Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

BCG Empower is an invite-only, three-day workshop that gives pre-MBA students from underrepresented backgrounds hands-on consulting experience, mentorship from BCG consultants, and a meaningful head start on recruiting. The program is co-hosted by BCG’s Black@BCG, Latin@BCG, and Indigenous@BCG affinity networks and takes place in the summer before your MBA begins.

 

If you’re wondering how to apply, what the selection process looks like, and how to give yourself the best shot at getting in, this article covers everything you need to know.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

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What Changed in 2026?

 

BCG has made several notable changes to the Empower program and its selection process. The biggest update is that BCG now uses its Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) as the screening tool for Empower candidates, replacing the one-way Spark Hire video interview used in previous years. The CCA is a ~30-minute online exercise that evaluates behavioral traits, logic, and pattern recognition.

 

BCG has also updated its eligibility language. The program is now described as open to all incoming MBA students who want to connect with members of BCG’s Black@BCG, Latin@BCG, and Indigenous@BCG affinity networks. Additionally, the 2025 in-person event was held exclusively in Chicago (July 9–11), with a virtual option, rather than offering multiple in-person locations.

 

What Is the BCG Empower Program?

 

BCG Empower is a three-day workshop consisting of small group sessions, case prep workshops, and social events designed for incoming MBA students. It is part of BCG Unlock, a virtual summer learning program that introduces pre-MBA students to BCG and a career in consulting.

 

According to BCG’s careers page, participants in the Empower program can expect to:

 

• Build relationships with BCG team members and consultants across practice areas

 

• Strengthen problem-solving and leadership skills through interactive workshops

 

• Explore what a future career at BCG could look like

 

• Gain firsthand insight into BCG’s culture, career opportunities, and values

 

• Receive case prep training and one-on-one coaching from a BCG consultant

 

BCG Empower is offered both in-person and virtually and typically takes place in June and July. The 2025 in-person program was held in Chicago. There is no cost to attend. According to BCG, the firm covers all event-related expenses, including travel and accommodations for in-person attendees.

 

If you have any questions about the BCG Empower program, you can email BCG’s MBA recruiting team at [email protected].

 

You can also check out our list of pre-MBA programs for similar opportunities at other firms.

 

How Is BCG Empower Different from BCG Unlock?

 

Many candidates confuse BCG Empower with BCG Unlock. They are related but distinct programs. Unlock is a virtual, optional summer program open to all incoming MBA students. Empower is a selective, in-person workshop within Unlock specifically designed for students who want to connect with BCG’s diversity affinity networks.

 

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

 

Feature	BCG Unlock	BCG Empower
Format	Virtual	In-person + virtual option
Duration	Summer-long series of events	Three-day workshop
Eligibility	All incoming MBA students	Students connecting with Black@BCG, Latin@BCG, or Indigenous@BCG networks
Application	Direct registration	Indicate interest within Unlock application
Selection	Open enrollment	Invite-only after CCA screening
Cost	Free	Free (BCG covers all expenses)

 

You can participate in both BCG Unlock and BCG Empower. In fact, BCG encourages it since the program content complements each other.

 

What Are the BCG Empower Eligibility Requirements?

 

To be eligible for the BCG Empower program, you must be admitted to a full-time MBA program in the U.S. or Canada with an anticipated graduation date two years from the upcoming fall. For the 2025 cycle, this meant Class of 2027 MBA students. First-year, second-year, and Executive MBA students are not eligible.

 

BCG describes Empower as designed for incoming MBA students who want to connect with members of BCG’s Black@BCG, Latin@BCG, and Indigenous@BCG affinity networks. According to BCG’s FAQ, the program is open to candidates of all backgrounds.

 

Candidates must also be currently based in the U.S. or Canada and interested in exploring opportunities in BCG’s U.S. or Canadian offices.

 

Which MBA Programs Are Eligible for BCG Empower?

