FTI Consulting Internship 2027–2028: Segments, Deadlines & How to Apply

Last updated: July 2026

FTI Consulting earned Vault’s #25 ranking on the North America Consulting 50 in 2025 and holds a 4.8 out of 5 intern rating on Glassdoor, with 99% of intern reviewers recommending the program. For the 2027–2028 cycle (you apply during 2026, you intern in summer 2027), applications are expected to open in late August to early September 2026, roughly 8 to 10 months before a June start.

But here’s the challenge: FTI fills on an effectively rolling basis, and third-party sources report that slots begin closing within weeks of the window opening.

So what does that mean for you? It means the resume you build this summer determines whether rolling review pulls your application forward or passes it by.

Quick Facts

The numbers that matter: a rolling window expected to open late August 2026, a 10-week program paying $30 to $43 per hour, and a Vault #25 consulting ranking. FTI does not sponsor work visas for interns.

Externships are short, remote professional experience programs where you finish a real project with a real company. The Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship and the Attronica FP&A & Private Company Valuation Externship build exactly the financial analysis and modeling evidence that FTI’s rolling application needs. The Healthcare Operations Consulting Externship adds the consulting problem-solving angle that maps to FTI’s advisory segments. Explore all Externships.

What Is a FTI Consulting Internship?

An FTI Consulting internship is a paid, 10-week placement that puts rising seniors on live client engagements from day one across one of the firm’s five business segments: Corporate Finance & Restructuring, Economic Consulting, Forensic & Litigation Consulting, Strategic Communications, and Technology. There aren’t simulated case studies or busy-work rotations here. You’re assigned a dedicated coach, you work on real matters, and you present findings to senior leadership.

And that direct exposure is the point: FTI built its reputation as the gold standard in litigation consulting and expert testimony, and the internship is designed as the primary pipeline into full-time analyst roles. With $3.80 billion in FY 2025 revenue, 8,100 employees across 32 countries, and a client roster that includes the most complex restructurings and disputes in the market, FTI offers the specialization depth of a boutique with the global footprint of a large firm.

When Do FTI Consulting Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?

FTI Consulting runs on a rolling calendar with soft windows rather than hard deadlines. Based on the most recent cycle, the portal opened in late August 2025, the primary application window ran from September 15 to October 15, and interview season peaked from October through November. For the summer 2027 cycle, listings are expected in late August to early September 2026, with the primary review window closing by mid-October and offers flowing from December 2026 through January 2027.

But some segments run on different clocks: Corporate Finance & Restructuring posted rolling fills as late as February in the prior cycle, while Economic Consulting is known to close earliest.

So if you’re targeting the most competitive segment, your proof needs to be resume-ready before September 2026.

Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open

FTI operates on effectively rolling admissions, and third-party guidance is unambiguous: submit your application within the first two weeks of the window to maximize interview opportunities. Why? Because slots fill as applications are reviewed, not at a fixed cutoff date.

And the most competitive segment, Economic Consulting, closes earliest. The prior cycle’s Corporate Finance track posted a hard February deadline for late-season fills, but by that point the main wave had already moved through.

So waiting for a deadline that technically still exists is the wrong strategy when the seats are being claimed on a rolling basis. If you’re reading this in summer 2026, you have roughly 2 months to build the evidence that a September 2026 submission needs.

Which FTI Consulting Internship Programs Should You Target?

FTI Consulting organizes internships across five business segments plus a cross-functional corporate track. Placement is determined at application; there’s no rotation model, so you’re choosing your segment upfront. Each one interviews against its own competency framework, and the skills they test differ substantially.

See all current openings on the FTI student careers portal. Note that CF&R and Economic Consulting are described as the most competitive segments, with Economic Consulting closing earliest.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

FTI Consulting publishes consistent requirements across its intern postings:

• Year: rising senior or fifth-year master’s student, actively pursuing a bachelor’s degree or completing a fifth-year master’s program with a graduation date within approximately one year after the internship (for Summer 2027: graduating ~December 2027 to August 2028).

