Pre-MBA programs are extraordinary opportunities for incoming MBA students to get a head start on their career after business school, develop their professional skills, and win scholarship awards.

 

If you’re interested in applying to a pre-MBA program, then this article is for you. We’ll cover what pre-MBA programs are and provide you with a comprehensive list of all consulting pre-MBA programs.

 

What are Pre-MBA Programs?

 

Pre-MBA programs are information sessions, workshops, and networking events for incoming MBA students to learn more about a particular profession or company. The vast majority of pre-MBA programs are for those interested in consulting or finance, but there are also pre-MBA programs for marketing, healthcare, and technology.

 

There are three major types of pre-MBA programs: scholarship programs, diversity programs, and general interest programs.

 

Pre-MBA Scholarship Programs

 

Many companies have pre-MBA scholarship programs to attract high-quality candidates. These pre-MBA scholarship programs have an application process that includes submitting a resume, answering essay questions, and completing in-person or virtual interviews.

 

Applicants that are selected into these scholarship programs will receive a monetary award as well as mentoring and coaching.

 

Pre-MBA Diversity Programs

 

Pre-MBA diversity programs are targeted towards incoming MBA students that come from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds such as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous groups.

 

Many companies have diversity hiring initiatives and are trying to expand the number of minorities that they hire. Therefore, many companies have special programming and events targeted towards minorities to attract them to the company and help them navigate through the recruiting process.

 

Pre-MBA General Interest Programs

 

Pre-MBA general interest programs are targeted towards any incoming MBA student with interest in a particular profession, such as consulting or finance.

 

These programs consist of educational events to help participants learn more about what a career in consulting, finance, or other profession is like.

 

Who are Eligible for Pre-MBA Programs?

 

To be eligible for pre-MBA programs, candidates must be accepted into a 2-year MBA program and begin school in the upcoming fall. First-year, second-year, and executive MBA candidates are not eligible for pre-MBA programs.

 

Some pre-MBA programs will have additional requirements regarding background. For pre-MBA diversity programs, candidates generally must identify as African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, or Indigenous.

 

Candidates that are enrolled in a dual-degree program, such as a JD/MBA or MD/MBA, are encouraged to apply to these programs before they begin their first year of business school.

 

List of Consulting Pre-MBA Programs

 

Consulting has many different pre-MBA programs across numerous consulting firms, including McKinsey, BCG, Bain, LEK, Deloitte, Accenture, PwC, and more.

 

AlixPartners MBA Scholarship

 

The AlixPartners MBA Scholarship has three requirements for eligibility. First, applicants must be Black or African American. Second, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, analytics, business, engineering, finance, math, or technology. Third, applicants must have received their degree from any UNCF member institution.

 

Students that are pursuing an MBA program at one of the top 30 business schools are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Analysis Group Analyst Engagement Series

 

The Analysis Group Analyst Engagement Series is a series of virtual events that provide participants with the opportunity to learn more about economic consulting, health care analytics, and the different career opportunities at Analysis Group.

 

Participants will learn more about Analysis Group’s work, culture, practice areas, training and mentorship programs, and more. They welcome all undergraduate and graduate students to apply.

 

Bain BASE

 

The Bain BASE program stands for Building and Supporting Excellence and was established to provide incoming MBA students from underrepresented backgrounds with initial exposure to consulting and Bain.

 

The Bain BASE program is a one-week, in-person experience that provides incoming Black, Hispanic/Latin American, and Indigenous MBA students with a full day of consulting training before being staffed onto a real case team for a few days.

 

Bain: Be Bold Scholarship

 

The Bain Be Bold Scholarship is for EU, UK, or US business school students who identify as female or gender diverse that are interested in a career in consulting in Australia. The scholarship winner will receive an early internship offer to Bain Australia’s Summer Associate program and be a Bain Australia ambassador on their campus.

 

The financial award for the Bain Be Bold Scholarship is $10,000. The award winner will also receive one-on-one mentorship with a Bain consultant for a full year.

 

Bain: Experience Bain

 

Experience Bain is a virtual summer program for incoming MBA students to learn more about management consulting at Bain, receive recruiting tips and advice for the upcoming fall recruiting season, and network with Bainies and peers in the program.

 

Events in the Experience Bain program take place from June to August and typically last for 60 minutes. There are typically 1-2 events per week.

 

Experience Bain has grown in recent years to include programs in Tech, Diversity, Veterans, and Women’s Summit.

 

BCG Empower

 

BCG Empower is a three-day workshop consisting of small group sessions, case prep, and social events for incoming students that identify as Black, Hispanic, Latino, or Indigenous. It is part of BCG Unlock, a summer learning program that introduces MBAs to BCG and a career in consulting.

