Prior to joining Wharton, some students choose to participate in pre-MBA programs and internships for early career exploration, or to build their network. Pre-MBA internships and experiences are not a required part of the Wharton MBA Program, but many students find they help build confidence and a career network before starting their MBA.
Opportunities to participate in pre-MBA programs will be posted here as we learn of them.
WHAT IS A PRE-MBA INTERNSHIP AND SHOULD I PURSUE ONE?
There are two typical types of Pre-MBA internships. The first is offered by larger, established companies who provide structured experiences that may carry through into an MBA summer internship opportunity, acceptance of which may be obligatory. The second is Pre-MBA internships that are typically secured through networking and are focused on gaining industry or functional experience with no expectation or obligation of an MBA summer internship position.
The decision to pursue and/or accept a pre-MBA internship is left to the discretion of each admitted student. Individuals should not feel that it is necessary to conduct a Pre-MBA internship (structured or unstructured) in order to be successful in recruiting for summer internships or full-time positions while at Wharton. At Wharton, you will be provided with numerous academic, social, and leadership opportunities to grow your professional skill set. You will also have access to a best-in-class career management team that will help you devise and implement a strategic and successful job search.
Occasionally, companies will host receptions to congratulate the incoming members of top MBA programs. These events will also be posted on this list.
CAN I CONTACT MBA CAREER MANAGEMENT ABOUT PRE-MBA INTERNSHIPS?
As MBA Career Management (MBACM) is dedicated to supporting current students in their search for summer and full-time opportunities, the team is unable to support the search process surrounding Pre-MBA internships. MBACM looks forward to working with admitted students once they arrive in Philadelphia for Pre-Term.
If you are in conversation with a company about a summer internship during your first year as an MBA (i.e. next summer), we recommend that you speak with a career advisor before making a decision and finalizing your plans. If you receive a first year summer internship offer before arriving to campus in the fall, please contact us so we can assist you.
Current Pre-MBA Opportunities
P&G MBA Brand Emerging Leaders
Come learn from the World’s Best Marketers during Procter & Gamble’s MBA Brand Emerging Leaders program. This is a hybrid program with 3 virtual sessions in July and a 3-day visit to Cincinnati in September. MBA candidates entering their first year of business school who desire a career in Marketing or General Management are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline: June 21, 2024
Apply here: https://www.pgcareers.com/us/en/job/R000101736/MBA-Brand-Emerging-Leaders-2025-Internship
BCG Unlock: Summer Learning Program
BCG Unlock is a summer learning program that introduces incoming MBAs to the insights and experiences that make BCG unique. Through BCG Unlock, you can get a head start on the Fall recruiting internship season, building your skills and growing your network through a series of virtual events.
BCG Unlock programming is optional and virtual, designed to easily fit into your summer schedule even if you are still working full-time.
Register here by April 28, 2024.
BCG Empower: 3-day Workshop
BCG Empower is an invite-only, three-day deep-dive into the world of consulting for selected participants who identify as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native American/Alaska Native/Indigenous.
To learn more, we encourage you to attend our upcoming info session on Monday, April 2nd from 7:00-8:00pm ET. Join for an interactive webinar to learn more about Empower 2024, hear from former participants, and ask us anything! Register here to receive a Zoom link and additional information. We will also share the recorded session with registrants following the event.
If interested in Empower, please click here to apply in addition to registering for Unlock by Sunday, April 28, 2024. BCG will notify all Empower applicants in late May if they have been invited to participate.
Bain Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE)
This summer, we’re hosting Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE) to connect with pre-MBAs who are interested in joining our next Summer Associate class.
BASE is for Black, Hispanic/Latin American, and/or Indigenous pre-MBA students entering a two-year MBA program in the fall who want to explore life as a consultant. BASE is a launch pad for long-term success where you will:
- Attend Base Camp: Immersive training and case team experience
- Build Community: Cultivate a supportive and diverse network
- Experience Bain’s Culture: Tailored coaching and professional development
Deadline to apply: May 5, 2024
ExperienceBain
We are excited to host ExperienceBain, an opportunity for pre-MBA students from eligible schools who are interested in consulting. Through our events, we hope you learn more about what makes Bain unique and feel more equipped for the fall. ExperienceBain is optional, virtual, and designed to fit around your existing commitments, making it easy to include in your summer schedule.
