Top 15 Summer Analyst Programs For Consulting

Who is This Guide For?

This guide is for ambitious college students interested in kick starting their careers in consulting. Whether you’re exploring the industry or want to build on prior experience, these consulting programs offer the opportunity to gain real-world experience, develop crucial skills, and potentially secure a full-time return offer.

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 summer analyst programs. Below is a list of programs that have been historically offered, however timelines vary year-to-year! ⬇️

1. McKinsey & Company

Location: Global presence with offices in over 130 cities worldwide. Headquarters in New York City

Type: Management and Strategy consulting

Firm Size: 45,000 employees

Unique Feature: The Sophomore Summer Business Analyst program focuses on exposing members of historically underrepresented groups to management consulting

Internships Offered:

• Sophomore Summer Business Analyst (SSBA) Program
• Summer Business Analyst Internship
• Summer Associate Internship (MBA)

Application Timeline:

• Sophomore Summer Business Analyst: Deadline October 7, 2024
• Summer Business Analyst: Deadline September 12, 2024
• Summer Associate: Deadline November 14, 2024

Interview Tips: McKinsey's career page

McKinsey's interview process focuses on behavioral skills and problem-solving abilities. They recommend preparing two personal examples demonstrating skills in four behavioral areas: personal impact, entrepreneurial drive, inclusive leadership, and courageous change.

2. Bain & Company

Location: Global presence with offices in over 65 cities worldwide. Headquarters in Boston, with major offices in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

Type: Management consulting, strategy, private equity.

Firm Size: 19,000 employees.

Unique Feature: Strong focus on employee experience and tailored solutions for clients.

Internships Offered:

• Associate Consultant Internship (ACI) for undergraduates.
• Summer Associate Program for MBA students.

Application Timeline:

• Associate Consultant Internship: Deadline typically in January - February.
• Summer Associate Program: Deadline typically in December - January.

Interview Tips: Bain's career page

Bain's interview process focuses on case interviews and experience interviews. They recommend practicing case interviews, developing a structured approach to problem-solving, and preparing personal examples that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, and impact. Bain also uses a written case interview in some offices, where candidates analyze information and create recommendation slides within a time limit.

3. Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Location: 128 offices in over 45 countries. Major offices in Boston, San Francisco, New York, London, and Chicago.

Type: Strategy, management, digital transformation, operations management.

Firm Size: 32,000 employees.

Unique Feature: Diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Internships Offered:

• Summer Associate Internship (for undergraduates).
• Summer Consultant Program (for MBA students).

Application Timeline:

• Usually two deadlines, either mid-July or early September.

Interview Tips: BCG's career page

BCG's interview process includes behavioral interviews and case interviews. Candidates should expect to solve client problems during case interviews, demonstrating logical and creative thinking, quick math skills, and the ability to build on others' ideas. Some offices may include a written case study where candidates analyze information and create recommendation slides within a time limit. BCG recommends practicing case interviews and preparing personal examples that showcase leadership, teamwork, and impact.

4. Deloitte

Location: Over 150 offices worldwide, with a presence in more than 100 countries.

Type: Strategy, operations, human capital, technology, financial services.

Firm Size: 460,000 employees.

Unique Feature: Opportunities for mentorship and exposure to various facets of the business.

Internships Offered:

• Discovery Internship (for freshmen and sophomores).
• Summer Scholar (Strategy).
• Business Technology Solutions Internship.
• Summer Associate Internship (for MBA students).

Application Timeline:

• Discovery Internship: Around mid-April, but applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Other internship deadlines vary; check Deloitte’s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: Deloitte's career page

Deloitte's interview process typically includes behavioral interviews and case interviews. For consulting roles, expect to solve client problems during case interviews. The firm looks for candidates who can demonstrate clear communication, confidence, and structured thinking.

5. L.E.K. Consulting

Location: Over 20 cities worldwide.

Type: Strategy consulting.

Firm Size: 2,200+ employees.

Unique Feature: Strong focus on healthcare and life sciences, particularly in the U.S.

