Cassi McLemore
Former BCG Recruiter
Coming from one of the McKinsey target schools can give you an edge in the consulting recruiting process. These schools are often the first place McKinsey looks when searching for top-tier talent, providing students with exclusive opportunities and direct access to recruiters.
McKinsey is one of the most sought-after consulting firms, attracting top talent from schools around the world. So what does it mean for you if you’re attending one of these McKinsey target schools?
Or if you’re not?
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- What MBB target schools are and why they play a crucial role in consulting recruiting
- The advantages of attending McKinsey target schools
- A list of McKinsey target schools for undergrad and MBA students
- 3 actionable tips to succeed in the McKinsey application, regardless of your school
Let’s get started!
McKinsey Target Schools
“Consulting target schools” refer to universities and colleges where firms like McKinsey invest significant resources to attract and recruit top talent. These schools generally have many alumni working at the firm, rigorous and highly regarded academic programs, and a track record of producing exceptional candidates.
Why Does McKinsey Have Target Schools?
McKinsey focuses on target schools as part of its recruiting strategy to identify and hire the best candidates. This approach assumes that attending a competitive university indicates an ability to excel in high-pressure environments, tackle complex problems, and demonstrate leadership. While McKinsey hires plenty of candidates from non-target schools, target schools offer access to:
Prescreened Talent Pool: Getting into a top-tier school typically requires impressive academic performance, significant extracurricular involvement, and a competitive spirit, which are all qualities that McKinsey expects of its consultants.
Strong Alumni Network: Current consultants from these schools help lead on-campus recruiting efforts and engage with prospective candidates, allowing McKinsey to identify top talent.
Rigorous Academic Programs: Programs at target schools are known for their challenging curriculum, which can prepare students for the analytical and strategic thinking required at McKinsey.
How to Know If Your School Is a Target School
There’s no official list of McKinsey target schools, but it’s easy to determine if your college is one:
Recruiting Pages: Check McKinsey’s website for school-specific pages that list recruiting events, application deadlines, and contact information for campus recruiters.
On-Campus Presence: Target schools often host McKinsey’s recruiters and consultants for events such as case workshops, info sessions, and coffee chats.
Alumni Connections: Search LinkedIn for alumni from your school who are working at McKinsey. A significant number of alumni can be a strong indicator.
Direct Recruitment: If McKinsey representatives actively promote job opportunities at your school, it’s likely a target institution.
Undergraduate vs. MBA Target Schools
McKinsey’s target schools vary based on the level of education.
Undergraduate Programs: McKinsey’s undergraduate recruiting program includes highly selective universities known for producing well-rounded candidates with analytical skills. Examples include Ivy League institutions, top public universities, and elite liberal arts colleges.
MBA Programs: McKinsey’s MBA recruiting focuses on top-ranked business schools globally, such as those within the M7 (a group of top U.S. MBA programs), as well as leading international institutions.
Are There Target Schools for Specific Practices?
While McKinsey does not typically differentiate target schools by practice areas, some roles may prioritize candidates with specialized backgrounds:
Engineering and Analytics: Candidates from top engineering schools may be favored for roles requiring deep technical expertise, such as analytics or operations.
Marketing and Consumer Insights: Students attending business schools with strong marketing programs might have an edge for consumer-facing consulting roles.
However, McKinsey’s generalist model means that most hires are evaluated for their overall problem-solving abilities and leadership potential, regardless of specific school programs.
Why McKinsey Target Schools Have an Edge in Recruitment
When it comes to landing a consulting role at McKinsey, attending a target school can provide advantages.
Exclusive Access to On-Campus Recruiting Events
Target schools enjoy an unparalleled level of access to McKinsey’s recruiting process. These institutions host on-campus recruiting events like information sessions, case workshops, and coffee chats. These events provide students with direct access to McKinsey consultants and recruiters, offering insights into the firm’s culture, work, and expectations.
Networking Opportunities with Alumni
Students at target schools benefit from a robust network of alumni who landed at McKinsey. Alumni often return to their alma maters to represent the firm, participate in recruiting events, and mentor aspiring consultants. This alumni connection is invaluable as they can provide insights into the recruitment process, and give personalized advice.
Invitation-Only Workshops and Programs
McKinsey often hosts exclusive workshops and leadership programs for students at target schools. These initiatives, such as McKinsey’s Insight or Next Generation Women Leaders programs, are designed to identify and cultivate top talent long before the application deadline.
Higher Visibility to Recruiters
McKinsey recruiters dedicate significant resources to target schools, which means applicants’ resumes receive close attention. In contrast, applicants from non-target schools may face more hurdles to receive the same level of attention.
Tailored Preparation Resources
At target schools, career centers and consulting clubs often have tailored resources for McKinsey applicants. These include case prep workshops, resume reviews, and mock interviews designed with McKinsey’s recruitment process in mind.
