insight really impacts your chances for the full time job. Additionally, folks that did go to Insight didn't all end up with jobs at McK. The best advice that I can give is to go back through your resume and figure out how you might be able to make it stand out a little bit more for the fall. Also work hard to network between now and then and work hard on your case interview skills and prep your personal stories so that you can shine in the fall. Now is really when you need to begin preparing for the full time position if you are serious about making a career in consulting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that...good to hear from someone who has been there.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog and thanks again for all of the insight; pun intended :)
Someone earlier asked a very good question - have the responses (positive or negative) been for Insight to Health Care or Insight to Engineering? Let me clarify my situation, I have not heard back regarding the Insight to Engineering Program.
ReplyDeleteNo - Healthcare (same no as earlier)
ReplyDeleteApplied for insight engineering & sc.
ReplyDeleteNot heard anything back yet.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteCan someone tell us what kind of questions are asked in the phone interview.
Thanks
...L
I'm not sure how significant the personal interview component is, but there will definitely be a case.
ReplyDeleteAny of the other Engineering & Sci. Insight applicants hear anything back yet? Nothing for me.
ReplyDeleteBest/
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAny other Insight Healthcare applicants haven't heard anything back?
ReplyDeletejust heard back positively today...phone interviews are between 5/12-5/21.
ReplyDeleteI also just heard back from Insight Science and Engineering (I was one of the posts Friday who hadn't heard back). I advanced to be a finalist: phone interviews May 13-21. Best of luck to all!
ReplyDeleteI just got the phone interview email from the Insight Health Care program. Since I haven't done much cases so far, I wonder whether someone will be interested to practice some cases over phone. Please email me, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI also just received an email from Insight Science and Engineering. I also advanced to be a finalist with a phone interview between May 13-21.
ReplyDeleteHey CC,
ReplyDeleteWhen would be the right time to apply for a full time if I still have not heard back from Insight?
Your blog is awesome - thank you!
I haven't heard back either. But to apply for a full time position, I think you can do it in the fall. Off season application is not impossible, but they have more structured program for recruiting in the fall.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get selected for the Insight Eng & Sc Program but was offered an invitation for a full-time interview for Fall. Anyone else in the same boat? And yes, Thanks for this wonderful blog!
ReplyDeleteI think someone already kind of answered the question about applying for full time positions. I would apply in the fall when the recruiting cycle is in full swing. I will probably be posting more heavily around that time about the application process. There is also a lot about the application process in some of the previous posts.
ReplyDeleteBy the way--congrats to all of those moving on to the next round....it seems like a lot of readers are having good luck!
Considering Consulting: I posted at 3:55 pm. In my post I meant that in my email from Mck I am told not to send in a separate application for Fall. They have extended an invitation for Fall interview based on my Insight application! Thanks
ReplyDeleteOh snap.
ReplyDeleteGot rejected like a paper sent to Science. Well, there's always Nature or BCG. Good luck to you all who got 2nd round. Send us updates during the process (how the phone interviews go, etc) and insight.
Also, since I would love to get into consulting but apparently I'm going up against smart folk. Tell us about yourselves? A short poll:
1) Are you east coast, mid-west, west coast?
2) Are you a Post-doc?
3) On a scale 1-10 (1 = best), how would you rank your publication history against your peers?
4) On a scale 1-10 (1 = best), how would you rank your leadership skill against your peers?
5) Are you at an Ivy or next door to one?
6) Optional: Your general area of study?
@CC, thanks for all your work on this blog!
Best/
I was not only rejected, but also suggested to wait for 18-24 months before I reapply.
ReplyDeleteIn response to the anonymous comment at 5:01pm:
ReplyDelete1)I'm on the east coast now but did my PhD on the west coast.
2)I'm in the first year of my postdoc.
3)4 (three first-author papers in solid, but not top-tier, journals, and a mid-author paper in a top journal)
4)2
5)I did my PhD on the west coast, at the top university in the world for my field, and am a postdoc at a slightly lesser school but in a more prestigious lab.
Sorry, forgot to mention that I'm a finalist for Insight Healthcare.
ReplyDeleteThanks DJ.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
Best/
I think it's a good idea to collect the info. Here's mine:
ReplyDelete1. west coast
2. 2nd year of postdoc
3. 5 first author papers in top journal in the field, 15 co-authored papers. I'll give a 2 on this one.
4. 2 or 3. It's hard to score this one.
5. Ph.D from an Ivy, now postdoc in the best school in my field (top 1 or 2).
6. astrophysics.
not selected for the science and engineering insight.