 

Participants can expect to grow their business toolkit, learn more about BCG, receive case training, and receive one-on-one coaching and mentorship from a BCG consultant.

 

BCG Fellows Scholarship

 

The BCG Fellows Scholarship is for students pursuing an MBA degree that currently reside in the US or Canada. Scholarship recipients will receive monetary awards of up to $5,000 as well as individual mentorship by BCG consultants.

 

BCG Unlock

 

BCG Unlock is a series of virtual learning sessions that takes place over the summer for incoming MBAs to learn more about consulting and BCG, develop business skills, and network with BCG colleagues and other MBA participants.

 

Individual sessions for BCG Unlock vary in length, but typically last between 60 and 90 minutes. These sessions run from late May through late July. Some of these sessions are recorded and accessible online if you aren’t able to attend live.

 

Deloitte Consulting Immersion Program

 

The Deloitte Consulting Immersion Program is an opportunity to learn about key consulting skills and opportunities at Deloitte Consulting through a three-day summit. The program is open to all incoming first-year MBA/Master’s students.

 

However, students who identify as Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or two or more races are encouraged to apply.

 

Deloitte Women’s Leadership Launch

 

The Deloitte Women’s Leadership Launch is for select first-year, women MBA/Master’s students to network with their peers, meet Deloitte professionals, and discuss the skills needed to become a successful leader. The program takes place over a weekend and consists of interactive workshops and networking events.

 

EY-Consulting Elevate

 

The EY-Consulting Elevate program is a leadership series for incoming MBA students to hear from a diverse group of leaders within EY. The goal of the program is to help participants discover their purpose and become a transformative leader. The program consists of both virtual and in-person programming to develop professional skills, learn how to successfully launch a career in consulting, and learn more about EY.

 

EY-Parthenon Connect

 

EY-Parthenon Connect Day is an in-person, three-day event for undergraduates and pre-MBA students to hear firsthand from EY-Parthenon leaders. The program has a strong preference for students who identify as Black/African American, Latinx/Hispanic, Native American, or multiracial.

 

Kearney MBA Diversity Boot Camp

 

The Kearney MBA Diversity Boot Camp provides participants with the opportunity to explore consulting firsthand and learn why Kearney is the perfect place to launch their career. It aims to provide newly admitted pre-MBA students of Black, Latinx/Hispanic, Indigenous, and Native American backgrounds an opportunity to learn about Kearney.

 

This is a two-day, in-person program that consists of informative panels, case workshops, mock interviews, and networking events.

 

LEK Consulting Pre-MBA Program

 

The LEK Consulting Pre-MBA program is an opportunity for incoming MBA students to learn more about a career in management consulting and LEK. The program is held over two days in June and consists of seminars, workshop series, and practice case interviews.

 

There are two different program tracks: one for women and one for underrepresented minorities, including Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American.

 

McKinsey Early Access

 

McKinsey Early Access is a virtual program for incoming MBA students that consists of webinars and virtual meet-ups to learn more about McKinsey, consulting, and the recruiting process. The program kicks off in late May and has events through early August.

 

Participants can expect to receive access to webinars, invitations to virtual meet-ups, education on what consulting is, information on McKinsey’s Summer Associate internship, and recruiting tips to help navigate McKinsey’s recruiting process.

 

McKinsey Emerging Scholars

 

The McKinsey Emerging Scholars program is a scholarship opportunity for pre-MBA students. Selected participants will have access to individual mentorship from a McKinsey consultant, the opportunity to network with other program participants, and a monetary award of up to $10,000.

 

McKinsey Inspire

 

McKinsey Inspire is an immersive two-day event for incoming US MBA students to connect with members of McKinsey’s diversity networks, explore a career in consulting, and refine problem solving and leadership skills. The program consists of case workshops, panels, and networking events.

 

McKinsey Inspire is part of the overall McKinsey Early Access Program and is designed for incoming full-time MBA students who are interested in and want to connect with members of the Black, Hispanic, Latino, or Indigenous networks.

 

Path to Consulting at Accenture

 

The Path to Consulting at Accenture program is for incoming MBA students to learn more about a career in consulting and life at Accenture. Accenture will conduct 1:1s with candidates interested in consulting internships for the following summer.

 

PwC MBA Consulting Preview

 

The PwC MBA Consulting Preview is a three-day program tailored towards first-year business school students pursuing an MBA. Through the program, participants will gain insights into PwC’s Consulting Solutions practice and learn how to prepare for a potential MBA internship.