• GPA: 3.0 cumulative minimum required (stated in JDs). Competitive candidates typically have 3.5+, and Economic Consulting has the highest GPA expectations of all segments.

• Work authorization: must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. FTI’s JDs state this position "does not provide visa sponsorship." Third-party sources suggest CPT may be supported for F-1 students and OPT sponsorship may be available for full-time hires, but this hasn’t been confirmed by FTI. Verify directly with recruiting.

• Travel: ability to travel to client sites and company offices is required. This is an in-person program, not remote.

• AI policy: FTI explicitly asks applicants not to use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) or other automated software during the recruitment process.

What GPA Do I Really Need for FTI Consulting?

The JDs state a 3.0 minimum, but that’s the floor rather than the target. Third-party sources consistently report that 3.5+ is preferred for technical segments like CF&R and Economic Consulting, and the most competitive candidates exceed that. Does a 3.1 disqualify you? Not officially.

But because FTI uses rolling review, a higher GPA combined with relevant project experience moves your application forward faster than a marginal GPA with no financial experience to offset it. For Strategic Communications and Corporate, the GPA bar is generally lower, with more weight placed on writing samples and communications experience.

What Skills Does FTI Consulting Look For, and How Do You Build Them?

Four real FTI Consulting intern job descriptions tell a clear story about what the firm values. Communication appears across all four segments. Quantitative reasoning and analytical skills show up in three.

And problem-solving scores equally high.

But here’s what stands out: the soft-skill signal is as strong as the technical one. FTI’s interview process explicitly tests adaptability and willingness to learn, and Glassdoor reviewers consistently report that "the company cares more about willingness to learn and fit than anything else." Does that mean technical skills don’t matter? Not at all. CF&R expects three-statement modeling fluency, Economic Consulting requires econometrics, and Technology wants data analytics. The difference is that FTI hires for learning trajectory alongside current capability.

How Is Demand for Consulting Interns Moving Right Now?

Build These Skills Before You Apply

Every top skill in the chart maps to a remote Externship where you finish a real company project before the window opens.

How tight is the overlap? The Yinan Zhao deliverable is a full valuation model in the CF&R posting’s exact vocabulary, the Attronica project produces FP&A analysis that maps to the quantitative reasoning Economic Consulting demands, and the Healthcare Operations Consulting project builds the structured problem-solving and client communication skills that all five FTI segments interview for. Each ends on a client-ready presentation, which is the skill every JD shares.

What Is the FTI Consulting Application and Interview Process Like?

FTI Consulting runs a multi-stage funnel that varies by segment. Based on the most recent cycle and Glassdoor data (62% positive experience, 2.82/5 difficulty, average 26-day process):

1. Apply through the FTI student careers portal with your resume, transcript, and application responses. FTI posts separate listings per segment, so choose your strongest-fit division. Don’t scatter applications across all five segments.

2. Online assessment evaluating numerical and written abilities, tailored to your target segment. This arrives within weeks of submission. Advance rate estimated at 60 to 70% (community data).

3. Pre-recorded video interview (HireVue-style) assessing communication skills and motivation. Expect questions about why FTI, why your target segment, and how you handle ambiguity.

4. First-round interviews: two behavioral interviews using the STAR method (45 minutes each) plus one technical interview. Behavioral questions focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability. Technical content is segment-specific: CF&R tests three-statement modeling and restructuring concepts; Economic Consulting tests econometrics; Technology tests logic puzzles and data analytics.

5. Final round (Superday): 3 to 4 interviews with advanced cases and technical deep-dives. Expect senior leadership participation. This is where segment knowledge and ‘why FTI’ specificity make the difference.

Important: FTI explicitly prohibits the use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) or other automated software to respond to questions or complete tasks during the recruitment process. Violation would disqualify your application. Be prepared for an AI-awareness question in interviews: "How do you use AI in your day-to-day and what is your experience with it?" has been reported on Glassdoor as a real FTI interview question.