1. East coast
ReplyDelete2. Not a post-doc; PhD student
3. 4 .. I have 1 first author in a 'top-shelf journal' and 2 middle author in decent journals (1 with an impact factor > 10)
4. 2 or 3 .. I've done 2 internships during my PhD.
5. At an Ivy
6. Applied Math
Not selected.
Yes, I got the e-mail about not getting chosen for Insight, but asking me to interview for the fall. Does this mean anything at all, or is this what all the rejected folks get?
ReplyDeleteGood call on the poll, I am curious too:
ReplyDelete1.)East...Southeast really, ATL
2.)graduate student
3.)2 first authors in top journal, 1 second author in lower journal. Better than most around me but maybe not for the field as a whole
4.)1 or 2-ish
5.)Definitely not an Ivy, good but not great program
6.)organic chemistry
Denied for Healthcare and wasn't really told much except for no thanks and we can't give you any personal tips. Good luck to everyone moving forward!
I can feed into the poll too:
ReplyDelete1) Midwest
2) 4th year in phd
3) rank 3-4 (2 first authors, 1 second author)
4) 2
5) not an ivy
6) biomed engineering
not selected!
I don't think those who were selected would have time to provide inputs to this poll as they should be busy preparing for their interviews, but I hope they could come back after they are done with the interviews so that we can get a better idea why we were not selected.
ReplyDeleteHere is my info:
ReplyDelete1) East coast, top school.
2) Not a PhD, not enrolled in one.
3) One journal publication
4) 9 years of industry experience
Moved on to the phone interview round - Insight Science and Engineering
Thanks anon. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteBest/
Heard back from Bridge to BCG already -- they said that, since I live outside of the metro areas and would need to fly in, they aren't able to consider me for the program -- they're only looking at local people.
ReplyDeleteBut they said they were "extremely impressed" and "very interested in my profile," and invited me to apply this fall -- so that's cool.
Hi DJ, Good to know people are starting to hear back from BCG. I have not received any word back yet, but maybe decisions will start to trickle down soon. Congrats on the feedback you did receive. That sounds pretty promising and after all, a full time offer is what you are after...attending Bridge would have just been icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteDJ, as a side note, would you mind sharing your profile that BCG thought was so interesting and maybe give a short note on how you made your skills stand out to a recruiter on your resume or cover letter?
ReplyDeleteCC--
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy to! If you scroll up a bit, I did answer the "poll" earlier -- I am a finalist for Insight this year (my phone interview is tonight, actually). So that might answer a few questions.
I think the biggest reason that my profile has been attractive to BCG and McKinsey is actually fairly boring: I went to top schools for my undergrad and PhD (the big 3 firms all recruit heavily at all of the schools I have attended). In addition, my GPA and test scores are very high.
So even though I don't have business/consulting experience of any sort, I feel like my background gives me an excellent shot at getting noticed.
On my cover letter, I kept it brief (less than 1 page) and put forward concrete examples of experiences from my scientific career showing why I would make an excellent consultant. I think you have to come across as very self-confident, and show that you could be successful in science or any other field, but that you've chosen consulting because reasons X, Y, and Z.
Top schools, good scores, and grades usually pretty good indicator of a smart person...good luck with the interview tonight, I hope you get an offer.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I'll definitely post the results here when I hear back from McKinsey (shouldn't be til the end of the month). I bet they're interviewing a lot more people than they plan to invite, so the odds might still be stacked against me.
ReplyDeleteI'm bummed I won't get to participate in Bridge to BCG because of where I live, but I'm obviously very happy to have received such great feedback from them. I really hope you get an invitation to Bridge!
DJ,
ReplyDeleteHow was your Insight phone interview. Anything you would like to share ? Especially what was the business scenario discussion like ?
I have mine next week.
Actually, I got an email from McKinsey yesterday afternoon asking me if I could reschedule -- I guess my interviewer had a conflict, so it got pushed back until next week.
ReplyDeleteAnyone else besides DJ heard back from BCG yet?...I was thinking they might be in touch this week after hearing that DJ had gotten a response already!
ReplyDeletei actually emailed them and got a response back saying that they will start notifying candidates early June. good luck to everyone!!
ReplyDeleteA note to the applicants who didn't move on to the next round: Don't give up! I applied to both McK Insight and Bridge to BCG in 2009 but wasn't invited to either weekends. However, I interviewed for internships at the beginning of 2010 and will be joining McKinsey as a summer associate in a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck, guys.
Here goes:
ReplyDelete1) mid-west
2) finishing my ph.d.