 

BCG welcomes applications from any incoming MBA student, but particularly encourages applications from students enrolled at the following programs:

 

• Anderson School of Management (UCLA)

 

• Booth School of Business (University of Chicago)

 

• Carlson School of Management (University of Minnesota)

 

• Columbia Business School

 

• Darden School of Business (University of Virginia)

 

• ESADE (Ramon Llull University)

 

• Foster School of Business (University of Washington)

 

• Fuqua School of Business (Duke)

 

• Goizueta Business School (Emory University)

 

• Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley)

 

• Harvard Business School

 

• HEC Paris

 

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

 

• Howard University School of Business

 

• IE Business School

 

• IESE Business School (University of Navarra)

 

• INSEAD

 

• Johnson School of Management (Cornell University)

 

• Jones Graduate School of Business (Rice University)

 

• Kelley School of Business (Indiana University)

 

• Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)

 

• Kenan-Flagler Business School (UNC)

 

• London Business School

 

• Marshall School of Business (University of Southern California)

 

• McCombs School of Business (University of Texas at Austin)

 

• McDonough School of Business (Georgetown University)

 

• Mendoza College of Business (University of Notre Dame)

 

• Olin Business School (Washington University in St. Louis)

 

• Owen Graduate School of Management (Vanderbilt)

 

• Ross School of Business (University of Michigan)

 

• Rotman School of Management (University of Toronto)

 

• Saïd Business School (University of Oxford)

 

• SDA Bocconi School of Management

 

• Sloan School of Management (MIT)

 

• Stanford Graduate School of Business

 

• Stern School of Business (NYU)

 

• Tepper School of Business (Carnegie Mellon University)

 

• The Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania)

 

• Tuck School of Business (Dartmouth)

 

• University of Cambridge Judge Business School

 

• Yale School of Management

 

If your school is not on this list, you may still be eligible. BCG states it welcomes applications from any pre-MBA student. Check BCG’s official Empower page for the most current list of eligible programs.

 

When Is the BCG Empower Deadline?

 

The deadline to register for BCG Empower is typically in April or May. For the 2025 cycle, the BCG Unlock registration deadline (which includes the option to indicate interest in Empower) was May 12, 2025.

 

BCG Empower is highly competitive and space is extremely limited. Always check BCG’s official Empower website for the most current deadlines. Empower notifications are typically sent in June.

 

Make sure to check out our list of all BCG application deadlines for internships, full-time roles, and other programs.

 

How Do You Apply for BCG Empower?

 

There is no separate application for BCG Empower. To be considered, you must register for BCG Unlock and indicate your interest in BCG Empower within the Unlock registration form. Empower participants are selected from the BCG Unlock candidate pool only.

 

What Does the BCG Unlock Application Require?

 

The BCG Unlock application has three components: your resume, test scores, and office preferences.

 

Resume

 

Your resume is the most important part of the application. It’s what BCG uses to assess your academic background, work experience, and accomplishments. Spend at least a few days crafting a strong consulting resume before submitting.

 

In my experience coaching candidates, the resumes that stand out include quantified accomplishments, a clear track record of leadership, and a balance of quantitative and qualitative achievements. Keep it to one page, start every bullet with a past-tense action verb, and avoid jargon.

 

Test Scores

 

You’ll need to submit your SAT, ACT, GMAT, or GRE scores. You do not need an official score report. Just input the numerical scores and sub-score breakdowns. If your MBA program waived test score requirements, select “GMAT overall” from the dropdown and write “Test scores waived.”

 

Office Preferences

 

The application asks for your top three BCG office preferences. Select offices where you would genuinely want to live and work after graduation. You’ll assign a percentage weight to each preference that totals 100%. For example, you might put New York at 60%, Chicago at 25%, and San Francisco at 15%.

 

Your office preferences are not binding. They help BCG connect you with consultants in those locations and provide you with relevant information about those offices.

 

What Is the BCG Empower Selection Process?

 

After the BCG Unlock registration deadline closes, eligible candidates who indicated interest in Empower will receive an email inviting them to complete the BCG Consulting Career Assessment (CCA). This is a relatively new screening step that BCG introduced in 2024.