- Learn about consulting and the work Bain does
- Learn about our culture and connect with Bainies
- Learn about the recruiting process
Deadline to register: May 1, 2024
Evercore Pre-MBA Diversity Program
Evercore’s mission is to attract and retain the most talented individuals of varied backgrounds who reflect the global marketplace that we serve. In support of this mission, The Evercore Pre-MBA Program is an opportunity for individuals matriculating into full-time MBA programs in the Fall of 2024 to learn about Evercore, network with our business professionals, and participate in interview workshops to prepare for the investment banking interview.
Educational Series
This is the first step in the Pre-MBA process to have the opportunity to receive technical training, connect with Evercore representatives, and learn more about the interview process
- Evercore Company Overview: April 23
- Technical Training Sessions: April 27, May 4, May 11
- Interview Preparation Workshop: May 20
Pre-MBA Summit and Networking Reception
This is an invite-only event in our New York office to meet Evercore representatives and continue to learn more about the Firm
- Selected attendees will receive a confirmation email with further event details closer to the event date
- Pre-MBA Reception and Summit (by invitation only): May 14 – 15
Interview Process
Accelerated interview process for the 2025 Investment Banking Summer Associate Internship
- First Round Interview (by invitation only): May 20 – June 14
- Final Round Interview (by invitation only): June 25 – 27
Eligibility and Application Instructions:
- Incoming MBA students (graduating Class of 2026) that identify as Black, Hispanic, Latino, Latinx or Native American are encouraged to apply
- Please submit your application here by Sunday, April 21
- Please see the following page for information on the Diversity Fellowship
Forté MBA Financial Services Fast Track
Get the most out of your MBA with Forté! This conference is for incoming MBA women at Forté partner business schools.
Make an impact with your MBA and find your financial niche. This free conference provides an opportunity to explore the finance industry and the diverse career opportunities available.
May 30-31, 2024
New York City, NY
Early Bird Deadline: April 15
Final Deadline: May 17
Forté MBA Women’s Leadership Conference
Get the most out of your MBA with Forté! This conference is for incoming MBA women at Forté partner business schools.
Competition is fierce — so you should be, too. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with hundreds of incoming MBA women and representatives from leading companies. Start conquering the business world before you begin your MBA program.
June 28-29, 2024
Chicago, IL
Early Bird Deadline: April 26
Final Deadline: June 7
Forté MBA Takeoff
Get the most out of your MBA with Forté! This program is for incoming MBA women at Forté partner business schools.
Successfully navigating your MBA program is about so much more than picking the right classes and getting to know your classmates. Join our MBA Takeoff program to prepare for the unique experience of being a woman in business school. You’ll learn how to balance school with the rest of your life, find your voice in team settings, and prioritize what’s important — everything you need to make a seamless transition back to the classroom.
April 30 – June 11, 2024
Virtual
Because your school is a Forté partner, you get $100 off the registration fee!
Amazon Web Services - HR Leadership Development Program
Do you have a passion for building a career in human resources (HR)? Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a dynamic and rapidly growing business within Amazon and is the global cloud computing leader. AWS is looking for dynamic self-starters to participate in our HR leadership development program (HRLDP) internships. You will work on a challenging and high-visibility project on one of the following teams: Builder Experience Team, Talent & Development, Talent Research, Organizational Effectiveness, Compensation, Employee Relations, Workforce Planning & Analytics, Inclusion, Diversity & Equity (ID&E), or one of our HR Business Partner (HRBP) teams. You will have the opportunity to learn from senior HR leaders, receive mentorship and sponsorship, and build a network of peers, HRLDP alumni, and leaders.
- When: 40 hours/week for 12 consecutive weeks between June 3-August 23, 2024
- Where: Seattle, WA
- How to Apply: Apply Here by April 15, 2024
Road to Kearney Webinar | Consulting 101 Panel
As you begin to think about the upcoming summer internship recruiting season, we hope you will consider a career at Kearney. As a global consulting partnership in more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We’re individuals who take as much joy from those we work with as the work itself. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen, we help our clients break through.