3) 4
4) 3
5) No
6) it's an interdisciplinary field sometimes linked to social sciences
I was invited to interview for Insight Science & Engineering by email on May 8, had my interview yesterday morning. We discussed my resume and my essay and then did a mini-case, for which I admit I was not very prepared, but was able to work through with some guidance from the interviewer.
I should note I do not have degrees from top schools other than my current one, but have good test scores and some previous IT-related consulting experience, as well as a number of foreign languages.
Thanks for sharing Anon@10:35
ReplyDeleteHow long was the phone interview and how much of that was the mini-case. Was it data heavy ?
1) East Coast
ReplyDelete2) PhD
3) 3
4) 1
5) Top Medical School
6) Biophysics
1. East Coast
ReplyDelete2. Post-doc
3 4 (3 first author, 1 second author)
4. 1 (played football at major Division I university)
5. Phd not at Ivy, post-doc = ivy
6. Cell biology
So we shouldn't expect to hear back about BCG bridge until the beginning of June?? Ugggg.... I was hoping to know something by the end of this week. Oh well.
ReplyDeletethis is what I was told in the email. I hope it won't end up like McKinsey Insight notifications.
ReplyDeleteHi CC,
ReplyDeleteJust came across your blog the other day. What a great place to meet people who share similar background and career interests! Thanks for hosting this website.
My status:
1. East coast
2. PhD (finishing up next year hopefully)
3. 4 (2 first author, 1 middle author)
4. 3 (more active in college but not so much in grad school)
5. Top Ivy medical school
6. Immunology
I missed the deadline for Insight, but applied for Bridge. After sending out my application, I realized my cover letter wasn't very well written (I'm an international student). Haven't heard anything from Bridge yet. Hope to hear from them soon.
Good luck to everyone as well:)
TT
when you got a response back from BCG on the time line for hearing back, what office was that from? i wonder if the response time may vary from office to office. it seems as if everyone has trouble getting any kind of response from the Boston office...i wonder if it is the same for everyone else too?
ReplyDeleteI believe the response was from NY office since it was the one that I was supposed to submit my application to. but the email was sent from a generic email address with a name (no surname)
ReplyDeleteI did apply to the Boston office. Maybe they have a later notification time frame.
ReplyDeleteI applied to the Boston office too and haven't heard anything yet. The NY bridge program is July 22nd and Boston's is July 8th. That being said, you would assume that people who applied to the Boston office would hear back first. I hope that's the case. Kind of hoping to hear something by the end of this week (which would be 2 weeks from the application deadline).
ReplyDeleteI was also hoping to hear something back by the end of the week, although perhaps a longer time frame for review means that they are spending a little more time with our applications and that could be a good thing. Like going through a lot of data in science, you don't want to miss your big hit (i.e. dismiss a great candidate because you are moving too fast)...want to make sure things are done right...we should be able to appreciate that! Although the suspense involved in waiting dragged out for an entire month can be pretty brutal on the rest of us!
ReplyDeleteMcKinsey set a deadline for getting back to everyone and we all know how that went. It might almost be less professional to set a deadline that you don't adhere to.
ReplyDeleteHad my McK Insight interview yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWent for about 30 minutes. General background related questions and a mini case with quite a bit of calculations.
I understand they got ~600 apps for Insight Healthcare and Sc. and Eng. with a selectivity of ~ 27% for the phone interviews.
Good luck to all!
thanks for the information anon 3:03. what kind of calculations were you expected to compute? would love to have any tips regarding the math section of the interview.
ReplyDeleteInteresting! I was told by my interviewer that they got ~700 application for the insight healthcare alone and selected 80 for interview and will invite 40 for the program.
ReplyDeleteWell... the info I got was the same. More than 600+ apps, with about 165 selected for interviews and then about 80 go to the Insight.
ReplyDeleteAll figures, they said were totals (40+40 for each of the programs.)
Did you ask for these numbers or did they just provide them? I didn't even think to ask - but I'm glad that some of you did!
ReplyDeleteWell, in my case it was unsolicited. They just volunteered to provide it!
ReplyDeleteWell, my hopes of hearing back about Bridge by today are quickly going down the drain. Guess first of June applies to Boston too.
ReplyDeleteBesides Bridge to BCG and Insight programs, Do you guys know if there is any other program/workshop offered by a consulting firm?
ReplyDeleteBTW.. Bridge or Insight, I am really curious to find out what fundamental and solid value do these program have for the participant and the companies...
ReplyDeleteIf we take Insight for example, does it mean that they want to lure the 80 selected ones to join the firm after giving them a good taste of it... who otherwise are smart but would have been wary of the unknown field of consultancy?
How many of the 80 would actually join... and are only that many enough as new hires from non-MBA per year for all this effort ??
