Breaking Into Consulting from a Non-Target School: 6 Proven Tips

Embarking on a consulting career is a common aspiration among students and professionals. However, if you attend a non-target school, institutions that consulting firms don't actively recruit from, you might feel at a disadvantage. The good news is that breaking into the consulting industry from a non-target school is entirely possible with the right strategies and determination.

In this article, we will explore practical tips to help you navigate the consulting recruitment landscape effectively, even if your school isn't on the typical recruiting list.

Understanding Target vs. Non-Target Schools

Consulting firms often categorize universities into "target" and "non-target" schools based on their recruiting strategies. Target schools are those where firms actively conduct on-campus recruiting, information sessions, and interviews. These institutions are typically selected due to their historical performance, alumni presence, and perceived prestige.

On the other hand, non-target schools are those where consulting firms do not have a structured recruiting process. This doesn't mean they don't hire from these schools; rather, candidates may need to be more proactive in getting noticed.

Understanding this distinction is crucial as it informs the approach you need to take in your consulting career journey.

Building a Strong Academic and Extracurricular Profile

If you're coming from a non-target school, your academic and extracurricular achievements can set you apart from the competition. Consulting firms prioritize candidates with strong problem-solving abilities, leadership experience, and analytical skills, all of which can be demonstrated through your coursework and extracurricular involvement.

Prioritizing Academic Excellence

• Maintain a high GPA: Consulting firms, especially top-tier ones like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, often have GPA cutoffs (typically 3.5+ in the U.S.). A strong GPA signals intellectual rigor and discipline.
• Take quantitative courses: Courses in economics, statistics, finance, or data analysis can showcase your analytical ability, a critical skill in consulting.
• Pursue relevant certifications: If your school doesn’t offer many consulting-related courses, consider online certifications in business strategy, financial modeling, or data analytics (e.g., Coursera, edX, or LinkedIn Learning).

 

Strategic Extracurricular Involvement

Since consulting firms look for well-rounded individuals, your extracurricular activities should demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• Join a consulting or business club: Many schools, even non-target ones, have business-related student organizations. If yours doesn’t, consider starting one to showcase initiative and leadership.
• Compete in case competitions: Events like the Harvard Global Case Competition or Deloitte’s Case Competition provide hands-on consulting experience and networking opportunities.
• Take on leadership roles: Whether in student government, sports teams, or volunteer organizations, leadership roles indicate the ability to manage teams and drive results, qualities consulting firms value.

Internships and Research Experience

Work experience, even outside of consulting, can strengthen your application.

• Secure relevant internships: Even if you can’t land a consulting internship right away, roles in finance, data analysis, or project management can build transferable skills.
• Work with professors on research projects: If your school lacks strong recruiting ties with consulting firms, academic research in economics, business, or analytics can showcase your problem-solving skills.

A strong academic record combined with meaningful extracurricular activities can help position you as a competitive candidate, even without a traditional consulting background. The next step? Leveraging networking to get your foot in the door.

Gaining Relevant Experience

Breaking into consulting from a non-target school requires more than just strong academics, you need to demonstrate real-world problem-solving, analytical skills, and business acumen. Since top consulting firms favor candidates with relevant experience, strategically building your résumé with internships, projects, and leadership roles can give you an edge.

Securing Internships That Develop Transferable Skills

Landing a consulting internship from a non-target school can be challenging, but there are alternative paths to gaining relevant experience:

• Boutique or regional consulting firms: These firms often have less competitive application pools than MBB (McKinsey, BCG, Bain) but provide hands-on experience in problem-solving and client interactions.
• Big 4 consulting divisions (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG): Their advisory and strategy teams offer consulting-like experience with strong brand recognition.
• Corporate strategy roles: Many companies have internal strategy teams that work similarly to consulting teams, analyzing business problems and recommending solutions.
• Financial or analytical internships: Investment banking, private equity, or market research roles develop the quantitative and problem-solving skills that consultants need.
• Startups and nonprofits: Working in a fast-paced startup or helping a non-profit solve strategic problems can provide experience in business strategy and operations.

If securing a formal internship is difficult, consider freelance consulting through platforms like Upwork or case competitions to demonstrate real-world application of consulting skills.

Building a Consulting-Like Skill Set Through Projects

If you lack traditional consulting internships, independent or school-led projects can showcase your ability to analyze business problems and deliver solutions.

• Case competitions: Participating in competitions from firms like Bain, Deloitte, or Accenture can simulate real consulting work and help build problem-solving skills.
• Data-driven projects: Learning tools like SQL, Excel, and Tableau and working on business analytics projects can make your application more attractive.
• Academic research: If your school has strong faculty in business or economics, assisting professors with research can help demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills.

