Pre-MBA Programs
These programs and events are recommended by the Johnson MBA Career Management Center (CMC) and would welcome applications from our students. For questions or support, please email the CMC.
Upcoming Events
Opportunities will be shared here as we learn of them, primarily in the spring.
Analysis Group – Ignite@AG: Fuel Your Future Externship (2025 Start Date)
Learn about a career in economic consulting with AG’s immersive summer externship experience for students pursuing advanced degrees. This four-day in-person experience for incoming M.B.A.s and Ph.D. students provides externs with the opportunity to apply analytical skills, tackle a mock case, shadow an associate, receive interview coaching, and network with AG consultants and leaders.
- Location: Boston, MA
- Dates: Monday, July 14 – Thursday, July 17, 2025
- Cost: Includes airfare, lodging, meals, and local transportation
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently accepted into a U.S. based, full-time MBA program or current PhD student, class of 2027
- Passion for using data and analytics to develop solutions to economic, financial, and business challenges
- An inclusive and growth-oriented mindset, strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to work across differences
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively in a team environment and the ability to effectively work independently
- Strong oral and written communication skills, and a focus on attention to detail
- Anyone is welcome to apply, and AG encourages applications from individuals whose backgrounds and experiences have been underrepresented in the economic industry, including students who identify as Black, African American, Hispanic, Latin(a)(e)(o), Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and/or Pacific Islander.
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: APRIL 30TH (Rolling Acceptance)
Bain & Company’s Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE) program will help pre-MBAs explore life as a consultant and learn more about joining their next Summer Associate class. BASE Camp will take place in person during the week of July 21st – 25th or July 28th – August 1st, 2025. Selected participants will only attend one of these weeks.
BASE is a launch pad for learning about consulting and includes:
- BASE CAMP: Explore Bain’s world-class training and case team experience
- BUILD COMMUNITY: Cultivate a supportive and diverse network
- EXPERIENCE BAIN’S CULTURE: Tailored coaching and professional development
Eligibility Requirements:
BASE is for Black, Hispanic/Latin American, or Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Inuit, Métis, and First Nations) pre-MBA students entering a two-year MBA program in the fall who want to explore life as a consultant. You may apply both to ExperienceBain and BASE if you are eligible and interested.
Application Requirements:
- Resume
- Test scores if applicable (not required)
- Bain office(s) of interest
- Digital assessment
- After the application deadline, applicants will receive a link to take the digital assessment.
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: MAY 4TH
Bain & Company’s ExperienceBain program will provide an opportunity for pre-MBA students interested in consulting to learn more about what makes Bain unique and feel more equipped for the fall. Events for ExperienceBain will take place virtually from June to early August, and typically last for 60 minutes. There will be 1-2 events per week, giving you the flexibility to pick and choose based on your interests and questions. Live events will be recorded and will be available to watch over the summer.
- BE MORE INSPIRED: Learn about consulting and the work Bain does
- BE MORE CONNECTED: Learn about the culture and connect with Bainies
- BE MORE CONFIDENT: Learn about the recruiting process
Eligibility Requirements:
At this time, incoming 1st year MBA students who are accepted into an eligible school may apply. Dual degree program students are also eligible (e.g. MD/MBA, JD/MBA). You may apply both to ExperienceBain and BASE if you are eligible and interested.
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: MAY 4TH
The Bain Be Bold MBA Scholarship is a scholarship program open to those who identify as female or gender diverse, at the start of their business school journey and are interested in a career in consulting in Australia.
The MBA Scholarship is inclusive of the following award:
- USD$10,000 to support you while you study
- One-on-one mentorship from a Bain leader for a year
- Invited to join the 8-10 week Australia Summer Associate Program for your MBA internship
Application Instructions:
Submit your application via the link below. You must include an updated copy of your CV and include the following in your cover letter: describe an achievement you are most proud of; what draws you to Australia as a place to work, and how does it align with your career goals?
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY MAY 7TH
Curious to discover what it takes to work in the dynamic world of
strategy consulting? The Strategy& Middle East Catalyst program offers incoming MBA students an unparalleled look into the life of a consultant and the meaningful work that sets Strategy& apart.