To add to that... I am aware that each one regardless of Insight/Bridge selection or not has to go thro' their entire interview process.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about that too. How much, if any, of a leg up does attending Bridge or insight give you during the interview process. Obviously, it helps just by meeting people etc., but I would love to know the % of people who attend Bridge and insight who eventually get full time offers.
ReplyDeleteI heard about people who went to both Bridge and Insight made to last round of interview at both firms but did not get any full time offer.
ReplyDeleteAny word back from McKinsey after the phone interviews? Did they give you a date when you should expect to hear back? Alternatively, any word from BCG for anyone yet?
ReplyDeleteBy May 28 for McKinsey. By early June for BCG.
ReplyDeleteI just found this blog. It's great! I applied to the Bridge to BCG program and I also have not heard anything yet.
ReplyDeleteFound out that I am not selected for the Insight after the phone interview. The expected "invited for interview in fall" note was mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWhen did you hear back from them? Which insight program did you apply to? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI just found out I was accepted to Insight Science and Engineering.
ReplyDeleteDitto...invited to Insight Science and Eng.
ReplyDeleteJust got invited to insight healthcare...got an email around 2 pm for anyone whose wondering about details.....
ReplyDeleteAnother Insight Science and Engineering invite - received the email around 2 pm EDT.
ReplyDeletecongratulations to everyone!!!
ReplyDeleteI got the rejection for Science and Eng. :( Congrats to all who were invited!!
ReplyDeleteWell, looks like there are looking more for diversity in experiences for the final cut.
ReplyDeleteWonder what factors were considered...as I always felt, I have a very unique background.
Anyways at least I have an interview invite from McKinsey ;)... not sure if I want to pursue.
Congrats to those selected..!
heard back that i got in to insight healthcare! congratulations to everyone
ReplyDeleteSo when do the interviws for full time positions begin? August or September?
ReplyDeleteI got through to the phone round for insight but just got an email that I am not being invited. I applied for insight engineering. I don't know if I should consider it a consolation that they asked me to interview for a full time position in august. So this years recruiting kicks off in august.
ReplyDeleteCC: thanks for this blog. It's a big help getting some perspective.
Can we start signing off with an anonymous but unique id to make it easier to refer to each other. I will call myself:
Marriott.
Why have they preponed the hiring season? Is it because they really need people or just like that.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Jack Bauer, you can call me JB.
Does anyone know what the general timeline is for interviews in the fall? Do they usually interview in August? I thought they usually started in October.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard of any cases where the interviewing post-Bridge/Insight can be done right away or at least before the regular interviews? How would one go about arranging that?
ReplyDeleteI am graduating a bit out of schedule for consulting (September) and would like to start working earlier than next fall. Well, assuming I even get into the workshop (applied for Bridge) and the interviews and get an offer... lot of assumptions :)
I am also graduating off schedule (October) and I had the same concern regarding a start date for employment. I asked a BCG recruiter this question and she said that an earlier start date can be arranged.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think now that the economy is sputtering back to life and the fact that consulting firms didn't hire many people last cycle indicates that they may need new hires on deck earlier than fall 2011.
To Lynxie and JB - The McK hiring timeline you have seen is normal. August's interviews are for people from the Insight process, and October's interviews are for people applying in the fall. In that way, they get to divide the load. This also helps them catch the good candidates from the Insight process early on in the hiring season.
ReplyDeleteBCG has been trying to do something similar.
To everyone taking part in McK's and/or BCG's summer programs - remember to be very polished in all your interactions with company representatives (consultants, admins, partners). Consider that every single interaction is evaluative and that this is a 2/3-day interview. This is not really about your getting to know them; it is more about their getting to know you (and finding reasons to not let you in). That is probably why only a few people attending these programs received an offer last year.
Good luck!
This is JB
ReplyDeleteThen why the hell they say that come and relax and be yourself, have fun at the program and enjoy. Oh!!!these firms drive me crazy, can't say when they r evaluating and when they r joking.
What r consultants - Some phantoms behind the scene...
JB -The do mean it when they say "be yourself", but you have to be your professional self. You need to show that you are smart, but also you need to show that you are respectful, that you can listen and engage others, that you can explain concepts and convince. Basically, you need to show that they could put you in front of a client. At the same time, you need to show that you are someone decently nice and it's good to spend some time with you. This is called the "airport test" and consultants use it to make sure you will be a good member in a team. This is fundamental because you will spend a lot of time with your fellow consultants at the airport or at the client site.