Join our Kearney consultants to learn more about a career in consulting. Our Associates will give you advice on recruiting and walk you through the type of work consultants do.
Thursday, May 2, 2024
5:00 PM – 5:45PM CT
L.E.K Pre-MBA Women Program - Virtual 2024
The L.E.K. Consulting Pre-MBA Women Program is an opportunity for incoming female MBA students to learn more about strategy management consulting as a career path.
This program will be held virtually and feature opportunities to:
- Attend seminars about what a career as a Consultant looks like at L.E.K.
- Network with senior L.E.K. Consultants, Managers and Partners – creating important networking contacts for your future career search
- Participate in practice case interviews
- Receive tips and real-life examples on how to navigate business school and job searches
Program Dates: June 3-4, 2024
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
Apply By: April 26, 2024
L.E.K. Pre-MBA Diversity Program - Virtual 2024
The L.E.K. Consulting Pre-MBA Diversity Program is an opportunity for incoming Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, and Native American MBA students to learn more about strategy management consulting as a career path.
This program will be held virtually and feature opportunities to:
- Attend seminars about what a career as a Consultant looks like at L.E.K.
- Network with senior L.E.K. Consultants, Managers and Partners – creating important networking contacts for your future career search
- Participate in practice case interviews
- Receive tips and real-life examples on how to navigate business school and job searches
Program Dates: June 6-7, 2024
Locations: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
Apply By: April 26, 2024
Strategy& Catalyst
The Strategy& Catalyst: Start your pre-MBA journey
Curious to discover what it takes to work in the dynamic world of strategy consulting? The Strategy& Catalyst offers incoming MBA students an unparalleled look into the life of a consultant in their Middle East Offices and the meaningful work that sets Strategy& apart.
Apply here by May 10, 2024
McKinsey Early Access
All McKinsey Early Access applicants will receive:
- Education on consulting as a profession
- Access to webinars throughout the summer that highlight our firm, our people, and our work
- Information on our 2025 Summer Associate Intern opportunities
- Recruiting tips to help set you up for success as you enter the recruiting season
- Invitations to virtual meet-ups with McKinsey recruiters and/or consultants
- An opportunity to build a peer network with fellow MBA students
- Priority access to Solve (our innovative assessment game)
- The chance to explore our offices in the US, Mexico, Canada, and across the globe
Select McKinsey Early Access applicants will receive the above, as well as:
- Invitations to events and programs hosted by our diversity and inclusion networks, including Inspire and the Women’s Leadership Summit
- Invitations to small group and one-on-one connectivity opportunities (both virtual and in-person) with our colleagues
- An introduction to one of the offices you are most interested in
- Touchpoints with your MBA program’s McKinsey recruiter
To express your interest in McKinsey Early Access, please complete the following form by May 13, 2024.
In order to be considered for Inspire you must indicate interest in the program through the McKinsey Early Access application. When completing the application, you are encouraged to also complete the affinity interest form so that we can tailor your experience and engagement with McKinsey based on those interests.
2024 Inspire (Hosted by McKinsey’s Black, Hispanic & Latino, and Indigenous networks)
We are excited to kickoff Inspire 2024, a program co-hosted by our Black, Hispanic & Latino, and Indigenous at McKinsey networks. Inspire is an immersive two-day event for incoming US MBA students during which attendees will connect with members of our host diversity networks, explore the potential of a career in consulting, and refine their problem-solving and leadership skills. Through interactive activities, case workshops, panels, and networking events, attendees will learn about our work, culture, and people, and hear examples of how we strive to make our firm, clients, and society at large more inclusive and equitable. Attendees will enjoy getting to know peers and McKinsey colleagues during the program and through a series of interview preparation and connectivity sessions following the event.
In order to be considered for these programs, please complete an application by May 13, 2024.
To be considered for Inspire you must indicate interest in the program through the McKinsey Early Access application. When completing the application, you are encouraged to also complete the affinity interest form so that we can tailor your experience and engagement with McKinsey based on those interests.