Consulting Insight Programs and How to Get Them

Who is This Guide For?

This guide is for driven college students looking to launch their consulting careers. Whether you're new to the field (and don’t know what to do career wise!) or are already focused on consulting, these insight programs provide invaluable opportunities to gain practical insights, enhance key skills, and increase your chances of securing a competitive consulting internship.

Why Consulting?

• Exposure to Diverse Industries and Business Challenges: Consulting allows you to work across a variety of sectors, so you can discover what interests you and best suits your skill set.
• Accelerated Skill Development: You’ll quickly grow in problem-solving and strategic thinking, and build your toolkit.
  • It’s often said that “1 year consulting = 3 years internal experience.”
• High Earning Potential: At MBB firms (McKinsey, Bain, BCG), first year analysts can make upwards of $130,000.  
• Advanced Degree Support: Top firms often sponsor MBAs, allowing you to pursue higher education at a discounted or free rate.
• Elite Networking Opportunities: After collaborating alongside high-potential individuals and clients, you can leverage a powerful network for your career goals.

If any of these sectors of consulting interest you, you’ll want to check out these insight programs. Below is a list of programs that have been historically offered, however timelines vary year-to-year! ⬇️

McKinsey & Company - McKinsey Ignite

McKinsey Ignite is an exclusive program designed for undergraduate women with an interest in consulting. It aims to empower and inspire the next generation of female leaders by offering participants a glimpse into life at McKinsey and a chance to connect with women excelling in the field.

This half-day event includes panel discussions, skill-building workshops, and opportunities to network with women leaders at McKinsey. It usually takes place on each college campus, led by McKinsey consultants on the campus recruiting team.

Application Deadline: Expected March 2025 (must fill out Connect with McKinsey resume drop form!)
Application Details: Learn more here

McKinsey & Company - McKinsey Inspire

McKinsey Insight is a two-day virtual workshop designed for students pursuing advanced degrees in STEM, healthcare, or related fields. This program offers participants a firsthand look at management consulting and life at McKinsey. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with professionals who share similar academic backgrounds and explore consulting as a career option.

Application Deadline: Expected Early 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

McKinsey & Company - Up Next/El Futuro

Up Next and El Futuro First Year Leadership Summits are sponsored by McKinsey's Black and Indigenous Networks, designed for first-year college students from underrepresented backgrounds.

The summit features leadership workshops, mentorship opportunities, and interactive sessions to help participants better understand consulting and develop professional skills.

Application Deadline: Expected March 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

McKinsey & Company - LAUNCH Leadership Incubator

The LAUNCH Leadership Incubator, sponsored by the McKinsey Black Network, is designed to empower students who are part of this community to develop their leadership capabilities and explore careers in consulting. The program offers hands-on workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities.

Application Deadline: Expected March 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

McKinsey & Company - Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program (SSBA)

The Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program is a prestigious internship opportunity for second-year college students interested in consulting. Over 8-10 weeks, interns work alongside McKinsey consultants on real client projects, gaining hands-on experience and developing problem-solving skills. Successful interns will receive a full-time return offer after graduation.

Application Deadline: Early October
Application Details: Learn more here

Bain & Company - Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL) Program

Bain’s Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL) Program is a five-day summer internship designed for sophomore students from underrepresented groups. The program offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience consulting at Bain, develop critical business skills, and start building your network within the company.

Participants in the BEL Program work closely with Bain professionals on real-world projects, gaining insights into Bain’s culture and consulting work

Application Deadline: Expected January 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Bain & Company - Connecting & Resourcing Empowered Women (CREW) Program

The Connecting & Resourcing Empowered Women (CREW) Program is a 1.5-day event for sophomore women interested in consulting. It is designed to empower participants with insights into the consulting industry, Bain’s culture, and how to navigate the consulting recruiting process.

CREW provides opportunities to network with successful women at Bain, participate in interactive workshops, and learn valuable career skills to jumpstart your consulting journey.

Application Deadline: Expected November 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Bain & Company - Consulting Kickstart

Bain’s Consulting Kickstart is a 1.5-day program designed for freshman diversity candidates who are interested in learning more about the consulting profession. The program provides an introduction to Bain’s work and culture, along with guidance on navigating the consulting recruiting process.

Participants engage in interactive case workshops, network with Bain professionals, and gain valuable insights to help them prepare for future internship and career opportunities.

Application Deadline: Expected April 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Bain & Company - Freshman Leadership Accelerator (FLA)

The Freshman Leadership Accelerator (FLA) is a program designed to introduce first-year students to Bain and the consulting industry. This event provides a unique opportunity to build leadership skills, explore consulting as a career, and connect with Bain professionals.

Participants in the FLA Program attend leadership workshops, learn problem-solving strategies, and engage in networking activities to prepare for future internships and career opportunities at Bain.

Application Deadline: Expected January 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - BCG Advance

BCG Advance is a one-week program designed exclusively for sophomore women who are interested in exploring a career in consulting. This program offers participants a comprehensive introduction to BCG’s work, culture, and impact, while also equipping them with the skills needed to navigate the consulting recruitment process.

Participants engage in interactive workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities, making it an ideal platform for aspiring consultants to gain insights and start building meaningful connections within BCG.