ReplyDeleteLook, these companies are not evil. They get paid very good money to help their clients, and they just need to make sure they have the best people in all dimensions (analytical brain, personal skills, presentation skills, etc.). They are highly selective because they can afford it: they pay well, offer a great job, and provide a good name and network. Lots, lots of people want this job and less than 2% of applicants get it.
If you are an APD and you really want the job, make sure you prepare your soft side for the Insight/Bridge. Prepare your stories, manners, clothes ... everything. Making a very good impression will take you far and it will be a good exercise for the real interviews. I've seen tons of great PhDs go through the selection process and fail, because they think it is all about brain power and don't perform well in the other aspects. Actually, consulting it is not so difficult analytically, but getting the other skills right is hard.
I really would like to see more APDs getting into consulting, because they are good at the job. They just need to be their professional self and not their academic self.
I have a quick question for SYNC,
ReplyDeleteAs far your dressing up is concerned, does it really matter. I mean, I have some shirts and jeans. Bur at the same time my like keeping my hair long and a stubby face. Do these things count, or it is imp what and how you speak than your looks. By looks I do not mean untidy but just you know like a scientist who woke in a lab.
I do not know, sometimes I feel this job is ALL FART NO SHIT.
Paul and all other readers,
ReplyDeletePlease start being professional while you are leaving comments here...it's not too early to start now. If you are naturally an unprofessional person (Paul) than consulting is not the place for you. I think you want to be yourself at all times, but "yourself" should be a cordial and professional. You have to interact with clients all the time and you can't be crude or disrespectful when they are relying on you and paying you A LOT for your advice. If you like the lab environment....looking and acting rough and dressing like a scientist than stay a scientist. If you aren't completely committed to doing whatever it takes to be in consulting it probably isn't the place for you. Sorry if that seems a little rough, but professionalism (attitude, dressing, etc.) goes hand in hand with consulting.
My 2 cents:
ReplyDeleteChill out guys, I second CC on his/her comment that we should be professional. But at the same time I guess this forum is meant to get more and more information about consulting in general. Maybe people like Paul etc, do not exactly know what it means to be a consultant and that is the reason they ask such questions.
As a community I believe our job is to answer those questions as sincerely as we can. We cannot expect everyone to have a solid knowledge of this industry.
So in short let us embrace all questions with an open mind.
P.S: Paul ur comment about the job is unwarranted, since you do not know as of know what this profession is so please do not pass on this kind of judgement.
I think I was referring more to the language in Paul's email. As the host of the blog, I am not a big fan of crude and unprofessional content and am pretty sure that kind of tenor is not readily appreciated in the business world. I believe I am generally pretty respectful of everyone's opinions and questions and will continue to be...after all, helping people understand the industry is the purpose of this blog. I do, however, reserve the right to delete your comments if I believe they are not appropriate or in line with my vision for the blog...just fair warning!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely CC, the buck stops at you...-:)
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard back from the Bridge to BCG program? I turned in my application on the last day (May 7) and the email confirmation message said that I should hear back in 'about 3 weeks,' but haven't received any word yet. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNo. I don't think anybody has heard back about Bridge. Word is, beginning of June. So hopefully, sometime this week we should all know something.
ReplyDeleteGreat, thanks so much! I have a general question about networking for anyone who wants to answer it. I am a final year PhD student at a top university in NYC. I was wondering how to go about networking with people at consulting firms. I know a couple of people at McK who have been good about answering my questions. However, I wrote to a member of the recruiting team at BCG asking if they could put me in touch with a consultant with a health care focus and they haven't responded yet. So my question is: How do I go about building connections with people in consulting given that these firms don't really do information sessions at my grad school? Also, do you think that all the applications that people fill out online actually get reviewed by the recruiters or do they tend to focus on a smaller subset of these applicants based on prior contact with them? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNot much different than what's already been posted, but just got the word that invites for Bridge will go out no later than this Friday.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people have emphasized the importance of clothing. Will a nice shirt and dress pants suffice or is there something more to it? Any specific suggestions in this regard (e.g. style, brand, etc)?
ReplyDeleteThe McKinsey invitation said
ReplyDelete"Dress Code:
Casual attire throughout the weekend. Jeans, nice t-shirts, and shorts are acceptable. Friday and Saturday afternoon, portions of the activity include walking in the city, so pack comfortable walking shoes."
I was planning to take them at their word.
I was going to bring nice pair pants and dress shirts for dinner on the first night and the boat cruise. Otherwise, I was planning on wearing jeans and a button up shirt.
ReplyDeleteI did not get selected for Insight, but was told that they were still impressed by my background and would be inviting me to interview in the fall. But I haven't actually received an interview date yet and when I wrote to one of the recruiters asking if I needed to fill out a full time application online, she said I should go ahead and submit one in the fall. I am confused now. Did anyone else have a similar experience?