Developing Industry-Specific Knowledge

Consulting firms value candidates who can quickly understand and analyze different industries. Gaining exposure to industries like healthcare, technology, or finance can make you a more competitive applicant.

• Follow industry news: Read publications like the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, and consulting firm blogs to stay informed.
• Take relevant online courses: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer courses in management consulting, financial modeling, and strategic thinking.
• Network with industry professionals: Conduct informational interviews with consultants to learn about different sectors and refine your understanding of consulting work.

By gaining relevant experience through internships, projects, and industry exposure, you can develop the skills consulting firms look for, even without a direct path from a target school. The next crucial step? Networking effectively to land interviews.

Crafting an Outstanding Application

Your application is your first opportunity to make an impression on consulting firms. Since non-target school candidates often don’t have a built-in recruitment pipeline, you must ensure your résumé and cover letter stand out. Consulting firms look for problem-solving skills, leadership, and a structured thought process, so your application must reflect these qualities clearly and concisely.

Optimizing Your Consulting Résumé

A consulting resume differs from a standard corporate resume in its structure and content. It should be one page and focus on impact, problem-solving ability, and leadership.

Key Sections of a Strong Consulting Resume:

• Education: Highlight your GPA (if competitive), key coursework, and any honors or leadership roles. If you took relevant coursework in analytics, strategy, or finance, mention it.
• Work Experience: Prioritize impact-driven bullet points that emphasize problem-solving, leadership, and quantitative analysis. Use the “action verb + skill + result” formula to frame your experiences.
  • Example: “Developed a market entry strategy for a startup, increasing projected revenue by 25%.”
• Leadership & Extracurriculars: Consulting firms value leadership, so highlight roles in clubs, case competitions, student consulting organizations, or sports teams.
• Technical & Analytical Skills: Mention tools like Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, Tableau, or Python if relevant to problem-solving and data analysis.

Writing a Persuasive Cover Letter

While some firms have moved away from requiring cover letters, a compelling one can still help differentiate you, especially if you're from a non-target school.

Structure of a Strong Consulting Cover Letter:

1. Engaging Opening: Start with a strong hook, perhaps a unique experience that sparked your interest in consulting.
2. Why Consulting? Clearly articulate what draws you to consulting (e.g., problem-solving, fast-paced environment, exposure to various industries).
3. Why This Firm? Demonstrate knowledge of the firm’s values, culture, and recent projects. Personalize this section based on research.
4. Why You? Highlight 2 to 3 key experiences that showcase problem-solving, leadership, and analytical skills.
5. Strong Closing: Express enthusiasm, a call to action, and gratitude.

Tailoring Your Application for Each Firm

While it’s tempting to use the same resume and cover letter for multiple applications, tailoring your materials for each firm increases your chances. Here’s how:

• Research the firm’s values and recent projects and align your experiences with them.
• Mention firm-specific consulting methodologies or initiatives (e.g., McKinsey’s problem-solving approach, Bain’s focus on private equity).
• If you’ve networked with consultants from the firm, reference those conversations to show genuine interest.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Resume overload: Keep it concise, consultants scan applications quickly.
• Generic cover letters: Avoid vague statements and demonstrate firm-specific research.
• Neglecting leadership and impact: Consulting firms look for leaders who drive change.
• Ignoring formatting and clarity: Use a clean, professional format. Bullet points should be easy to scan.

Networking Strategically

Breaking into consulting from a non-target school requires more than just a strong application, you need to get noticed. Since consulting firms prioritize candidates from target schools through formal recruitment pipelines, networking strategically can bridge the gap. A well-structured networking approach can increase your chances of securing interviews, gaining insider knowledge, and even receiving referrals.

Why Networking Matters in Consulting Recruitment

Many consulting firms use employee referrals to fast-track candidates. Networking helps you:

• Gain insider information on the firm’s hiring process and culture.
• Secure a referral that can push your application to the top of the pile.
• Improve your case interview skills through direct conversations with consultants.
• Learn about off-cycle or unadvertised opportunities that aren’t widely promoted.

Who to Network With?

To build valuable connections, focus on:

1. Alumni from Your School – Use LinkedIn and your university’s career services to find alumni in consulting.
2. Current and Former Consultants – Employees at target firms can provide direct insights and potential referrals.
3. Recruiters – While they may not directly refer you, they can guide you on application timelines and expectations.