Internships Offered:

• Summer Associate Program (for undergraduates between junior and senior years).
• Summer Consultant Program (for MBA students between first and second year).

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary; check L.E.K.'s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: L.E.K.'s career page

L.E.K.'s interview process typically includes two rounds. The first round can be conducted on campus or over the phone, while the second round takes place at their offices with senior staff members.

6. PwC / Strategy&

Location: Offices in 150+ countries.

Type: Management consulting, strategy, accounting, and professional services.

Firm Size: 328,000+ employees (PwC global).

Unique Feature: Combines PwC's extensive implementation expertise with Strategy&'s high-level strategy consulting, offering a comprehensive range of services.

Internships Offered:

• START (sophomores).
• Advance (juniors, completed START).
• Management Consulting Intern.
• Strategy&: Enterprise Strategy & Value Intern.

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary; check PwC’s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: PwC's career page

The process can include a "superday" featuring up to three rounds of interviews with managers, directors, and potentially senior partners. These interviews combine technical and behavioral questions, and may include case interviews focused on simple business problems. Some applicants, particularly undergraduate sophomores, might participate in a group case exercise.

7. EY (Ernst & Young) / EY-Parthenon

Location: Offices in over 150 countries worldwide.

Type: Assurance, consulting, strategy, tax, transactions, and technology services.

Firm Size: 395,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Emphasis on building a better working world through integrity, respect, and teamwork.

Internships Offered:

• Summer Associate.
• Emerging Leaders Program.

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary; check EY’s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: EY's career page

The process focuses on assessing candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. EY uses a combination of behavioral and case interviews.

8. Bank of America

Location: Multiple locations including Charlotte, NC; Boston, MA; New York, NY.

Type: Strategy, management, financial services, and technology.

Firm Size: Over 200,000 employees globally.

Unique Feature: Elite two-year development program that prepares teammates to become future corporate leaders, providing direct experience in Digital Technologies, FinTech, Strategy, Innovation, and Management.

Internships Offered:

• Strategy & Management Summer Analyst Program.
• Strategy & Management Summer Associate Program.

Application Timeline:

• Applications typically open in the late summer (July - August), with a mid-October deadline.

Interview Tips: Bank of America's career page

The interview process focuses on assessing candidates' problem-solving abilities, strategic thinking, and cultural fit. Bank of America places significant emphasis on teamwork, innovation, and the ability to drive high-priority initiatives.

9. Oliver Wyman

Location: Offices in 70+ cities and 30+ countries.

Type: Management consulting, strategy, financial services.

Firm Size: 7,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Impact-driven approach, encouraging entrepreneurial people to lead their work.

Internships Offered:

• Summer Analyst.

Application Timeline:

• Applications typically open in the late spring (March - April), with a mid-May deadline.

Interview Tips: Oliver Wyman's career page

Oliver Wyman places significant emphasis on cultural fit and the ability to demonstrate their four key characteristics throughout the interview process: Be Brave, Lead With Heart, Strive For Breakthroughs, and Work As One.

10. FTI Consulting

Location: Offices in 85+ cities and 34+ countries.

Type: Business advisory services, including forensic and litigation consulting, economic consulting, technology, strategic communications, and corporate finance.

Firm Size: 8,300+ employees.

Unique Feature: Offers specialized expertise across multiple industries and practice areas, including a focus on technology and data-driven solutions.

Internships Offered:

• Business Analyst Intern.
• FTI Delta Consultant Intern | Strategy Consulting TMT.

Application Timeline:

• Applications typically open in the late spring (March - April), with a mid-May deadline.

Interview Tips: FTI's career page

FTI Consulting places significant emphasis on academic achievement, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work on diverse client engagements.

11. Kearney

Location: Global presence with offices in over 40 countries worldwide.

Type: Management consulting, strategy, operations.

Firm Size: 5,700+ employees.

Unique Feature: Focus on procurement, sourcing, and operations sectors; emphasis on delivering tangible results.