ReplyDeleteStill no word from BCG...I'm guessing that tomorrow must be the day if they said this week....one more day and this week is over! I'm dying to hear, waiting is by FAR the worst part!
ReplyDeleteI second that.
ReplyDeleteAs for clothing, my McKinsey Insight Healthcare invite said that the first two days will be "business casual" and the last two days will be "casual," and they mentioned an "athletic activity" that will require sneakers. I'm erring on the side of classy and will be as businesslike as possible (funny, because I went to two of the most casually dressed schools in the US), except for the activity where I need to wear (nice) sneakers.
ReplyDeleteAM
If you are in Boston, you will hear from BCG by tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHow about New York? tomorrow, too?
ReplyDeleteWhere does this info about Boston come from? Boston and Friday come from?
ReplyDeleteI applied to NYC office and got a response back saying that candidates will be notified early June.I am guessing they mean the first part of the month.
ReplyDeleteTo Anon June 2 (2:50pm), I'm not really surprised by the recruiters response to your email. My guess is that McK has a CV bank for insight and a CV bank for the full time applications and it is too difficult for someone to move your application from one bin to another and they essentially want you to do it for them by applying for a full time position in the fall. Remember, at this stage in the game you don't mean anything to them...you are another number and for the most part will be treated as such (which is what you are experiencing now). You were good enough for them not to outright reject you for the fall, but NO ONE is so good that they are going to court you and pay you any special attention before they've actually even met you...especially if you didn't make the cut for insight. It's a tough game and you'll just have to keep playing it if you want to get to the finish line.
ReplyDeleteIf folks truly are hearing back from BCG today...good luck to everyone and keep us posted on your status1
ReplyDeleteSince there is a little debate on clothing, I include this link from KillerConsultant where he talks about clothing and consulting:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.killerconsultant.com/consulting101/shopping-for-the-first-day-clothing/
It might not be relevant for Insight, but maybe down the road it will be useful.
@ Anonymous(June 4, 2010 8:32 AM): Thanks for your response...I was sort of thinking along the same lines. I actually applied for Insight 4 days after the deadline passed (long story), but one of the recruiters had encouraged me to apply anyway and said that in case they could not invite me to Insight, they would still consider me for a full time position in the fall. That led me to think that perhaps they would make their decision using the same application materials. I will make sure I submit a separate application for the fall. I assure you I am under no illusion that I am special enough for McK (or any other firm) to court me at this stage in the game.
ReplyDeleteB2BCG - NY - RESULTS OUT.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean? RESULTS OUT? contact by phone or email...all people have been contacted?
ReplyDeleteJust got an email from the NY office saying that I hadn't been selected.
ReplyDeleteDid not get into Bridge to BCG
ReplyDeleteYes, BCG invites just in via email. I got a positive response and let's hope this will help with trying to apply off cycle.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who got a positive response from the NY office, could you please post your basic qualifications? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteJust got an email from the NY office saying that I hadn't been selected.
ReplyDeleteanyone in boston hear back from b2bcg yet?
ReplyDeleteHeard back from bcg ny office. Was not invited to Bridge but was invited to Insight, so I guess 1/2 isn't bad.
ReplyDeleteAny idea how the two programs compare in terms of numbers (applicants, attendees, etc)?
To 12:18PM:
ReplyDelete-Ivy PhD program, non-Ivy but decent undergrad
-Great GPA from both but not perfect GREs
-Part time work with business related stuff during grad school, leadership role
-Contact at BCG, not a recruiter or manager but probably was able to make sure my resume gets read
-Some volunteer work
Invited to BCG new york as well...Hope to meet other "Anonymous"(es) soon!
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the above comment, my background:
- Ivy PhD program, non-Ivy but decent undergrad
- Not very impressive GPA or GRE (not bad either)
- Part-time and some full-time business experience
Nothing from Boston yet on my end, but sounds like we should hear soon...esp since Boston is the earliest one.
ReplyDeleteGot a yes from NYC...ivy PhD with no real business experience..great grades and test scores and good activities. Also know a few consultants.
ReplyDeleteThis what I got in my inbox today
ReplyDeleteDear :
Thank you for your interest in The Boston Consulting Group's Bridge to BCG workshop.
While we were extremely impressed with the quality of the applicant pool, unfortunately we have a very limited number of openings and are unable to invite every candidate to participate.
Your credentials are very impressive. You have established an excellent track record and have clearly demonstrated superior abilities. However, we regret to inform you that you have not been selected to participate in the program due to the high level of interest and the limited space available. This was a very difficult decision considering your valuable experience and achievements.
