How to land a Big 3 consulting internship

Dreaming of McKinsey, Bain, or BCG? You’re not alone. Consulting internships are some of the most competitive—and rewarding—early career roles out there. Whether you're majoring in business, engineering, or even psychology, this guide is your step-by-step playbook to stand out and land an offer

Breaking into consulting isn't just for business majors. If you're a student looking to land a consulting internship, you're entering one of the most competitive (and rewarding) fields out there. But with the right strategy, you can absolutely stand out.

We’ll break down everything from application deadlines and resume tips to case interview prep and insider strategies that go beyond what you’ll hear at campus info sessions. No elite network required—just smart moves and the right experience.

Why Consulting Roles Are So Coveted

Many students dream of consulting—and for good reason. It’s one of the few industries that combines:

• High compensation: Interns at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG earn between $21,000–$22,500 for a 10-week internship. For full-time roles, entry-level consultants can expect base offers in the $110k–$112k range, with total cash (salary + bonus) reaching up to ~$170k.
  
  
• Global travel opportunities: Projects often span different cities or countries. Even intern roles at firms like Huron include travel perks—airline miles, hotel nights, and career exposure.

• Rapid growth & exit options: After just 2–3 years, consultants often move into roles in tech, finance, or leadership with a significant bump in lifestyle and salary.
  

In short: the pay is great, the experience is unmatched, and the exit opportunities are next-level.

🏆 5 Top Consulting Firms in the U.S. (and Their Internship Deadlines)

1. McKinsey & Company
Summer Business Analyst Intern (Undergraduate & Master's):

• Internship: ~10–12 weeks, typically starting in late May or early June
  
  
• Locations: U.S. offices and select global offices
  
  
• Who Can Apply: Undergraduate (junior year) and master’s students with no prior full-time work experience
  
  
• Application Timing: Early applications are encouraged. The main application deadline is July 17, 2025 for Summer 2026 roles.
  

2. Bain & Company
Associate Consultant Intern (Undergraduate & Master's):

• Internship: ~10 weeks, typically starting in early June
  
  
• Locations: U.S. and select international offices
  
  
• Who Can Apply: Undergraduate (junior year), master’s students, and some dual-degree candidates
  
  
• Application Timing: Apply early. Main deadlines are July 6, 2025 (early deadline) and September 2, 2025 (final deadline) for Summer 2026 start dates.
  

3. Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Visiting Associate Internship (Undergraduate & Master's):

• Internship: ~6–8 weeks, typically starting between May and August (varies slightly by office)
  
  
• Locations: Available globally, including offices like Copenhagen, Denmark
  
  
• Who Can Apply: Final-year undergraduates, master’s students, and select MBA candidates
  
  
• Application Timing: Positions open on a rolling basis; it's strongly recommended to apply early in the academic year (August to October) for summer roles, as spots can fill quickly.

4. BNP Paribas
Summer Analyst Intern – Internal Consulting (Undergraduate & Master's):

• Internship: ~10 weeks, Summer 2026 (Jun–Aug)
  
  
• Locations: Jersey City, NJ (also New York City)
  
  
• Who Can Apply: Undergraduate juniors/seniors, master's students graduating between Winter 2026–Spring 2027
  
  
• Application Timing: Recruitment opened early 2025 (March 12) and the posting runs through September 15, 2025

5. Protiviti
Summer Intern – Technology & Business Consulting (Undergraduate & Master's):

• Internship: ~8 weeks, typically running June through August
  
  
• Locations: Multiple U.S. offices (including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and San Francisco)
  
  
• Who Can Apply: Undergraduate and master’s students ~6–12 months from graduation, studying business, technology, or related fields

• Application Timing: Applications are open on a rolling basis—early applications are encouraged for Summer 2026 roles
  

🔍 Understand What Consulting Firms Are Looking For

When it comes to landing a consulting internship, it’s not just about having a 4.0 GPA or the “perfect” major. In fact, consulting firms intentionally hire students from a wide range of academic backgrounds—including business, economics, engineering, computer science, political science, and even liberal arts. What matters most is whether you demonstrate the key capabilities that make a great consultant.

Core Qualities Consulting Firms Prioritize

At the foundation, consulting firms are looking for candidates who can:

• Solve complex problems: Consultants help businesses tackle challenging, ambiguous issues every day. You need to show strong analytical thinking, the ability to break down problems into structured steps, and creativity in finding solutions.
  
