can you still get in to a MBBB firm with a 2.2?i have 30 UCAS points and a masters, all from decent unis.just messed up on my undergrad and wondering how i can fix this

No way I'm afraid. It is almost certain that a 2.2 won't get you in directly. But if you can get into a good industry company built up some experience then apply to consulting with your exp then you have a chance,depending on how sought after your skill is.

ahhh thats so annoying - i have always studies with the best and got the best grades - just slipped up in my undergrade - mind, you it was only a matter of 2% else i would have gotten a 2.1. its just annoying that this is going to cost me my career.i guess i can try investing some years at the Big 4 and then try to move to MBBB. i could try investment banking but dont really like the atmosphere

To be honest, I work at an MBB and there are relatively few people without 1sts (at least coming in at grad-level).

what about people higher than grads who joined as experienced hires...do they tend to be 1st's or 2.1's?I've noted that many senior people do not have degrees from the UK anyway, so how does that map in?

Look face it, you are not going to get in at 2.2 straigght into MBBB- NO WAY.However, a few years at shell plus MBA at top school should do it

whats good about shell?aren't i better off going to a big 4 for a few years?does the MBA have to be with a good uni? what about an MBA from the open university?

Look, what I would do (and this is a silly option in reality) is that go to a top multi national company like shell, bp, whatever then go do an MBA at a top school (and it needs to be top) then apply for assocaite position. the MBBB service big companies like bp and shell so would be interested in your knoledge and contacts.

Why the MBB focus? Why the desperation? Find a path which fits your background. Contorting yourself your career path in order to compensate for your desmond makes no sense. In fact, it makes less sense than Imanol Harinordoquy's moustache. Are you attempting to regain ground lost on the mythical elite?

make them an offer they can't refuse... offer to work for £5K less and use your social skills to dazzle them

Or realise that MBBB isn't everything, and you are just as/more likely to be happy excelling at another job.

"anob" - stop being a twerp.

well i do see myself on the same level as the elites - i have managed to get higher marks than almost everyone all my life, just messed up one assignment which cost me my 2.1.i guess i am trying to understant the rationale behind what would make a 2.1 person the same as me better at work.also, we are allowed a bit of fun at uni, which is the main cause of tutu's? at least its out of the system!

A friend of mine is in the same situation as you, except his problem is that he got a music degree. For whatever reason, he’s decided to move into finance, and though he got a first at Edinburgh (and even studied maths there for 1.5 years) he can’t get a job. I think he’s easily good enough, he gets to the final round of most of the jobs he applies for, but when they have the choice between 4 good applicants they’re always going to go for the safe option. Which means those with maths degrees or a 2:1 in your case. I guess the only option is to apply to a less prestigious company and excel there for a couple of years until people aren’t bothered about your degree.

Desmond, maybe in some way you were lucky. There's life out of MBB. You can see your children and get some sun. I understand that some people prefer the money and the power. Fine. You are unlikely to have the choice to get into an MBB in the future (and if you do, congrats). Still, a mark of wisdom is knowing how to enjoy life as it comes. I know many MBBs (and other "important" people) who dont really know how to do this. Try not to idealize MBB and approach the world with open eyes, you might find that you can excel at many different rewarding jobs.

my undergrad was in mathematical physics and i have a post grad in IT management. when i tell people the uni's i went to that i got straight A's at a-level i told i am MBBB material, but its that dredded 2.2 that messes things.i would definitely like to work in strat consulting as i am more of a thinker rather than 'follow the methodology and implement the system' type of person. i am confident that i can excel in a tier 2 type firm, so i may give that a shot with the hope of making it to a tier 1 firm one day...

if you're that good, join the best firm you can. specialise. become the best in your field. get snapped up by one of the MBB.

