What does it really take to get into McKinsey USA — without an MBA or a target school on your resume?

Akash did it. And in this episode of Unfiltered by Being Consultant, he breaks it all down.

We talk about:

– Why he applied to McKinsey USA over India

– How he positioned himself as a non-MBA candidate

– What actually helped him crack the interview

– Myths about “target schools” and traditional paths

– Life inside McKinsey — and what surprised him most

Whether you're a student, lateral applicant, or just curious about consulting/strategy careers — this episode is a blueprint for breaking in unconventionally.

 Let us know what resonated most in the comments.

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Timestamps:

(00:00 ) - Introduction

(02:15 ) - Akash's journey

(15:20 ) - Consulting prep journey and challenges faced

(22:32 ) - How did Akash land the interview?

(27:00 ) - Importance of networking

(33:15 ) - First few months at McKinsey

(40:40 ) - When did Akash feel belonged to McKinsey?

(53:00 ) - Work life hack for consultants

(56:00 ) - How much do consultant's earn?

(58:10 ) - Myths around consulting

(1:00:30 ) - Why did Akash leave consulting?

(1:03:33 ) - Benefits of consulting stint

(1:07:50 ) - One thing Akash could have done differently

(1:09:28 ) - Advice for consulting aspirants