  
• Communicate clearly: Communication is crucial in consulting—whether you're explaining a framework to a client or presenting your recommendation to a partner. Firms look for students who can explain ideas in a concise, logical, and client-friendly way.
  
  
• Work effectively in teams: Consulting is highly collaborative. Teams are often diverse in both backgrounds and perspectives, so being able to work well with others is essential.
  
  
• Handle pressure and ambiguity: Consultants frequently deal with shifting client demands, tight deadlines, and limited data. Demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a calm approach under pressure signals that you can thrive in this fast-paced environment.
  
  
• Show leadership potential: Leadership isn't just about titles; it’s about taking initiative, motivating others, and driving results—whether in a student organization, class project, part-time job, or volunteer role.
  
  
• Demonstrate genuine interest in consulting: Firms want to hire people who are excited about solving business problems and serving clients. You should be able to articulate why you’re interested in consulting, and why you’re drawn to that firm specifically.
  

The Technical & Analytical Edge

Beyond these core consulting traits, firms also evaluate your technical and analytical experience. This can come from:

• Quantitative coursework: Classes like economics, statistics, finance, engineering, or computer science can help demonstrate your analytical strength.
  
  
• Data analysis skills: Experience with Excel, SQL, Python, or data visualization tools is increasingly valued, as many consulting projects rely on data-driven insights.
  
  
• Client-facing or leadership experience: Whether you’ve led a campus organization, worked in customer service, or participated in volunteer projects, firms love to see that you’ve developed interpersonal and leadership skills in real-world settings.
  
  
• Structured thinking: Participating in case competitions, debate teams, or business clubs can show that you can structure your ideas and approach problems logically—exactly what you’ll be doing in client cases.
  

Soft Skills Still Win

Your soft skills that often secure the offer—and drive long-term success in consulting.

Consulting is fundamentally about working with people. Firms want candidates who can build client trust, collaborate effectively on teams, and communicate complex ideas clearly. Strong emotional intelligence helps consultants navigate high-pressure situations, read client needs, and adjust their communication style accordingly.

Curiosity also plays a big role. Consultants are constantly exposed to industries and challenges they may not have seen before. Firms value candidates who are eager to learn quickly, ask insightful questions, and stay open-minded when approaching new problems.

Humility is equally important. Consultants don’t need to know everything on day one, but they do need to be coachable, receptive to feedback, and willing to learn from both clients and teammates.

Finally, adaptability is a must-have. Projects can pivot quickly, and client needs shift as new information comes to light. Consultants who stay flexible and solution-oriented under uncertainty thrive in these fast-paced environments.

In many cases, it’s this blend of interpersonal and problem-solving skills that differentiates top candidates. You can explore even more of the top soft and hard skills consulting employers look for in this guide on skills employers look for.

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🤝 Build Your Consulting Network Early

Networking plays a huge role in landing a consulting internship. While technical skills and strong academics matter, consulting remains a relationship-driven industry. Many successful candidates credit their offers not just to their resumes, but to the professional relationships they built along the way.

Proactive networking allows you to:

• Learn firsthand about firm culture and values
  
  
• Gain insider advice on the recruiting process
  
  
• Secure referrals or interview tips
  
  
• Stand out from a competitive applicant pool
  

Here’s how you can start building your consulting network even as a student:

• Attend on-campus recruiting events hosted by consulting firms
  
  
• Join consulting clubs or case competition teams at your university
  
  
• Connect with alumni on LinkedIn who work in consulting
  
  
• Schedule informational interviews with current consultants
  
  
• Attend virtual info sessions, coffee chats, or networking panels
  
  
• Always follow up with personalized thank-you notes to show appreciation and maintain relationships
  

"I wasn’t the most connected student at first. But by consistently reaching out to alumni, attending events, and staying proactive, I built relationships that directly led to my Deloitte offer." — Claudia Duverglas, Consultant at Deloitte

Claudia’s story is proof that you don’t need an existing network to break into consulting. With consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from others, you can open doors that ultimately lead to interviews and offers.

Remember: networking isn’t just about asking for a job. It’s about building authentic professional relationships that help you grow, learn, and better understand whether consulting is the right fit for you. You can explore even more proven networking strategies in this full networking guide for students.

Creative outreach is also powerful. Learn how to strategically use DMs to connect with recruiters in this guide

📄 Build a Resume That Stands Out

Your resume is often your first impression. For consulting internships, it’s not just about listing everything you’ve ever done—it’s about showcasing the right experiences that align with what firms are looking for.