Should your interest in consulting and in BCG persist, we encourage you to reapply in the fall when you begin your full-time career search. Each year, we hire a large number of full-time advanced degree candidates, and we remain very interested in your profile. The application deadline for the Class of 2011 is Friday, September 24, 2010.
We appreciate your interest in BCG and wish you every success in your future endeavors.
Kind regards,
The BCG NY Recruiting Team
does anyone have an example of a positive response from the recruiter?
ReplyDelete@Above, I got a slightly different letter from the NYC office. The last paragraph of mine read:
ReplyDelete"The team would like to encourage you to apply this fall for full-time positions. Each year, we hire a large number of full-time advanced degree candidates, and we remain very interested in getting to know you better. We will reach-out mid summer with additional details on our interview process, as well as to see if you have any questions on BCG - we hope you will consider applying for a position with BCG in the future.
If you have any questions in the meanwhile, please feel free to contact me."
Both of those were from the same NYC office? was one signed with a name of the specific recruiter (more personal?)
ReplyDelete@Above,
ReplyDeleteYes, there was a specific signature, email address and phone number, not just signed from the NYC metro recruiting team.
Got into Boston bridge.
ReplyDeleteQualifications:
Non ivy PhD
Ivy postdoc
Very high GPA
Leadership division 1 college football.
Hope to meet some of you there.
I'm in Boston with no response yet...I wonder if that's a bad thing :( I'm starting to be a little bit worried right now. Hopefully acceptances didn't come out and then they send rejections next. Was this the case for NYC?
ReplyDeletealso in boston..nothing yet :(
ReplyDeleteHMS Boston...did you get an email too? what did it say exactly? Thanks!!!!
ReplyDeleteCould people who got into B2BCG/Insight for both Boston and NYC please indicate whether they knew consultants at either firm beforehand, as in, did you establish connections with people in the firm who knew you would be applying? Many thanks!
ReplyDeleteI got into Insight Healthcare and yes, I did reach out a couple of consultants. I don't know whether they had anything to do with the admission process though. Still waiting to hear from B2BCG.
ReplyDelete@ Above, Thanks for sharing! I am trying to figure out the best way to connect with people at these firms since recruiters don't typically connect you to consultants in your area of interest. Any advice on how to build these connections? I appreciate any tips that people can offer.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone heard back about the Bridge from Chicago?
ReplyDeleteJust heard back that I didn't get into B2BCG Boston....Glad I have Insight atleast to look forward to! Curious if there are others who got into one program and not the other and ideas as to what each place was looking for?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like insight is a more selective program because it is a nationwide selection process where as BCG has workshops in a lot of major cities with a greater number of total invites.
ReplyDeleteThis might be an over simplification, but I would believe to be generally true.
I am sure that each firm is looking for specific cultural fit and that those require different things from each candidate.
Big fat no on the B2BCG for me. Good luck to those who were selected.
ReplyDeleteI agree with above I thought Insight was the more selective program because of the nationwide process. However, having been accepted for Insight I am really wondering where I went wrong with B2BCG...especially since it was based only on resumes.
ReplyDeleteMaybe because of the connections?
ReplyDeleteJust to add to that - how does one determine cultural fit from a resume?
ReplyDeleteThe B2BCG responses all seem to be for the NY or Boston. Has anyone heard from any of the other programs? I applied to the SF program, which has a later workshop date (July 29/30), so maybe they're contacting people even later?
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if anybody who does not have any connection & not attend any intro workshop get offer from insight/bridge?
ReplyDeleteno news from Chicago
ReplyDeleteI just heard that I got in to Chicago B2BCG. Was notified via email at around 6 PM Eastern time. I was also accepted to Insight Science and Engineering. I had no connections at either firm and did not attend an intro workshop.
ReplyDeleteQualifications:
Non-Ivy (but top public) PhD expected in 2011. Non-ivy (top public) undergrad. Excellent leadership/activities, GPA, test scores. Below average publication record.
To answer earlier question: acceptance to bridge was pretty generic. Thing that stood out the most was whole email was bcg green and yellow. Said more info to come.
ReplyDeleteGot email about 3 pm today.
Accepted by B2BCG Chicago, dinged by Insight S&E but invited for August interview. No connections. Top public PhD next year, great GPA, test scores, and publications. Average leadership or activities.
ReplyDeleteJust got invitation email from BCG SF, not selected for Insight. No business background but with very good academic credentials. No contacts. I'd also like to mention that from the email, it seems BCG has a waiting list for bridge2bcg, so those of you who haven't heard back yet, maybe you'll get good news later.