 

Roland Berger Be Bold

 

The Roland Berger Be Bold program is for incoming MBA students to gain real-life consulting experience through coaching and membership. Participants in the program will learn more about consulting, network with other consultants, develop their business and interviewing skillsets, and gain mentorship.

 

The program is held virtually and runs over the course of three weeks in July. It consists of presentations, workshops on consulting projects, and networking opportunities. All participants in the Roland Berger Be Bold program are guaranteed a first-round interview for the upcoming summer internship program.

 

Strategy& Catalyst

 

The Strategy& Catalyst program offers incoming MBA students a look into the life of a consultant and an introduction to the type of work that Strategy& does. It is a three-day virtual program where participants will engage with consultants, participate in case workshops that simulate real business challenges, and explore the different professional paths at Strategy&.

 

List of Finance Pre-MBA Programs

 

In addition to consulting pre-MBA programs, there are also many pre-MBA programs for finance.

 

Citi MBA Fellowship

 

The Citi MBA Fellowship is a program that provides exceptional pre-MBA students with an opportunity to join the Institutional Clients Group with financial support from the firm.

 

Selected applicants will receive a paid summer internship opportunity, a $25K stipend for the first year of business school, and an opportunity to receive an additional $25K stipend for the second year of business school contingent on successfully completing the summer internship and accepting a full-time offer to join the firm.

 

Credit Suisse Investment Banking & Capital Markets Pre-MBA Diversity Advancement Program

 

The Credit Suisse Pre-MBA Diversity Advancement Program is for incoming first-year MBA students looking to jump start a career in investment banking. It is a one-day program that takes place in the New York office. Credit Suisse will cover the cost of travel to this program.

 

Evercore Pre-MBA Fellowship

 

Evercore hosts a number of diversity events over the summer for pre-MBA students. They offer an MBA Diversity Fellowship where candidates can earn a fellowship and internship in their pre-MBA or regular recruiting processes.

 

Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Pre-MBA Program

 

The Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Pre-MBA Program is one day of programming designed to provide students with an insider look at Goldman Sachs Investment Banking. Participants can expect to learn about Goldman Sachs’ culture, values, and career paths.

 

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to connect with current IB professionals and gain unique perspectives from leaders in the industry through panel discussions.

 

Goldman Sachs MBA Diversity Symposium

 

The Goldman Sachs Diversity Symposium provides participants with an in-depth look at Goldman Sachs’ different businesses, including asset management, global investment research, investment banking, and private wealth management.

 

Participants can expect to connect with professionals throughout Goldman Sachs’ businesses, hear from a diverse set of senior leaders, and engage directly with recruiters.

 Students that identify as Black, Hispanic/Latinx, Native American, or women are especially encouraged to apply.

 

Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship

 

The Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship is for incoming first-year MBA students and is awarded to recognize exceptional students who have made a positive impact in their community by creating a culture of teamwork, positive change, and inclusion.

 Fellowship recipients will receive a $35,000 award in addition to the Summer Associate salary. Upon successful completion of the summer internship and acceptance of a full-time offer, Fellowship recipients will be awarded an additional $40,000 plus a signing bonus for the full-time Associate role.

 

JP Morgan MBA Early Advantage

 

The JP Morgan MBA Early Advantage Program is an opportunity to learn more about JP Morgan Chase’s Associate Program. Participants will be able to network with senior leaders and have the opportunity to be considered for an upcoming summer internship.

 

Additionally, select candidates will receive an award for tuition for the first year of their MBA. Participants that successfully complete the summer internship and accept a full-time offer will also receive an award for tuition for their second year of school.

 

Lincoln International DEI MBA Workshop

 

The Lincoln International DEI MBA Workshop is for incoming MBA students with diverse backgrounds to learn more about a career in investment banking and get an early look at summer internship opportunities. It is a one-day, in-person event that provides insight into Lincoln International’s Associate role.

 

Morgan Stanley Investment Banking MBA Early Insights Program

 

The Morgan Stanley Investment Banking MBA Early Insights Program offers an opportunity to explore the different aspects of Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking Division and recruiting process. It is a one-day event aimed at attracting historically underrepresented groups in the financial services industry.

 

Orbis Investment Management MBA Fellowship

 

The Orbis Investment Management MBA Fellowship is for incoming MBA students that are passionate about investment management. There are no demographic criteria or previous work experience requirements. Selected applicants will receive a $15,000 cash award that can be used towards tuition or course-related expenses.

 

T. Rowe Price Pre-MBA Internship Program

 

The T. Rowe Price Pre-MBA Internship Program is an accelerated, 3-4 week internship for pre-MBA candidates that takes place before their first year of business school. Participants can expect to conduct industry research, present recommendations to portfolio managers, and receive mentoring from senior leaders at the firm.

