Harvard Business School to Boston Consulting Group
Complete guide for HBS MBA students targeting BCG
MBA Recruiting Advantage
As an MBA student at HBS, you benefit from structured on-campus recruiting (OCR) with BCG. The firm conducts dedicated presentations, coffee chats, and interviews on campus. 28% of class enters consulting, making HBS a top target school for BCG.
About HBS
Boston, MA
MBA
28% of class enters consulting
10 firms actively recruit
Extensive alumni network across all MBB offices globally with active mentorship programs
BCG Recruiting at HBS
150-250
15-25%
Very high
BCG actively recruits at HBS, conducting on-campus events and interviews. The highly competitive process means thorough preparation is essential.
Recruiting Timeline
OCR begins September, first-round interviews in October, offers by November
BCG Interview Process
Candidate-led format where you drive the case from start to finish. You propose the structure and decide what to analyze next.
Case Format
Candidate-Led
Rounds
2 rounds, 40-50 minutes each
Behavioral Component
Behavioral questions integrated throughout the interview, focusing on leadership, impact, and teamwork.
What Makes BCG Different
Tips for HBS Students
- 1Practice with Casey, BCG's AI chatbot, to get familiar with their case style
- 2Prepare for candidate-led cases with strong hypothesis-driven approaches
- 3Showcase leadership and impact stories that demonstrate BCG's collaborative values
- 4Leverage HBS's consulting club for peer practice and alumni connections
- 5Connect with HBS alumni currently at BCG for insider tips
- 6Apply early in the recruiting cycle when more spots are available
- 7Attend all firm events on campus to demonstrate genuine interest
Networking Strategy
For HBS MBA students targeting BCG, networking should start immediately. Attend the BCG presentation during orientation week and sign up for coffee chats with consultants. Extensive alumni network across all MBB offices globally with active mentorship programs Reach out to HBS alumni at BCG through LinkedIn - most are happy to share their experiences and advice. Join case competition teams to demonstrate your skills to recruiters. Remember that BCG values genuine interest over transactional networking, so focus on learning about the firm rather than just asking for referrals.
Prepare for Your BCG Interview
Practice with voice-powered case simulations tailored to BCG's candidate-led format.
Start Practicing