Hi all,I'm in the process of changing to a business management major at undergrad level.I have extremely unimpressive/bad grades from my previous degree, and it is my understanding that my current uni shows all marks from my previous and now new degree on the transcript.I would like to get into management consulting (MBB).Would they reject me due to my grades in my previous degree?Also, in your opinion, would it be good to repeat two courses simply to boost up one's gpa? I did these two courses in my previous degree, where i got "6s" (D). the full mark is a "7." (HD)Thank you

Yes MBB will reject you. They will ask to see ALL your academic transcripts, including any retakes.I think you misunderstand what you think you want to apply for. If you are struggling at undergrad level you will not [i]want[/i] to join an MBB type firm. The expectations of intellect, performance etc are very high.

what if the poor performance was due to health reasons and general lack of interest in the subjects?

They'd question your decision making (on the 2nd point) and reject you

so if i was able to spin a story and exaggerate my health condition...? :( even if i have close to a gpa 4.0 and research creds on my current degree? would mbb go through the transcripts or just look at the gpa on resume?

Sounds like you're going to try regardless, and to be honest, I can't blame you.Get your CV in and see what they say.. But don't pin your hopes on a positive answer.

tom he is aspiring to a career which - given his academic performance not to mention lack of judgement - can only lead, should he be successful, to a life of constant, crippling, performance anxiety.

thanks guys, it's just something i really, really want to do. performance anxiety as in the normal sense of the word? i'm pretty ok at performances (i was a national comp violinist winner, sought funding for my startup, etc) not trying to boost, because i think lots of people have much better creds than i do. but just wanted to clarify what you meant thanks guys, in the end of the day if things don't work out, i'll just try my best and have only myself to blame. :S

Agreed Mars, however, it's Friday afternoon and I had a glimpse of the sun and didn't have it in me to pull the poor lad to bits.

Hmmm, I'm no expert on MBB but considering they take straight A boys and girls who were also the captain of x and y at Uni while volunteering at organisation z and also setting up from scratch working group q (plus doing a and b in their spare time), I would start looking at more realistic options.However, never say never so apply away but once you get your response (if they actually bother to reply due to the understandable huge number of applicants), you have backup choices.As to your "lack of interest" meaning you got bad grades for certain subjects, jeez, do you truly believe everything MBB do is super exciting and interesting!?! All of us have to perform well no matter how zzzzzzzzz the work is for our clients. I can see your MBB interview going one way only at the moment (though no doubt mars will correct me on the ability of getting you to this stage)Don't be disheartened, there are plenty of other companies you can try and join

[quote]do you truly believe everything MBB do is super exciting and interesting!?! All of us have to perform well no matter how zzzzzzzzz the work is for our clients.[/quote]My entire belief system has just been catastrophically, nay, fatally, injured. With this level of philosophical distress I doubt I can go on. Much more. Little bit. Flagging.(slams door. Angry footsteps in Mars towers)

Confused7,Given your current profile, management consulting is still possible; a shot at MBB however is unrealistic.You have to understand that for MBB undergraduate recruiting, the bar is extremely high and there are waves of candidates that have all the boxes checked. Spinning your story about previous poor grades due to an illness is not going to work. They will sniff you out.What's more, your "general lack of interest in the subjects" argument will raise many red flags. In consulting, you will be staffed on many cases that differ in the role you play on the team and subject matter you're focused on. Sometimes the work is intellectually stimulating, and other times it is less so. You are expected to bring your "A" game each time and over-deliver -- no matter the hand you are dealt by staffing. Your inability to make your grades work because you didn't have an interest in the subject will send the message that this is what can be expected on a case. End of interview. This applies to all management consulting firms for that matter.In short, apply to MBB but don't expect much. In parallel, cast your net wider to other firms to increase the probability of getting an interview.

In summary:1) MBB highly unlikely, too many red flags2) 2nd tier firms, LEK, ATK, Booz etc the same applies - these firms are just as stringent, but often have fewer places, meaning your numerical chances are even smaller3) Nevertheless, apply to them all and see what happens - there are exceptions to every rule4)'Don't be disheartened - there are many many ways to build a successful career and, to be honest, most of the alternatives are better than consulting anyway...5) Have plans B,C,D ready - grad schemes etc. if this ends up being your path, then do it well and re consider your options in a few years - you'll be a better candidate after a few years of blue chip experience and an MBA. But by then you may have seen the light and have no interest in consulting anyway...Good luck

looking at the reply from everyone, it's kind of a reality check. i'll try my best.

i'm curious why ppl say consulting is not such a good job though?

>i'm curious why ppl say consulting is not such a good job though?Consulting can be a "good job" and provide better experience at the start of a career which will help you deliver in an industry role. However most people do not make a career of it because industry is:* less hours* more pay and bigger bonus* less stress* more choice of projects* more freedom to do things your way* better career development* more friendlyFor me this is an easy decision. Perhaps someone else can say why they choose to stay in consulting?

SO the question would be at what point should someone move from Consulting to Industry..I personally feel its at the time when you hit that Senior Manager grade in consulting...

Thanks guys, useful info.