ReplyDeleteUgh, just got rejected from B2BCG SF, but I did get into McKinsey Insight Healthcare. The acceptance/rejection seems somewhat random, as neither company gave me specifics regarding why I was accepted or rejected. Reminds me of applying to grad school :)
ReplyDeleteGot an invite to B2BCG NY. Didn't get in to Insight S&E (made it to the phone interview, which I had prepared a lot for and I thought had went really well) but was invited to go directly to the August interview round.
ReplyDelete- Ivy PhD, Top 5 Public Univ. undergrad
- Good GRE scores, mediocre GPA (for GS)
- no real McKinsey or BCG contacts (I do have good friends at other mgmt consulting firms, though)
- average publications records
- excellent leadership record, incl. starting a non-profit and leading diff. student groups, etc.
Anyway, those are my two cents. I can't wait to meet others in NY!
Just got an email from B2BCG Boston, not invited...
ReplyDeleteI was not invited to Insight but they invited me to interview in August. Nothing specific about the dates or location, but they did send me a link to fill out(about location preferences) and asked me not to fill out another application. I have till June-15, to fill the form out. Anyone else on the same boat?
ReplyDeleteI am still waiting to hear back from BCG-SF. I am looking for others in the SF/Bay area to prep with, anyone?
-Canadian PhD
-Very good GRE scores and 4.0 GPA
-Strong publication record
-Leadership, very active in student politics
-Absolutely no buss exp.
Hi all. Like phal, I too have been with the university students union as a VP (elected position) for a couple years and managed a $100K budget. Does anyone know how such experience fares as a leadership trait? I have been involved in other activities where I can show leadership skills, but I got nothing else even remotely business related experience (apart from being a financial VP).
ReplyDeleteIn the phone interview with McK, the guy didnt pay any particular attn to my political exp, although he asked how I handled a situation, I couldnt make out if it is good or bad. I got called for B2BCG, so want to know if I should even bring it up ?
And how much does accent matter? I am from India and have lived in US for more than 10yrs now, but did manage to retain phonetic signatures for a few words. The McK interviewer himself had an accent much worse than mine, so not sure if it matters....
People who did not get selected for Insight, but got invited to interview in August, could you share when you received these invitations?
ReplyDeleteI got my invite for Aug interview in the same email in which I was turned down for Insight on 27th May.
ReplyDeleteDid anybody else not hear anything from Chicago? I'm sure this means rejection, but would have preferred an email.
ReplyDeleteI also applied to the Chicago Bridge to BCG program and have not heard back. ?
ReplyDeleteI think no news is good news at this point. NYC invitations have a deadline to respond next week, and the invitation clearly states that there is a wait-list.
ReplyDeleteJust received a rejection to the Chicago B2BCG though I was advised to apply for a fall full-time position.
ReplyDeleteGoodluck to everyone else.
People who got invites for the Aug interview at McK, could you share when in Aug this is happening? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteInvited to Bridge Boston last Friday, MD background, good luck everyone.
ReplyDeleteOops, those three anonymous B2BCG rejection comments were mine. Blogger kept giving me error messages that it couldn't post the comments, and they showed up all of a sudden. Weird!
ReplyDeleteMcK interview invitees for Aug who were Insight rejects, any idea what the interview format will be like...as in, will it be a first round interview (with the PST) or a direct second round interview?
ReplyDelete@ 5:09 anon
ReplyDeletePretty sure that all candidates start at the 1st round (PST + group cases). A colleague who was rejected for Insight 09 went to the 1st round for fall recruiting. In fact, a friend who was invited to and actually attended Insight 08 even had to start at the 1st round and take the PST.
How are people getting ready for the PST? The Kosher Franks question on the McK website is only a half-length test.
ReplyDeleteWhat is a 'PST'?
ReplyDeleteProblem Solving Test
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately was not invited to attend McK S&E; however, I was asked to interview for a full time position come August. August is going to be a busy, stressful month for me as I plan to take my prelims that month. I have heard that McK normal interview period doesn't begin until later in the fall. Is there any benefits to me taking the early interview (other than not having to reapply)?
ReplyDeleteThanks for any advice you have!
@ Above
ReplyDeleteNo real benefits, except that you would probably get to know if you were hired earlier in the year, I imagine. Chances are that you would be invited to interview if you reapplied in the fall as well. If you feel like you would do better later on, I wouldn't screw up my chances by interviewing earlier, if I were you.
@Anonymous 1:40pm...
ReplyDeleteout of curiosity, what sort of program are you in that you are taking prelims at the same time as thinking about a full-time position?
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