 

T. Rowe Price Stock Pitch Workshop for Women

 

The T. Rowe Price Stock Pitch Workshop for Women is for women entering their first year of business school. It is a 1.5 day workshop led by investment professionals that teaches participants how to conduct primary research, develop a strong investment thesis, create financial models, and deliver an effective pitch.

 

Wells Fargo MBA Diversity Summit

 

The Wells Fargo MBA Diversity Summit is designed to develop the leaders of tomorrow. The program is open to all incoming first-year MBA students including minorities, females, protected veterans, people with disabilities, and LGBT that are interested in investment banking. Wells Fargo covers travel and meals for this in-person program.

 

Wells Fargo Securities MBA Women’s Forum

 

The Wells Fargo Securities MBA Women’s Forum is designed to broaden participants’ understanding of the financial services sector, including career opportunities in investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities. The program includes an overview of Wells Fargo, career and industry workshops, and networking events.

 

Other Pre-MBA Programs

 

In addition to consulting and finance pre-MBA programs, there are also a few pre-MBA programs for marketing, healthcare, technology, and women’s leadership.

 

Amazon Web Services Pre-MBA Internship

 

The Amazon Web Services Pre-MBA Internship is offered as part of Amazon’s HR Leadership Development Program. This program is for experienced HR professionals to work on a challenging and high-visibility project. Participants will have the opportunity to learn from senior HR leaders, receive mentorship and coaching, and grow their professional network.

 

Forte MBA Women’s Leadership Conference

 

The Forte MBA Women’s Leadership Conference is an in-person, two-day program to meet hundreds of other women MBA students, learn from highly successful business leaders, and develop leadership skills.

 

Google Student Veterans Summit

 

The Google Student Veterans Summit is a two-day summit for military members that have been accepted into an MBA program. During the program, veterans will get the opportunity to improve their resume, receive interview coaching, and connect with other veterans at Google.

 

Johnson & Johnson Procurement Leadership Development Program (PLDP)

 

The Johnson & Johnson Procurement Leadership Development Program is a 12-week program in which interns will complete challenging projects that deal with strategic business initiatives. Interns will have a formal mentor and participate in sector immersion events, leadership training, and local community service projects.

 

Upon completion of the program, interns will be considered for full-time positions.

 

P&G MBA Marketing Summer Camp

 

The P&G MBA Marketing Summer Camp is a five-day program for incoming MBA students that provides a look at P&G’s Brand Management opportunities. Participants can expect to gain an insider look at P&G, interact with P&G executives, and preview the key roles in Brand Management.

 

All participants will be given an interview for a summer internship at the end of the program.

 

Do You Need to Participate in a Pre-MBA Program?

 

Pre-MBA programs are completely optional and not required. You do not need to participate in a pre-MBA program if you are interested in a particular profession, such as consulting or investment banking, or a particular company. However, participating in them can give you a head start on recruiting and narrowing down your career choices.

 

There are a number of advantages that Pre-MBA programs provide, including learning more about different professions and companies, narrowing down your career options, building your professional network, and getting a head start on recruiting.

 

Learning more about different professions and companies

 

Participating in pre-MBA programs can give you exposure to a wide range of different professions, including consulting, finance, marketing, healthcare, and technology. You’ll be able to hear from leaders at some of the world’s top companies and learn what these companies do.

 

For those that are undecided on the career that they want post-graduation, attending pre-MBA programs can give you an insider view on what different careers across different industries and functions look like.

 

Narrowing down your career options

 

In addition to learning more about the different career paths available to you after graduation, participating in pre-MBA programs can help you narrow down your interests. It can also help you narrow down the list of companies that you’d want to apply to.

 

Building your professional network

 

Pre-MBA programs are an excellent opportunity to build your professional network by meeting and interacting with other incoming MBA students, recruiters, and leaders at some of the most prestigious companies.

 

By participating in these programs, you can meet professionals from all different backgrounds, industries, and functions. You may be able to form meaningful connections that will help you with recruiting later on in your first year at business school.

 

Getting a head start on recruiting

 

Many companies use pre-MBA programs as a way to get early access to top candidates at business schools. By applying to pre-MBA programs, you’ll be submitting your resume and getting your name out there to recruiters from different companies.

 

When the official recruiting season begins in the fall, you’ll already have a head start compared to your peers because you’ll already be on the radar for some of the companies. Recruiters will already be familiar with you and you’ll potentially have a higher likelihood of landing an interview.

