Have to be cruel to be kind OP: you stand little chance as is of getting into MC, especially in the current environment. You can get there, but you'll need to think both longer term, and more laterally. Think of it as training to be an MC if it makes you feel better.BankingForget banking for now: it's even harder to get into than MC, but once the brain drain gets firmly underway, as the get rich now bonus schedmes will be dead and risk heavily curtailed, they'll be taking anyone who can add up and subtract and you'll be in - but you won't want to because it will no longer get you laid. Or rich.MCThink longer term. At present I suspect you have little real experience to bring to your CV, and show no real affinity with MC. Simply wanting to be one is not enough (or rarely is). Finishing your CIMA would be a start - this will give you something with which to move closer to your goal. Chances are you'll need to find yourself a position in an accounting firm first, get some experience, and then you could look to segue into more business orientated parts of the firm. It's then a hop into fs consulting firms, as the market will be stronger then, hiring will have returned, and you can get in on the qualified and some real business experience ticket.Lateral.Those application forms will make it impossible for you: if you leave any box blank you'll be screened out. So get thyself onto the internet and look for smaller consulting firms which which you could apply in the CV route. Remind yourself - and this is quite true - that after a few projects and a couple of years of experience - provided you don't prang the Partner's jag or make the mistake of losing a memory stick (sorry PAers) no one will care what A levels you took or didn't take. Frankly by that point you won't care either.Big 4 graduate schemeYou have an average degree (sorry but 1st or no, its in business and IT in a mid range uni - may as well be 'media studies' or 'theory of Eastenders - An Ontology of the appeal of The Beckhams), and no A levels. Average enough and you need to excel somewhere somehow in your professional life to compensate and scale the giddy heights: joining a Big 4 grad scheme is like saying 'I'm an Average/Auditor and PROUD'. You COULD - just a suggestion mind you - have a mind of your own and not swallow ALL the twaddle your careers adviser and the glossy brochures have fed you, and make you own mind up about what INTERESTS you and go find something to do in that, regardless of what profession it is, how well it is paid/not paid, or what the bragging rights are down the pub. No application form needed for some maturity and independent thinking needed.