 

Here is the step-by-step selection timeline:

 

1. Step 1: Register for BCG Unlock and indicate interest in BCG Empower before the deadline
   
   
2. Step 2: Receive an email invite to complete the BCG CCA (typically within days of the deadline)
   
   
3. Step 3: Complete the CCA within 48 hours of receiving the invitation
   
   
4. Step 4: BCG reviews your application, resume, and CCA results holistically
   
   
5. Step 5: Empower invitations are sent out in June

 

What Is the BCG Consulting Career Assesssment?

 

The BCG Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) is a ~30-minute online exercise that BCG uses to evaluate candidates beyond what a resume shows. According to BCG, the CCA is “designed to help us understand how you approach real-world challenges.”

 

The CCA is entirely computer-based with no video or camera component. Based on candidate reports, the assessment includes two main sections:

 

• Behavioral Questions (untimed): You choose from a set of statements that best describe how you would act in various work situations. There are no right or wrong answers. BCG is looking for alignment with its core values of collaboration, curiosity, and impact.

 

• Math and Logic Questions (timed, approximately 12 minutes): You answer 8 questions focused on pattern recognition, logical sequences, and scheduling logic. This section tests your ability to think clearly under time pressure.

 

BCG provides practice questions within the assessment itself, so you will not be going in completely blind. The CCA also does not have a traditional scoring system. Your responses are compared against a profile of traits BCG values in its consultants.

 

How Should You Prepare for the BCG Consulting Career Assesssment?

 

BCG states that no preparation is needed for the CCA. However, in my experience, a few simple steps can help you perform your best:

 

• Complete the assessment in a quiet environment with a reliable internet connection. Treat it like you would a real interview setting.

 

• For the behavioral section, be authentic. Think about how you genuinely approach teamwork, problem-solving, and conflict. BCG is assessing fit, not looking for “perfect” answers.

 

• For the math and logic section, practice pattern recognition and sequencing puzzles ahead of time. The questions are more about logic than heavy math calculations.

 

• Watch your time carefully on the timed section. You have roughly 90 seconds per question, so move quickly and avoid overthinking.

 

The CCA is a screening tool, not a deep case interview. If you approach it calmly and answer thoughtfully, you are giving yourself a strong chance.

 

What Should You Expect During BCG Empower?

 

BCG Empower is a three-day experience that combines professional development with genuine relationship building. Having coached hundreds of candidates through BCG recruiting, I can tell you that the people who get the most out of these programs are the ones who show up prepared to learn and ready to engage.

 

During the program, you will participate in small group sessions led by BCG consultants, practice case interviews in a supportive environment, and attend social events designed to help you connect with other incoming MBA students and BCG leaders.

 

Past participants have described the experience as transformative. According to one participant from Darden, “We had opportunities to ask questions about day-to-day life in the firm, practice our case interview skills, and really get immersed in the culture of BCG.” Another participant from Tuck noted they were able to “learn about the culture, practice areas, and investments that BCG is actively making to support its employees.”

 

The program is not evaluative in the traditional sense. BCG uses it to build relationships with future MBA candidates, not to make hiring decisions on the spot. That said, the connections you make and the skills you build will give you a real advantage when fall recruiting begins.

 

What Happens After BCG Empower?

 

After the Empower workshop ends, attendees receive additional opportunities to stay connected with BCG. According to BCG’s careers page, this includes interview preparation workshops and further networking events designed to continue the conversation and deepen relationships.

 

These post-Empower touchpoints are valuable because they keep you on BCG’s radar heading into the fall recruiting cycle. You’ll have a built-in network of BCG consultants who know you and can advocate for you during the interview process.

 

To make the most of these opportunities, follow up with every BCG consultant you meet during Empower on LinkedIn. Send a brief, personalized thank-you note within 48 hours of the program. Stay engaged with the BCG community throughout the summer and use those relationships when you need advice on your application or interview prep.

 

Tips for Getting into the BCG Empower Program

 

BCG Empower is selective and space is limited. Based on years of coaching candidates through similar programs, here are the most impactful things you can do to maximize your chances of getting selected.