What Students on Reddit Say

Three community data points show what the intern experience looks like from the inside.

How Do You Stand Out When Rolling Review Starts in September?

Three moves, all executable before the portal opens. First, apply in week one of the window. Rolling admissions mean timing is itself a filter, so set alerts on FTI’s careers portal and Handshake before August 2026. Second, build evidence in the JD’s exact language: financial analysis, quantitative reasoning, and client communication are the top three skill clusters, and a finished project in any of them answers behavioral questions with artifacts rather than anecdotes. Third, research your target segment deeply. FTI interviewers ask pointed ‘why this specific segment’ questions, and they’ve recently added AI-awareness prompts like ‘how do you use AI in your day-to-day.’ You can’t wing that without knowing the segment’s practice areas and current matters.

What Other Companies Should You Consider?

FTI Consulting competes in the specialized advisory and consulting tier. If you’re targeting consulting internships, these are the closest comparisons in specialization, culture, and timeline.

Our consulting internships summer 2027 guide maps the full landscape of MBB, Big Four, and specialized advisory timelines in one place.

FAQ

Does FTI Consulting sponsor work visas for summer interns?

FTI’s job descriptions state that the position "does not provide visa sponsorship" and applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Third-party sources suggest CPT may be supported for F-1 students and OPT sponsorship may be available for full-time hires, but this hasn’t been confirmed by FTI. Contact FTI recruiting directly to clarify your specific situation.

What GPA do I need for an FTI Consulting internship?

The official minimum is a 3.0 cumulative GPA, stated in job descriptions. However, competitive candidates typically have 3.5 or above, especially for technical segments like Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Economic Consulting. For Strategic Communications and Corporate, a strong writing portfolio and communications experience can offset a slightly lower number.

When should I apply for the Summer 2027 FTI Consulting internship?

Based on the most recent cycle, the portal opened in late August 2025 with a primary review window from September 15 to October 15. For Summer 2027, expect a similar late August to early September 2026 opening. Because FTI fills on an effectively rolling basis, apply within the first two weeks of the window. Economic Consulting closes earliest.

Can I apply to multiple FTI Consulting segments at the same time?

FTI posts separate listings per segment. You can technically apply to more than one, but it’s generally advisable to focus on your strongest-fit segment. Each segment interviews against its own competency framework, and a scattered application may signal lack of focus. Research your target segment’s practice areas thoroughly before applying.

What is the FTI Consulting interview process like?

It’s a multi-stage funnel: online application, then a numerical and written assessment, then a pre-recorded video interview (HireVue-style), then first-round interviews (two behavioral using STAR method plus one technical, each 45 minutes), then a final-round Superday with 3 to 4 advanced interviews. The average process takes about 26 days according to Glassdoor. Technical content varies by segment.

What is the return offer rate at FTI Consulting?

FTI does not publish an official conversion rate. Third-party estimates suggest 70 to 75% of summer interns receive full-time offers, with graduate interns at 75 to 85%. Offers are typically extended in the final two weeks of the program. These are community estimates, not confirmed by FTI.

What is the IMPACT Leadership Program?

IMPACT is a 2-day virtual event for current freshmen and sophomores who identify as Black/African American, LatinX, LGBTQ+, APAC, Indigenous, or women. Selected attendees receive priority consideration for summer internships. It covers all five business segments and is designed as an early pipeline into FTI’s internship program. Applications open as early as mid-August.

Do I need a finance major to intern at FTI Consulting?

It depends on the segment. CF&R prefers Finance, Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, Engineering, or Data Science. Economic Consulting leans toward Economics, Mathematics, and Statistics. Strategic Communications prefers Communications, English, Journalism, Marketing, or Public Relations. Technology values Computer Science and Information Systems. The common thread is quantitative reasoning and strong communication, regardless of your specific major.

The window is rolling and the most competitive segments close within weeks. Spend the runway building proof: a remote Externship turns ‘interested in consulting’ into a finished project that a rolling application can point at.