hiHaving applied for around 30 consultancies during my final year of a three year economics degree and got nowhere im a bit at a loss for what to do. Having got a 2:2 in my second year i did not apply for the big 4 as they ask for grades on application forms and I would be out the door straight away. Im working hard at the moment to get a high 2:1 this year and get a 2:1 overall. Ive applied for a management MA at one of the top Business schools but I wonder if the £12,000 in fees and accomodation is worthwhile, i would only get onto the MA with a 2:1 but if i get a 2:1 why not take the summer out and apply over the summer and on the next milkround. Having been interested in consultancy for about 3 years I realise if I miss the 2:1 then im out so what would people suggest if I got a 2:2? Any graduate industry management schemes keen on economics gradutes who really messed up 2nd year!thanksfor any advice

Getting the 2:1 then waiting for the next cycle would make a lot of sense.Also, with respect, 30 applications is a lot if you're being discerning. Have you genuinely carried out detailed research on each of the firms and felt that you passionately wanted to work there? It could be that over the past three years you've become fixated with consulting and are now desperate to get 'in' rather than considering what attracted you in the first place.Best of luck

Yes 30 does sound alot, it is mainly down to the fact the first 15 were mostly strategy houses and i was aiming probably unrealisticly. the second round of 15 were a more realistic bunch of business change and technology focused businesses. I do take your point about maybe not fully researching and passionatly wanting to work at everywhere I applied, but my (limited) experiance is that if you get to interview then you have a much better chance of judging the suitability of the firm.

Sometimes it's best to be harsh to be kind.Firstly, pull yourself together. Revise hard, knock off your finals, get your 2.1. End of, no ifs, no buts.As for doing an MA in management - it's a mute point. Yes, it will add value; no, it probably won't add £20k in value (which is invariably what fees + living costs would entail, and that is a conservative figure). It's open to debate as to whether it'll get you any more interviews than if you just possessed the undergrad.Thirdly - seeing as though you're taking the summer out, obtaining experience unpaid may well be your only option. Yes, it's rubbish, you work and get paid £0, but experience is experience at the end of the day and it will help bolster your CV. I'd target any firms that are local (if possible) so at least that way you're not screwed over with living costs.In the case you do get a 2.2.... There are lots of schemes that accept people with a 2.2 so you're not totally screwed should the proverbial hit the fan. However, be aware that they may not be management schemes.Also, when applying to firms next year, as you've found out this year, the scattergun approach doesn't work. Pick 5-10 firms, do some proper research and you'll be surprised what a difference it makes.On a side note - where are you doing your undergrad/proposed MA at?

hithanks for the advice everyone, undergrad and MA i applied for at Durham, ( may have been pushing it to say they are top) does DBS have any sort of good reputation in business?

Seriously mate, it’s not all over at all. Obviously the most important thing is to get a 2:1 as most places have that as a cut off; but when that’s done you’ll be fine. There’s no need to get unpaid work (unless you can get it at a top MC firm), get a job as an analyst somewhere well known. You’ll get paid and a year’s experience which will put you above the other grads. I did the same thing, I was too lazy in my final year and didn’t apply in time, and I ended up working for Experian building scorecards. Well easy to get in (the test involved pulling numbers out of a table) and I used that to get a job with Deloitte a year later.

Anonetta is right on the mark Anon, and Nail/Head makes a good point - define to yourself what it is about MC which makes it attractive anyway. If this is strong enough you won't mind waiting for the next cycle, or even a year with a corporate as Anonetta suggested, to get in.

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