Prestige and Credibility
McKinsey’s focus on target schools stems from their reputation for academic rigor, leadership development, and producing high-caliber graduates. Attending a target school serves as a signal to recruiters of your potential to succeed in a competitive and challenging environment.
Exclusive Free Training on passing consulting case interview.
Not at a Target School? Further Resources
If you’re reading this and realize you’re not from a target school, fear not! McKinsey can’t send consultants to every college campus, but they hire plenty of consultants from non-target schools. Check out our article on Applying to Consulting Firms from Non-Target Schools for specific tips to level the playing field and make your application stand out.
McKinsey Target Schools: Undergrad
Interestingly, most U.S. candidates do not have undergraduate business degrees. Unlike Canada or other international contexts where business is a common undergraduate major, U.S. candidates often come from diverse academic backgrounds, like economics, engineering, political science, psychology, mathematics, or natural sciences. This diversity reflects McKinsey’s value of critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills, which can be learned in a variety of disciplines.
In the United States, McKinsey’s target schools typically include:
- Ivy League universities (e.g., Harvard)
- Top private universities (e.g., Stanford)
- Elite liberal arts colleges (e.g., Amherst)
- Flagship public universities (e.g., UC Berkeley)
Internationally, hires with undergraduate business degrees are more common. McKinsey also maintains a strong recruitment pipeline in schools in other countries, such as Canada and the UK.
For more information on recruitment timelines, application tips, and how to stand out, visit McKinsey Careers.
McKinsey Target Schools: MBA
To get an opportunity to interview at McKinsey, MBA candidates typically aim for top-ranked business schools, including the “M7” schools and other highly regarded programs globally.
McKinsey Target Business Schools - U.S.
The “M7” refers to seven of the most elite MBA programs worldwide, recognized for their prestige, competitive admissions, and strong placement in consulting firms like McKinsey:
- Harvard Business School (HBS)
- Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
- Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
- Columbia Business School (CBS)
- Booth School of Business, University of Chicago
- MIT Sloan School of Management
McKinsey also recruits from other prestigious U.S. MBA programs. Scroll down to the table below to see all the schools McKinsey typically hires from.
McKinsey Target Business Schools - International
McKinsey actively recruits from top-tier business schools outside the U.S. Although we have a list of some McKinsey target MBA schools below, it may change depending on geographic needs, so check your business school’s resource center for the most up-to-date news on McKinsey recruiting.
3 Tips to Maximize Your McKinsey Application, No Matter Your School
While attending a target school can provide certain advantages, candidates from all backgrounds have a fair shot if they take the right steps to stand out.
1. Showcase a Consistent Track Record of Excellence
McKinsey values candidates with a history of success, whether it’s in academics, leadership roles, or professional achievements.
Strong Academic Performance: You can showcase this by emphasizing achievements such as maintaining a strong GPA, excelling in a demanding schedule of academics and extracurriculars, or earning honors and scholarships.
Leadership and Impact: Highlight roles where you’ve led initiatives or contributed significantly to measurable outcomes, whether through student organizations, work experiences, or volunteer efforts.
Professional Experience: Even if your experience isn’t consulting-related, highlight skills that align with consulting work, such as problem-solving, data analysis, and strategic thinking.
2. Craft a Tailored and Impactful Resume and Cover Letter
Your resume and cover letter are your first opportunity to make an impression, so they need to be polished and tailored specifically for McKinsey.
For the resume, use McKinsey’s preferred format: clear, concise, and results-oriented. Focus on quantifiable achievements rather than tasks. For example, instead of saying “Managed a team of interns,” say: “Increased client sales by 15% by leading a team of 6 interns to develop a marketing strategy.” Highlight skills relevant to consulting, such as problem-solving, teamwork, and quantitative analysis.
In your cover letter, provide examples to show how your skills and experiences align with McKinsey’s values. Choose 3 or 4 of their values to tell impactful stories, whether professional, academic, or personal.
If you want to learn more, check out our guides on writing winning Consulting Resumes and Consulting Cover Letters.
3. Prepare Thoroughly for the McKinsey Recruitment Process
McKinsey’s recruitment process is rigorous, but preparation can make all the difference.
Network Strategically: Reach out to current consultants or alumni from your school who work at McKinsey. Attend events, webinars, and info sessions to learn more about the firm and demonstrate your interest long before the application deadline.
Ace the McKinsey Solve Assessment: This will test your ability to solve complex problems under time constraints. Practice with sample tests and develop strategies to manage your time effectively.
Master the Case Interview: Case interviews are a key step in McKinsey’s hiring process. Focus on structuring your approach to problems, communicating clearly and confidently, and demonstrating logical thinking and quantitative analysis skills. Here’s Our Ultimate Guide to Case Interview Prep for all you need to know.
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In this article, we’ve covered:
- The definition of MBB target schools and why they matter in consulting recruiting
- Key benefits of attending a McKinsey target school
- A breakdown of McKinsey target schools for both undergrad and MBA programs
- 3 actionable strategies to strengthen your McKinsey application
Still have questions?
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