Internships Offered:

• Business Analyst Intern.
• Summer Associate (MBA).

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary; check Kearney's website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: Kearney's career page

Kearney emphasizes quantitative skills, strategic thinking, and delivering impactful solutions to complex business problems.

12. Accenture

Location: Offices in over 200 cities and 120 countries.

Type: Professional services company providing strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations services.

Firm Size: 770,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Extensive focus on technology and digital transformation across various industries.

Internships Offered:

• Technology Summer Analyst Development Program.
• Consulting Summer Analyst Development Program.
• Song Summer Analyst Development Program.
• Strategy Summer Analyst Development Program.

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary; check Accenture’s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: Accenture's career page

Accenture values candidates with a strong academic background and a demonstrated interest in consulting and technology. Be prepared for case study interviews and technical assessments if applicable.

13. Alvarez & Marsal

Location: 80+ offices in 39 countries.

Type: Turnaround management, performance improvement, and business advisory services.

Firm Size: 10,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Deep operational expertise and hands-on approach to deliver comprehensive turnaround management and performance improvement services.

Internships Offered:

• Summer Associate (Consumer and Retail Group, Corporate Performance Improvement).

Application Timeline:

• Deadlines vary, but tend to be mid-September; check A&M’s website for specific dates.

Interview Tips: A&M's career page

A&M values candidates with strong problem-solving abilities, intellectual curiosity, and a wide range of passions and backgrounds.

14. Capital One

Location: Multiple locations including McLean, VA; Richmond, VA; Plano, TX; New York, NY; and Chicago, IL.

Type: Financial services and technology company.

Firm Size: 51,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Strong focus on technology-driven solutions and data analytics in the financial sector.

Internships Offered:

• Business Analyst Intern.
• Analyst Early Intern (Freshmen and Sophomores).

Application Timeline:

• Applications open July - August, staying open for at least 5 business days before they meet capacity.

Interview Tips: Capital One's career page

Capital One values candidates who are curious, committed, up for challenges, communicative, and collaborative.

15. Protiviti

Location: 85+ offices in 25+ countries.

Type: Business performance improvement, risk management, and internal audit.

Firm Size: 11,000+ employees.

Unique Feature: Focus on developing interns across various business areas, providing experience in different industries and technical capabilities.

Internships Offered:

• Business Performance Improvement Intern (4 segments: Finance Performance Management, Financial Reporting & Remediation Compliance, Supply Chain, People Advisory & Organizational Change)

Application Timeline:

• Applications open as early as November the preceding year.

Interview Tips: Protiviti's career page

Protiviti values candidates with strong analytical skills, adaptability, and a desire to work across various industries.

How Should I Prepare for the Interview?

To crush your consulting interviews, you need to cover all your bases:

Research the firm and office: By doing coffee chats or researching, understand the firm’s values, specific office culture, 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!

Learn the frameworks: Familiarize yourself with common consulting frameworks, and practice applying them to unique problems. Structured thinking and clear communication are emphasized heavily in consulting!

Practice mental math: Consulting interviews require quick, accurate calculations in the case-based interview portions. You may be tested in a market sizing or profitability case, so brush up on your mental math.

Master case interviews: These are one of the major differences compared to other roles, as it tests your problem solving skills and ability to communicate. 

Additional Firms to Consider:

• Bates White: Economic consulting
• KPMG: Management and risk consulting
• Booz Allen Hamilton: Management and technology consulting
• Huron: Healthcare and education consulting
• Crowe: Business solutions consulting
• Baker Tilly: Digital and Risk consulting
• West Monroe: Technology and business consulting 
• Charles River Associates: Economic and financial consulting
• The Keystone Group: Manufacturing and operations consulting

Get Started with Simplify Today

Exploring consulting summer analyst programs is an incredible way to gain real-world experience, sharpen your problem-solving skills, and build a strong foundation for long-term career growth. Many top firms offer structured programs designed to immerse you in challenging projects, expose you to diverse industries, and connect you with experienced professionals.

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!