You have to work with what you've got.I have a friend with a PhD from Cambridge, and a stunning CV, who didn't get interviews based on his "average" A levels!Know one can change their grades now, just establish a strategy to get where you want to, and be realistic

The fact that you come accross as an idiot may work for or against you DesmondCalm down a little, take a reality check and critically assess yourself. You are probably 21, 22 your whole life is ahead of you and what you want and can achieve in 3 years time will be so different to now.

thanks.i am going to apply to accenture's grad scheme, they seem to be the best i can (potentially) get in to.

"Know one can change their grades now"know? KNOW? K.N.O.W? That's not a typo - there are 2 extra letters! What on earth are you on about?

I would certainly think a lot more about how you present yourself befoe any interviews. Your inflated ego may need to be toned down a little depending on the role

i have never been told i have an inflated ego before - i am just a bit repressed i guess everything i think of that 2%, but im getting over it.besides, i have been told i should act a bit stuck up in the accenture interviews as the best people their have that air of arrogance, which makes clients repect them as they appear to be in another league.

I assume you're applying to ATS rather than Accenture consulting? Because consulting requires a 2.1.

no, definitely consulting (not services or ATS) - the guy who told me at the stand said he had a 2.2 (and it was from Kingston Uni) and got in and said its ok, epecially with a masters.i would be shocked if accenture had a minimum requirement as a 2.1 - they didn't strike me as being one of those companies.

you're an idiot with an inexplicably inflated sense of yourself. You will fail.

To the last poster - you are obviously God.You should also look up the term 'irony' for obvious reasons.I wish you all the best.

Well their advertised requirement for the consulting grad programme is a 2.1, so I think you'll have a hard time persuading HR not to throw your application out.And trust me - looking stuck-up in your interview won't get you anywhere.

I think it's funny when you say you would consider working for a big4 or an IB because you can't get in to consulting with MBBB.You do realise that positions with these organisations require a 2:1 aswell?

2.2 and Masters = 2.1....well thats what i was told. 30 UCAS points at A-level is way more than the 26 points they ask for.I have spoken to enough people within Big 4 to confirm.Also, there are tons of tutus within the Big 4 - including memebers of my family!

I know a firm that would welcome you in with open arms with a desmond.Try www.cowboyconsultants.co.uk yyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

At the end of the day you'll find it much harder to get onto a graduate scheme with a 2:2 rather than a 2:1. At the initial application phase, applicants without at 2:1 are 99% of the time automatically ruled out when applying for grad positions with the well known firms.

but what about a 2.2 with a masters?

"Try www.cowboyconsultants.co.uk"I am - aka www.accenture.com

You are an embarrassment.

.....it must be love...

Acn doesn't even have partners...clearly posted by another tutu!

If you educated yourself, you would realize that ACN often goes to market with the word "partner" or "senior executive". Internally, while both are used, "senior executive" is the proper term.I know who you are Desmond.

Desmond,MBBB with a 2:2 is not going to happen. The only slight possibility is top level industry experience + brilliant GMAT scores + an MBA from INSEAD/LBS etc. but that is a long ball route. The other factor is this. A-Levels are important of course but ultimately you can get straight A's by working extremely hard but not being that talented. With a degree, if you were MBBB material in terms of intellect, you would have got at least a 2:1 even if you spent the whole time in a drunken stupour, did not turn up to any of your lectures and developed a coke habit while you were there. You should be honest with yourself, even if you got in, would you actually be able to cut it when you got there?For the record, I am not with an MBBB firm. I realised that, while I have plenty to offer, I am not the "type" to get in. I tried the GMAT's and case studies and realised that I was not going to be a credible candidate for that type of consulting. I have a good career (10 years in now) but did not go that route. No shame in that.

For the record, I'm with an MBBB firm and I have a 2:2.A switched on 17 year old could cut it with these guys. The work isn't particularly intellectually demanding, it's putting up with the lifestyle and having social skills to keep up with the competitive backstabbers that's the challenge.

Toot toot - I'd wager a fair amount that you're pretty much the only person in your office with a 2.2 though. Correct?It is extremely rare to get into these firms without a first or 2.1 from a top university - and it's giving hope to people who should be looking elsewhere to suggest it's realistic to get into these firms with a 2.2...