Date: May 14 – 16, 2025
Format: Virtual
Eligibility: Full-time MBA students entering their first year in fall 2025
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: MAY 9TH
McKinsey Early Access (MEA) will introduce you to consulting at the firm before you start business school. The goal? To help you determine if a career as a McKinsey consultant might be a good fit for you.
McKinsey Early Access is a virtual program that will kick off in late May, with events running throughout the summer into early August. Most events are scheduled during the lunch hour or early evening (North American time zones) and run for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Do not worry if you are unable to join in–participating in McKinsey Early Access has no bearing on your future candidacy for summer internships or full-time roles.
Application Instructions:
- Submit your resume and fill out the McKinsey MBA 2025 Events interest form by Monday, May 12, 2025.
- After submitting your application, you will have one week to play Solve, McKinsey’s online problem-solving game. Solve invitations will be sent on May 13, with a deadline of May 19.
Eligibility Requirements:
If you are admitted to a full-time MBA program in the United States or Canada with an anticipated graduation date of 2027, you are eligible to apply to McKinsey Early Access. Dual-degree students (e.g., JD/MBA, MS/MBA, etc.) are also welcome to apply.
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: MAY 12TH
McKinsey Inspire 2025 is a program co-hosted by McKinsey’s Black, Hispanic and Latino, and Indigenous networks. Inspire is an immersive event designed for incoming US MBA students. During the event, attendees will connect with members of host affinity networks, which are open to all McKinsey colleagues interested in joining. Participants will explore career opportunities in consulting and enhance their problem-solving and leadership skills.
- Virtual event: June 28-29, 2025
- In person event: July 18-19, 2025 in Chicago
Application Instructions:
To be considered for Inspire, you must indicate interest in the program through the McKinsey Early Access application by May 12, 2025. When completing the application, you are encouraged to also complete the affinity interest form so that your experience and engagement with McKinsey can be tailored to those interests.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Open to incoming MBA students who want to connect with members of the Black, Hispanic and Latino, and/or Indigenous Networks
- Must be admitted to a full-time MBA program in the US or Canada with an anticipated graduation date of 2027
- Participation is limited to students entering full-time programs only. Dual-degree program students (such as MD/MBA and JD/MBA) are also eligible to apply
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: MAY 12TH
American Century’s Early Insights program has been crafted for pre-matriculated MBAs/Masters level students who will graduate in 2027 with an interest in switching career tracks and curiosity to learn more about the Investment/Asset Management industry.
This three day, in-person program offers you the opportunity to discover our firm, our people and our culture of Winning Behaviors. The content, panels, and educational forums you will partake in will be geared to our Investment Analyst career track. You will be aligned with an individual mentor who will advocate for you in this field. You will also participate in networking, receive early access to senior leaders, career development, training and group-specific interview preparation for our Summer Associate Investment Analyst Program the following summer.
This program will take place July 16-18, 2025, at our corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. You will participate in engaging seminars on the following topics: Why Investment Management?; How do I break into this field?; A Day in the Life; Modeling: Tutorial and Activity Based; How to Build a Successful Stock Pitch; Shadowing opportunity with an assigned mentor
Application Instructions:
To be eligible, you must submit your resume and an essay describing your interest in investing. The application is due by June 1, 2025. In this essay, you are encouraged to explore the following about company/stock of your choosing:
- What do you find exciting in your research and why you believe it might be a good investment?
- How does this company align with your personal interest in investing?
- What are the top three things you would want to know in order to understand the business strategy of the company and determine how attractive this stock might be for investment?
Eligibility Requirements:
- Currently accepted/enrolled in a 2027 MBA/Masters program with an emphasis in Finance or other related field
- A passion for asset management, investment philosophies, and analyst career tracks
- An interest in relocating to Kansas City, Missouri, for career opportunities in the future.
- Authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without sponsorship now and in the future
Full Details & Application
APPLY BY: JUNE 1ST