Consulting Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anybody a JD dropout -> Consulting route or JD -> Consulting for a non-MBB?
I have decent grades from 1L year at a T1 school, but am thinking of dropping out to change my career route. I understand that MBB is pretty much impossible from outside the t14. If anybody has dropped or finished their JD at a non-t14 and went into non-MBB consulting, could you share how you did it?

Industry-wise, Strategy & Ops or Tech.

Sorry for the open ended question, but I understand the "how did you do it" answer may be drastically different for each individual so I just wanted to get a wide variety of feedback
Thanks a bunch!

[jbagelboy]

There are actually a ton of threads on this topic on TLS, some very recent. I recommend the search function.

Tl;dr is that it's not easy - these jobs are not fallback options - but doable if you went to a good feeder college and have decent ug/ls grades and something to bring to the table, either via a networked connection, targeted experience in a relevant field or industry , ect. You also have to drill and dominate case interviews and have a strong personality match since you're outside the normal recruiting pattern.

[Anonymous User]

There are actually a ton of threads on this topic on TLS, some very recent. I recommend the search function.

Tl;dr is that it's not easy - these jobs are not fallback options - but doable if you went to a good feeder college and have decent ug/ls grades and something to bring to the table, either via a networked connection, targeted experience in a relevant field or industry , ect. You also have to drill and dominate case interviews and have a strong personality match since you're outside the normal recruiting pattern.

Thanks for your response! Could you link me to some of those threads? All I've found are ones that generally mention MBB and not any non-MBB. Also, I'm more interested in the "drop out of law school -> analyst" scenario. Is this basically impossible as well?

[mountaintime]

This is tough to do. I suspect dropout to analyst may actually be easier for you. Most consulting firms are difficult to get into if they don't recruit at your school. Maybe check with the b school and undergrad at your LS to figure out when firms will be on campus. Take the initiative and go meet them. You will have an uphill battle, but if you hussle and reach out to alumni on LinkedIn you should be able to get your foot in the door. Check the vault rankings, they all have an online app process, but you'll need to reach out to people directly also. Beware, consulting will be interested in you UG ranking, UG grades, and standardized test scores.

[$$$$$$]

I know a lot of people at my firm that did Non T-14 to Big 4 consulting (i.e. by a lot, I know at least 10). My firm recruits JDs more and more these days, PM if you want details. I can say it is hard to get in, but if you can get a referral and an interview, the job is yours to lose.

Everyone saying your grades matter are wrong, same with your scores. Those matter for MBB, but at a firm like E&Y or PwC, getting in the door and your experiences are way more important.

[Anonymous User]

Lets say I'm at a T15-20 with strong but not stellar grades (Top 20%). Lets also say that I had a 3.8 in a quant major in undergrad, from a strong liberal arts school. I'm considering taking the GMAT during 2L/3L, just to have the score in case I want it.

If I did very well at the GMAT (with so much time to study, lets say 750+) and finish my JD, will this help me get in the door for interviews, if my network isn't very strong?

[$$$$$$]

Lets say I'm at a T15-20 with strong but not stellar grades (Top 20%). Lets also say that I had a 3.8 in a quant major in undergrad, from a strong liberal arts school. I'm considering taking the GMAT during 2L/3L, just to have the score in case I want it.

If I did very well at the GMAT (with so much time to study, lets say 750+) and finish my JD, will this help me get in the door for interviews, if my network isn't very strong?

You actually sound like you have a shot at Biglaw. If you don't want biglaw, then definitely apply to MBB (grades and scores matter way more for getting in the door). If you went to a strong LAC, try networking with alumni from there. Firms you should look at are MBB, Deloitte, PwC, E&Y, AT Kerny, Oliver Wyman, Parthenon, LEK and Accenture. These are a big step above the rest (may have forgetten a few).

[Anonymous User]

Lets say I'm at a T15-20 with strong but not stellar grades (Top 20%). Lets also say that I had a 3.8 in a quant major in undergrad, from a strong liberal arts school. I'm considering taking the GMAT during 2L/3L, just to have the score in case I want it.

If I did very well at the GMAT (with so much time to study, lets say 750+) and finish my JD, will this help me get in the door for interviews, if my network isn't very strong?

You actually sound like you have a shot at Biglaw. If you don't want biglaw, then definitely apply to MBB (grades and scores matter way more for getting in the door). If you went to a strong LAC, try networking with alumni from there. Firms you should look at are MBB, Deloitte, PwC, E&Y, AT Kerny, Oliver Wyman, Parthenon, LEK and Accenture. These are a big step above the rest (may have forgetten a few).

Yeah, I'm really trying to get Big Law. I didn't even know consulting was a possible career path before law school (didn't consider options but law during undergrad). After reading into it, I'd be equally happy doing both. So, this is more like my second main plan now, haha.

[Anonymous User]

Lets say I'm at a T15-20 with strong but not stellar grades (Top 20%). Lets also say that I had a 3.8 in a quant major in undergrad, from a strong liberal arts school. I'm considering taking the GMAT during 2L/3L, just to have the score in case I want it.

If I did very well at the GMAT (with so much time to study, lets say 750+) and finish my JD, will this help me get in the door for interviews, if my network isn't very strong?

I'm the original Anon. Welcome to the club. I had no idea about consulting until half way through my 1L year. My new transfer school will be T15-20 and I'm 35%. quant (STEM) major in undergrad from strong engineering school. No work experience though, and I'm taking the GMAT sometime soon.