How to Reach Out Effectively

A cold email or LinkedIn message should be short, personalized, and professional.

Example Networking Message:

"Hi [Consultant’s Name],
  I came across your profile while researching [Firm’s Name] and noticed your transition from [Your School or Similar Background] into consulting. As a [Your Current Status, e.g., final-year student at X], I’m very interested in learning about your experience and any advice you’d have for someone from a non-target school. If you have 15 minutes, I’d love to connect over a quick call. Looking forward to your thoughts!"*

Best Networking Strategies

• Start Early – Building relationships takes time. Reach out at least three to six months before applications open.
• Attend Firm Events – Many firms host virtual or in-person networking events. Engage and ask insightful questions.
• Use a Warm Introduction – If possible, get a mutual connection to introduce you.
• Follow Up Professionally – If a consultant agrees to a call, send a thank-you email and keep them updated on your progress.

Leveraging Informational Interviews

An informational interview isn’t about directly asking for a job, it’s about gathering insights and leaving a strong impression.

What to Ask in an Informational Interview:

• What made you choose [Firm’s Name] over others?
• What skills do you think non-target candidates should highlight to stand out?
• How did you prepare for case interviews?
• Would you be open to reviewing my resume or referring me if you think I’d be a good fit? 

Avoid These Networking Mistakes

• Mass Messaging – Sending generic LinkedIn messages rarely works. Personalization is key.
• Being Too Pushy – Don't ask for a referral right away. Build rapport first.
• Not Following Up – If someone helps you, update them on your progress to keep the relationship alive.
• Neglecting Firm-Sponsored Events – These provide direct access to recruiters and consultants.

Strategic networking can significantly improve your odds of getting an interview. Once you secure one, the next step is to prepare rigorously for the consulting interview process, which we’ll explore next.

Preparing Thoroughly for Interviews

Landing a consulting interview is a major milestone, but excelling in the interview process is what ultimately secures the offer. Consulting interviews are unique, they test problem-solving ability, structured thinking, and communication skills through both case interviews and fit (behavioral) interviews. A thorough, strategic approach to preparation is essential, especially for candidates from non-target schools who may not have access to structured recruiting resources.

Understanding the Consulting Interview Structure

Consulting interviews typically consist of:

1. Case Interviews – Problem-solving exercises where candidates analyze a business scenario, break it down logically, and propose solutions.
2. Fit (Behavioral) Interviews – Evaluating leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through personal experience-based questions.

Most firms conduct two to three rounds of interviews, often with increasingly senior consultants or partners.

How to Excel in Case Interviews

Master Business Fundamentals

Even if you don’t have a business background, you’ll need to understand core concepts:

• Profitability analysis (revenue, cost structures, pricing)
• Market entry and expansion strategies
• Mergers & acquisitions basics
• Supply chain optimization
• Competitive dynamics and market sizing

Develop a Structured Problem-Solving Approach

Firms look for candidates who can break down complex problems logically. The MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) principle ensures a structured approach.

A typical framework for case interviews includes:

1. Clarify the Problem – Ask follow-up questions to ensure you understand the case details.
2. Break It Down – Use frameworks like market entry, profitability, or supply chain analysis.
3. Analyze with Data – Make logical assumptions if data isn’t provided.
4. Synthesize Your Findings – Conclude with a clear recommendation and rationale.

Practice Cases Extensively

Case interviews require practice, lots of it. Aim to complete 30-50 cases before your interview.

• Self-Practice – Read cases and verbalize your solutions out loud.
• Mock Interviews – Conduct timed sessions with alumni or consultants for real feedback.

How to Ace Fit (Behavioral) Interviews

Consulting firms value problem-solving ability, but they also assess leadership, teamwork, and adaptability through behavioral questions.

Use the STAR Method

For each answer, structure your response using:

• Situation – Provide context.
• Task – Explain your role.
• Action – Describe what you did.
• Result – Share the outcome and impact.

Common Fit Interview Questions

• Tell me about a time you led a team under pressure.
• Describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem.
• When have you had to persuade someone to see things your way?
• Why consulting? Why our firm?

Simulating Real Interview Conditions

• Practice under pressure – Time yourself to build confidence.
• Speak concisely – Consultants value clear, structured communication.
• Get feedback – Record your answers and refine based on input.

Final Steps Before the Interview

• Research the firm’s case interview style (McKinsey uses interviewer-led, while BCG and Bain favor candidate-led).
• Prepare insightful questions for interviewers to show genuine interest.
• Review recent business news, consultants expect commercial awareness.