 

Perfect Your Consulting Resume

 

Your resume is the single most important component of the application. BCG’s recruiting team uses it to quickly assess whether you have the academic credentials, work experience, and leadership track record they’re looking for.

 

Follow these tips to make your resume stand out:

 

• Keep it to one page. No exceptions. If yours is longer, cut the weakest bullets.

 

• Start every bullet with a past-tense action verb. Ideally, every bullet starts with a different verb to show range.

 

• Include a number or metric in every bullet. Quantified accomplishments are far more persuasive than vague descriptions.

 

• Balance quantitative accomplishments (analyzing data, building models) with qualitative ones (leading teams, managing stakeholders).

 

• Avoid technical jargon, acronyms, and buzzwords. A reader with no industry background should understand every word.

 

• Include personal interests at the bottom. Interesting hobbies are often the most memorable part of a resume for reviewers.

 

If you want professional help getting your resume right, check out our resume review and editing service. You’ll get unlimited revisions and 24-hour turnaround to make sure your resume is as strong as possible before the deadline.

 

Prepare Your Answers to Common Behavioral Questions

 

Even though the CCA has replaced the one-way video interview for screening purposes, you should still prepare for consulting behavioral interview questions. These questions are likely to come up during the Empower program itself and will definitely appear in your fall recruiting interviews.

 

Prepare 6 to 8 stories from your professional and personal experiences. Each story should highlight a different quality: leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, resilience, integrity, or communication. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure each answer.

 

The most common behavioral questions for BCG programs include:

 

• Tell me about a time when you led a team

 

• Give an example of a time when you went above and beyond

 

• Tell me about a time when you failed

 

• Describe a problem you solved using data

 

• Tell me about a time when you resolved conflict while working on a team

 

When answering, spend most of your time on the Action and Result. The Situation and Task should take no more than 20% of your answer.

 

Know Your Answers to "Why BCG?" and "Why Consulting?"

 

You should expect to discuss your motivations for consulting and your interest in BCG during the Empower program. Having a clear, genuine answer prepared will help you stand out during networking conversations and small group sessions.

 

For “why BCG,” focus on specific, researched reasons. Strong answers include:

 

• BCG’s culture of intellectual curiosity, where ideas are constantly challenged and elevated

 

• BCG’s commitment to professional development through mentorship programs and peer-to-peer teaching

 

• BCG’s regional staffing model, which balances local presence with global project opportunities

 

• BCG’s track record of innovation, including its investments in digital capabilities and GAMMA analytics

 

For “why consulting,” the strongest answers tie consulting to your specific career goals. Common themes include wanting to solve high-impact business problems, building a versatile skill set across industries, and learning how companies operate from the inside.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does BCG Empower Affect Your Future BCG Applications?

 

No. According to BCG, whether or not you are invited or choose to participate in Empower, it will have no impact on your future job or event applications with BCG. You should apply without worrying that a rejection would hurt your chances during fall recruiting.

 

Is There a Cost to Attend BCG Empower?

 

There is no cost to attend BCG Empower. BCG covers all event-related expenses. This includes travel and accommodations for candidates attending the in-person workshop.

 

Can You Participate in Both BCG Unlock and BCG Empower?

 

Yes. BCG encourages eligible candidates to participate in both programs. The Unlock virtual sessions and the Empower in-person workshop complement each other, so attending both gives you a more complete picture of BCG.

 

Is BCG Empower Open to Candidates of All Backgrounds?

 

Yes. BCG states that everyone is welcome to apply to Empower. The program is co-hosted by BCG’s Black@BCG, Latin@BCG, and Indigenous@BCG affinity networks, which are open to all BCGers who are passionate about fostering inclusion.

 

When Are BCG Empower Notifications Sent?

 

BCG Empower notifications are typically sent in June. After the Unlock registration deadline passes, eligible Empower candidates are first invited to complete the CCA. Decisions are then communicated via email before the program begins in July.

 

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