 

Tips for Getting Into Pre-MBA Programs

 

To give yourself the best chance of getting into a pre-MBA program, perfect your resume, create an application plan, and prepare for behavioral interviews.

 

1. Perfect your resume

 

Your resume is the single most important component that will determine whether or not you are selected for any pre-MBA programs.

 

Therefore, you’ll want to dedicate at least a few days perfecting your resume while also getting feedback from peers, mentors, and colleagues.

 

Make sure to follow the tips below to perfect your resume.

 

• Keep your resume to one page only. If it is longer, you’ll need to make your resume more concise and less wordy

 

• Every bullet on your resume should start with a verb in the past tense to show that you have completed or achieved something

 

• Every bullet should have some kind of number or metric in them so that you can quantify your accomplishments and make them sound more impressive

 

• Your resume’s bullets should show a mix of quantitative skill accomplishments (e.g., analyzing data) and qualitative skill accomplishments (e.g., managing or working with others)

 

• Avoid using technical jargon, unfamiliar abbreviations or acronyms, and buzzwords with unclear meanings

 

• Your resume should prioritize showcasing your work experiences, particularly if you have worked at a brand name company

 

• Include personal interests at the end of the resume to give resume reviewers something interesting to read about

 

If you need professional help crafting the perfect resume that will land you interviews, check out our resume review and editing service.

 

2. Create an application plan

 

Once you have perfected your resume, identify which pre-MBA programs you’d like to apply to. Since pre-MBA programs can be quite selective and competitive, we recommend applying to as many programs as you have the time for.

 

Once you’ve identified the pre-MBA programs you’re interested in, make a list of the deadlines to apply to each program. You should know that some pre-MBA programs review applications on a rolling-basis, so it is better to apply to these programs as early as possible.

 

Based on the list of deadlines, you can prioritize which pre-MBA programs to apply to first. Many pre-MBA programs will ask you to write short essays, so make sure you take into account the time needed to outline, draft, and finalize these essays.

 

Lastly, keep track of the interview dates so that you ensure that your schedule is open to accommodate them.

 

3. Prepare for behavioral interviews

 

Behavioral interview questions are the most commonly asked interview questions for pre-MBA programs that have an interview component.

 

Behavioral questions ask you to draw upon a time or experience in the past in which you demonstrated a particular quality or trait. For example, you may be asked common behavioral questions such as:

 

• 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 that you solved using data

 

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

 

To answer behavioral questions well, follow these guidelines:

 

• Prepare 6-8 different stories in advance that draw upon your professional and personal work experiences. This ensures that you have prepared answers and stories that you can draw upon no matter what behavioral question is asked

 

• Only select and share experiences that are the most impressive, impactful, or unique. You want to showcase the highlights of your experiences, not just any experience that is relevant

 

• Make sure that you the stories you prepare are collectively diverse. You’ll want to have at least one story that is relevant to leadership, teamwork, problem solving, resilience, integrity, decision making, communication, and interpersonal skills

 

• Structure your answer to help keep your answer clear and easy to follow. Most candidates use the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result

 

• When giving your answer, cover the Situation and Task sections quickly and spend most of your time focusing on the Action and Result

 

If you want to learn how to answer 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours, check out our behavioral interview course.

 

Recommended Resources to Get Into Consulting Pre-MBA Programs

 

If you’re interested or curious about a career in consulting, we highly recommend that you take advantage of all of the pre-MBA programs. There is no cost or risk in applying to any consulting pre-MBA program.

 

To give yourself the best chance of being accepted into consulting pre-MBA programs, we recommend looking into the resources below:

 

For help landing interviews

• Resume Review & Editing: Transform your resume into one that will get you multiple consulting interviews

 

For help passing case interviews

 

• Comprehensive Case Interview Course (our #1 recommendation): The only resource you need. Whether you have no business background, rusty math skills, or are short on time, this step-by-step course will transform you into a top 1% caser that lands multiple consulting offers.

 

• Case Interview Coaching: Personalized, one-on-one coaching with a former Bain interviewer.

 

• Hacking the Case Interview Book (available on Amazon): Perfect for beginners that are short on time. Transform yourself from a stressed-out case interview newbie to a confident intermediate in under a week. Some readers finish this book in a day and can already tackle tough cases.

 

• The Ultimate Case Interview Workbook (available on Amazon): Perfect for intermediates struggling with frameworks, case math, or generating business insights. No need to find a case partner – these drills, practice problems, and full-length cases can all be done by yourself.

 

For help passing consulting behavioral & fit interviews

 

• Behavioral & Fit Interview Course: Be prepared for 98% of behavioral and fit questions in just a few hours. We'll teach you exactly how to draft answers that will impress your interviewer.