Bob - yes, as far as I know I'm the only one with a Desmond. Most have outstanding academics though not a lot of common sense if I'm honest about it - real 'nutty professor' types

ah geeks! stats pls:with/without partnerscan/cannot maintain eye contacthave/have not appeared on master mindhave/have not appeared on uni challengehave/have not been afflicted with "soft R2 syndrome"

what do you think it was about you that got you in with a 2.2?

I can sell ice to the eskimos and played on the 'leadership' angle which was my comparative advantage. I hounded them on the phone until they gave in! Persistence pays!

Toot TootDid you go in as a grad hire or experienced?Do you have a masters and/or good a-level results?I landed an interview with pwc and they did ask about the tutu. I was honest in saying that i thought it would be unfair for them to dismiss my on the basis of me missing a 2.1 by 2% in an academic record that has other wise been of a very high standard...but i am willing to accept there decision. the interviewer said that because i had a good masters from a top uni they were able to consider me as a 2.1 candidate.i did get the offer but it was in accounting and i dont want to do that.i would be interested to know which MBBB org and what level you got in at.

Desmond: You are an insufferable idiot. Face it dic*hea* you are NEVER getting inot an MBBB firm period. Face it pal and stop polluting this otherwise fine and insightful forum with your incessent and boring spiel about how you missed out on a 2.1 is the greatest tradegy since the elevation of Jade Goody to media iconMBBB will not be interested in you for atleast 5 years. I'm sure of it. There is no one on the profile page of their websites who has 2.2.Idiot.I bet if we have this conversation in 5 years time you'll still not be there.

the last poster obvioulsy got out of the wrong side of bed...or maybe just frustrated with his job. I bet you got a 2.1...and still incapable of landing yourself a job you're happy with. Trust me, I won't be in that position.take a chill pill...don't get sucked into the world of hatred by letting the vehicle of your frustration control you.

and the irony of your outbursting post being that you mention Jade Goody!! That's class!

Just stumbled into this debate - quite interestingFor info, I went to a university in Japan, Tokyo University got a UK equivalent of a 2.2 and applied to MBBB firms in the UK. I got interviews from Bain and Boston: went for Boston and got in. The thing you need to remember is that firms like this look for potential: maybe Desmond you don't have any. I suspect from the self-centred, plethora of trite that seeps from your proverbial mouth that this would not be an unreasonable assumption to make. People at Boston are generally very smart...I suspect there may be some irrevocable deficiencies in that area for youAnti-kho

Just had a look through BCG's website at http://www.bcg.com/our_expertise/experts_search_results.jspIs there anyone who works for that firm who ISN'T a "managing director"?Over-inflated job titles suck.

Anon, MD means you can take care of all the things you don't want to take care of. The more senior partners give this role to the new partners. I would at least.I am not from the UK, so could anybody tell me what 2.1 and 2.2 means in % or class percentile?I know MBB generally requires 'high distinction' in every year as a minimum. From what I read here, I guess 2.2 is distinction, 2.1 is high distinction and '1st' is highest distinction?

I found the info below myself in an other thread. To answer the OP; You will need 2.1 at the very least. I can not imagine any firm looking after 2.2s. Tip: Don&apos;t start explaining how you failed to get a 2.1 by &apos;only 2%&apos;, because even with that low 2.1 you are still very, very average.I hope you are very athletic or something. You will need it.Accoding to Tony:"1st = 2 - 5% of graduates2:1 = 55-60%2:2 = 30%3rd and normal degree = <10%Hence getting a 2.2 would mean you&apos;re likely to be in the bottom third of the class and it&apos;s for this reason that most firms insist on a 2.1 or above. Obviously a few strong candidates in any given year slip up and don&apos;t get a 2.1, but by and large having the 2.1 grade as an entry threshold sets a certain quality hurdle that the firms don&apos;t want to dip below.Hope this helps clear up the UK system "