A summer associate usually works as part of a live case team and is expected to contribute to real analysis, problem solving and client deliverables.

Your week may include team problem-solving sessions, data analysis, slide development, expert or client calls, internal reviews and social or office events. Travel depends on the project and current firm norms.

Compared with a full-time post-MBA consultant, interns usually receive more structured support and check-ins, but they are still evaluated on how they operate in the team.

Expect the summer to combine learning and assessment. The exact experience can differ sharply by project, so ask recent interns from your target office what their weeks actually looked like. For more detail, see the management consulting overview.

My internship felt like a real project with more feedback and social events layered on top.