Application Deadline: Expected March 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - Growing Future Leaders

Growing Future Leaders is BCG’s summer internship program tailored for sophomore students from underrepresented groups. Over 10 weeks, participants work on real client projects, gaining hands-on consulting experience and invaluable mentorship from BCG professionals.

This program provides an excellent opportunity to deepen your understanding of consulting, develop key professional skills, and establish connections that could lead to a future full-time offer.

Application Deadline: Mid September 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - Bridge to Consulting

BCG’s Bridge to Consulting is a two-day program designed for freshman and sophomore students from diverse backgrounds who are curious about consulting as a career. This program provides participants with a first-hand look at BCG’s work, culture, and people.

Through case workshops, interactive sessions, and networking events, participants gain valuable insights into the consulting profession and guidance on how to prepare for future internship opportunities.

Application Deadline: Expected March 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

FTI Consulting - IMPACT Summer Leadership Program

The IMPACT Summer Leadership Program is a two-day immersive experience for sophomore students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in exploring careers in consulting. This program offers participants the chance to engage with FTI Consulting professionals, develop leadership skills, and gain insights into the consulting industry.

Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on activities, participants will leave the program with a clearer understanding of consulting and the tools needed to succeed in the recruitment process.

Application Deadline: Mid October 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Oliver Wyman - Women's Leadership Series

The Women’s Leadership Series is a program designed to inspire and empower female students interested in consulting. Through this program, participants engage in workshops, networking events, and leadership development sessions, all while gaining insights into the consulting industry and Oliver Wyman’s work.

This series provides a supportive environment where participants can connect with women leaders at Oliver Wyman and learn how to navigate the path to a successful consulting career.

Application Deadline: Expected October 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

Oliver Wyman - First-Year Immersion Program

The First-Year Immersion Program is designed for freshman students looking to explore a career in consulting. This program provides participants with a comprehensive introduction to Oliver Wyman’s culture, projects, and people through interactive workshops, mentorship opportunities, and networking events.

Participants will gain insights into consulting as a career and learn how to position themselves for future internship and full-time opportunities.

Application Deadline: October 31, 2024
Application Details: Learn more here

Deloitte - Consulting Immersion Program

The Consulting Immersion Program by Deloitte is designed for diverse MBA/Master's students who are interested in learning more about consulting and Deloitte’s culture. This program helps participants develop their professional skills, engage in interactive workshops, and connect with Deloitte professionals across various industries.

Application Deadline: October 27, 2024
Application Details: Learn more here

Deloitte - Leadership Allyship & Mentorship Program (DLAMP)

The Leadership Allyship & Mentorship Program (DLAMP) by Deloitte is for diverse sophomore students interested in consulting. Participants will join a cohort of students from 30+ universities, and be paired with junior and senior-level mentors at Deloitte.

Application Deadline: Varies by campus and recruiting team (over 30 universities), usually January - February.
Application Details: You'll hear from your campus' recruiting team!

Ernst & Young (EY) - Expedition EY

Expedition EY is a virtual experience for freshman and sophomore students from underrepresented backgrounds who are exploring careers in professional services and consulting. This program offers participants the chance to learn about EY’s culture, network with professionals, and engage in career development workshops.

Application Deadline: Expected January 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) - Black Talent in Business (Consulting)

PwC’s Black Talent in Business program is a three-day immersive experience designed for sophomore students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in consulting. The program includes interactive workshops, networking events, and mentorship opportunities to help participants gain a better understanding of consulting and PwC’s culture.

Application Deadline: Rolling
Application Details: Learn more here

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) - Start Internship

PwC’s Start Internship is designed for sophomore students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in exploring careers in professional services, including consulting. This program offers participants hands-on experience, skill-building opportunities, and exposure to PwC’s culture and client work.

Application Deadline: Rolling
Application Details: Learn more here

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) - Women's Consulting Experience

The Women’s Consulting Experience is a unique program by PwC designed to empower undergraduate women interested in exploring a career in consulting. This immersive experience provides participants with valuable insights into PwC’s consulting practice, an introduction to the firm’s culture, and opportunities to build leadership and problem-solving skills.

Participants engage in interactive workshops, case studies, and networking events with PwC professionals, creating a strong foundation for future opportunities in the consulting industry.

Application Deadline: Expected Spring 2025
Application Details: Learn more here

How Should I Prepare for the Application Process?

To have successful applications, you'll want to be intentional by tailoring your resume and preparing for potential virtual interviews:

Research the firm and office: By doing coffee chats or researching, understand the firm’s values and any recent projects or news. 

Prepare behavioral answers: Be ready to discuss your leadership experiences, teamwork, problem-solving skills, and any other traits that are important to the firm. You can use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for impactful answers.

To read all of our tips on some of the most common behavioral interview questions and how to answer them, go here!

Tailor your resume: Consulting firms love seeing quantified impact, and one popular resume format (first popularized by Google) is the X-Y-Z resume format.

Get Started with Simplify Today

Exploring consulting insight programs is an incredible way to build awareness of consulting firms, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and build a strong foundation for long-term career growth. Many top firms offer these programs to connect you early on and accelerate your learning.

One drawback to the consulting recruiting process is its length—like most internship roles, consulting applications are long, and ask for information you've probably entered 100+ times while applying to different roles. Don't worry though, we've got your back – save some time with our free browser extension, which helps you autofill your applications (McKinsey and 100,000+ other roles). Best of luck with the job search!