Leveraging Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Many top consulting firms actively seek to diversify their talent pool by offering specialized diversity and inclusion (D&I) initiatives. These programs are designed to support candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, including those from non-target schools, by providing mentorship, networking opportunities, and early access to recruitment pipelines. If you qualify for these programs, they can significantly enhance your chances of securing a consulting role.

Why Consulting Firms Invest in Diversity Initiatives

Leading firms like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and PwC recognize that diverse teams drive better problem-solving and innovation. As a result, they invest heavily in recruiting candidates from various backgrounds, including:

• First-generation college students
• Students from non-traditional academic disciplines
• Underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
• Women in consulting
• LGBTQ+ candidates
• Veterans

Key Diversity Programs to Explore

Many firms offer diversity-focused workshops, mentorship programs, and scholarships that provide an inside track into consulting. Some of the most notable programs include:

McKinsey & Company

• McKinsey’s Diversity & Inclusion Networks – Focused on supporting women, LGBTQ+ professionals, and underrepresented minorities.
• McKinsey's Sophomore Diversity Leaders Internship (SDLI) – Early exposure to consulting for second-year undergraduate students.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

• BCG Bridge to Consulting – A program tailored for first-generation college students and students from diverse backgrounds.
• BCG Unlock – A multi-day immersive program for Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students.

Bain & Company

• Bain ADvantage – A program designed for advanced degree candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.
• Bain BEL (Building Entrepreneurial Leaders) – A highly competitive pre-internship program for Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American students.

Other Notable Programs

• Deloitte’s Leadership, Allyship & Mentorship Program (DLAMP) – Focuses on women and underrepresented minorities in consulting.
• PwC’s Start Internship – Targets students from diverse backgrounds and non-traditional academic paths.

How to Maximize These Opportunities

1. Research and Apply Early

Most diversity programs have early application deadlines, sometimes months before standard recruiting timelines. Start researching programs as early as your sophomore or junior year to ensure you don’t miss key opportunities.

2. Leverage Mentorship and Networking

Many of these initiatives offer access to mentors within the firm, giving you an inside perspective on consulting culture and expectations. Build strong relationships with mentors and program alumni, they can serve as valuable advocates when you apply.

3. Highlight Your Unique Background

When applying for these programs, emphasize:

• How your background and experiences contribute to diversity in consulting.
• Any leadership roles or challenges you’ve overcome as a non-traditional candidate.
• Your interest in consulting and how the program aligns with your career goals.

4. Use Programs as a Springboard for Recruiting

Participation in a diversity initiative often leads to internship or full-time job opportunities. Many firms use these programs to identify high-potential candidates before the formal recruitment cycle begins.

Final Thoughts

Breaking into consulting from a non-target school is challenging, but it is entirely possible with the right strategy. By building a strong academic and extracurricular profile, gaining relevant experience, crafting an outstanding application, networking strategically, preparing thoroughly for interviews, and leveraging diversity initiatives, you can position yourself as a competitive candidate.

The key is to be proactive and intentional, start early, seek mentorship, and take advantage of every available opportunity. Many successful consultants have navigated this path from non-traditional backgrounds, proving that where you start does not define where you end up.

Ultimately, consulting firms value problem-solvers, strong communicators, and analytical thinkers, qualities that can be demonstrated regardless of where you studied. If you stay persistent, continuously improve, and refine your approach based on feedback, you can successfully land a consulting role and thrive in this dynamic industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does McKinsey hire from Non-Target?
A: Yes, McKinsey does hire from non-target schools, though competition is tougher. Breaking into consulting from a non-target school usually requires strong networking, case interview preparation, and standout resumes to succeed in consulting recruitment.

Q: How difficult is it to get hired at McKinsey?
A: It is very difficult to get hired at McKinsey due to its rigorous consulting recruitment process and low acceptance rates. Candidates from non-target school consulting backgrounds can succeed with strong case interview preparation, networking, and tailored applications.

Q: Is 30 too old to get into consulting?
A: No, 30 is not too old to get into consulting. Many consulting firms hiring experienced professionals value transferable skills, making management consulting jobs accessible at different career stages.

Q: Is consulting a good fit for introverts?
A: Consulting can be a good fit for introverts, especially in roles that value analytical skills, research, and structured problem-solving. Networking for job referrals and communication training can help introverts thrive in a consulting career path.

Q: Why do so many people quit consulting?
A: Many people quit consulting because of long hours, frequent travel, and demanding client work. While strategy consulting firms offer strong training and exit opportunities, lifestyle trade-offs lead some professionals to pursue other management consulting jobs.