Focus on Impact

Consulting firms love resumes that show clear results and leadership. Avoid vague descriptions and focus on outcomes:

• Use action-oriented verbs like “led,” “analyzed,” “spearheaded,” “designed,” “implemented,” or “optimized.”
  
  
• Quantify your impact wherever possible. Instead of “Managed club finances,” say “Managed $15,000 annual club budget and cut costs by 10%.”
  
  
• Highlight leadership, problem-solving, and analytical work. This can come from coursework, extracurriculars, part-time jobs, or volunteer experiences.
  
  
• Showcase relevant academic projects where you solved complex problems or used data to make recommendations.
  
  

Include Relevant Experience

Consulting firms value well-rounded students with a range of applicable experiences, even outside traditional business roles:

• Student consulting clubs — project-based work that mirrors real consulting engagements.
  
  
• Business competitions — case competitions demonstrate problem-solving and structured thinking under pressure.
  
  
• Externships and internships — any professional experience where you worked in teams, solved problems, or interacted with clients.
  
  
• Academic research or data projects — especially if you applied frameworks, market analysis, or quantitative skills.
  
  
• Leadership roles — student organizations, volunteer projects, or team captain roles where you led others

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👉 Pro Tip: Consider joining a consulting externship through Extern. These short-term, project-based programs let you work on real-world business problems and build the resume experience consulting firms love.

Keep It Clean and Concise

Consulting recruiters often spend less than 30 seconds scanning each resume. Make your document easy to skim:

• Keep it to one page (unless you have multiple degrees or substantial work experience).
  
  
• Use simple, professional formatting with clear section headers and consistent font size.
  
  
• Avoid dense paragraphs—use bullet points with clear, action-driven statements.
  
  
• Double check for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Small mistakes can cost you interviews.
  
  

Use AI & ATS-Friendly Techniques

Most firms now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes before a recruiter even reads them:

• Mirror keywords from the job posting—e.g., “client engagement,” “problem solving,” “market analysis,” or “financial modeling.”
  
  
• Avoid graphics, tables, text boxes, or columns that might confuse ATS scanners.
  
  
• Submit your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting integrity across different systems.
  
  
• Use free ATS-scanning tools to test your resume’s keyword match and formatting score before submitting.
  
  

If you're writing your very first resume, start simple and focus on clarity. Use a clean format, strong action verbs, and highlight relevant academic or leadership experiences that show transferable skills.

You can dive even deeper into optimizing your consulting resume in this full guide on AI, resumes, and ATS tools for students.

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📨 Master the Application Process

Consulting applications are highly structured. Pay close attention to deadlines:

• Resume
  
  
• Tailored cover letter
  
  
• Transcripts
  
  
• Online application forms
  
  

👉 Pro tip: Personalize each application based on the firm’s values, culture, practice areas, and recent client projects. Small customizations can help your application stand out in highly competitive applicant pools.

Prepare for the Case Interview

The case interview is the biggest hurdle. Start preparing months in advance.

Use Case Prep Resources

• Case in Point (by: Marc P. Cosentino)
  
  
• Case Interview Secrets by Victor Cheng (videos)
  
  
• PrepLounge (case practice platform)

Learn the Basics

• Master common frameworks: profitability, market entry, mergers & acquisitions, growth strategy
  
  
• Practice mental math, structured problem solving, and clear communication
  

Practice with Partners

• Schedule mock interviews with classmates or online partners
  
  
• Practice thinking out loud and receiving feedback
  
  
• Simulate real interview conditions to build confidence under pressure
  
  

Don’t Forget the Behavioral Interview

Consulting interviews also include behavioral questions like:

• “Tell me about a time you led a team.”
  
  
• “Describe a situation where you solved a complex problem.”
  
  
• “How do you handle feedback?”
  
  

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your behavioral responses clearly and concisely.

You can review this full guide on best internship interview tips for deeper behavioral prep strategies.

🧗‍♂️ Stay Resilient and Keep Growing

Rejections are part of the process. Many successful consultants faced multiple rejections before landing offers. The consulting interview process is highly competitive, and even very qualified candidates may need multiple cycles to break in.

Keep improving your skills, building experience, practicing cases, and expanding your network. Every round of preparation compounds over time and makes you stronger for the next opportunity.

Remember: persistence compounds.