I graduated in July of last year (2012) with a 1st in physics from a good UK university. I have a load of extra curricular (leadership positions), music, volunteer work etc.I am currently taking a gap year. Where for the first 6 months I am working for Rolls Royce as an intern and the last 6 month I intend to go travelling.I want to work at one of the top 4 however most of the deadlines have gone for the September 2013 start (hadn't really thought of consultancy until recently).What would my best option be? -I've heard a PhD in physics is well respected- should I go do a PhD now and apply after that? -Or should I apply for Deloitte now? Get an MBA and apply after that? But I've heard they only recruit from certin schools (which are probably even harder to get in than the top 4).-Or should get a job in industry for X years- if so which companies would be best?I basically want to chose my entry point so I maximise my chances of getting into one of the top 4.Would appreciate some advice! :D

Stay away from Phds as they pretty often have negative connotations, recruiters might assume you are an academic geek that won't function in a real environment. Also a Phd is at the very least a 3 year commitment after which they might still ask you to start as a graduate anyway.The fact that you think about an MBA is just entertaining, you'd get basically 0 out of it without some solid work experience.I'm surprised the Big4 deadlines have all finished already, a couple of years ago they were recruiting people as late as June/July at times (for the least attractive practices of consulting, though).

When I say MBA, I obviously mean after 3-5years of work experience first. Any ideas for companies/roles which might be best for an LSB MBA would be of interest to me.

[quote]The fact that you think about an MBA is just entertaining, you'd get basically 0 out of it without some solid work experience.[/quote]The fact that you would even contemplate doing an MBA to get into Big 4 is frankly depressing.You need to be looking at roles which would suit your skills so look at the risk practices of the Big 4 (unlikely to be full already) or a finance grad scheme which would offer you something practical like ACA to go with your (very strong) degree and round out your experience. After that you will find Big 4 will be pursuing you, not the other way around.

[i]"The fact that you would even contemplate doing an MBA to get into Big 4 is frankly depressing."[/i]has it come to this lolhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTS6INVmZGI

Your point about specific pratices is interesting.Regarding MBAs, do you mean it that is harder to get into the big 4 after a MBA than straight out of university (assuming you've done the MBA after 5 years work experience)?

[quote]Your point about specific pratices is interesting.Regarding MBAs, do you mean it that is harder to get into the big 4 after a MBA than straight out of university (assuming you've done the MBA after 5 years work experience)?[/quote]It means that doing an MBA for Big4 would be one of the worst uses of money ever.

To reiterate I was asking: what career route to take to "maximise my chances of getting into one of the top 4".

Just go ahead and apply. You sound qualified as-is, and all the options educational options you are considering are unnecessary.If you really have missed the deadlines and they won't take your application, go get a job, volunteer, whatever for the next few months and then apply.

And Kaito you really need to look harder at Big 4 - not all the practices fill up at the same rate so there are likely to be places you could get in. But if you are looking at Big 4, look also at all the other big consulting firms - as a grad your experience with any of them will be similar.

Hi Kaito, Firstly, can you clarify which consulting firms you are targeting when you say 'Top 4'?I initially thought you meant McKinsey, Boston, Bain (known as MBB), but responses to your post seem to have interpreted it as the Big 4 - PWC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY (sometimes accenture included in this group). Assuming you mean MBB, then I agree that your best bet is to apply in the next round following your Rolls Royce placement. Take the time to research which area of consulting you want to be in and get some good experiences to take to interview. If you don't get MBB you could end up at a tier 2 firm which would be a great achievement. Then, after a few years you could consider an MBA and try for MBB through that route.Although, you might find that after 3-5 years experience, a decent career at a tier 2 firm...you find you have better things to spend £50k+ on.Good luck!

Yes sorry I do mean Mckinsey Bain and BCG! Do MBB recruit from just specific business schools or could I still with one which isn't from LBS / Harvard etc?Since the next start dates (if I have missed this graduate round) will be 2014 at the earliest, what experiences would you recommend I do in the mean time?Should I start a full time job at Rolls Royce in the mean time- however I read somewhere that MBB prefer graduates with minimal work experiences so you're a clean slate so to speak?Thanks for your advice!