Career Support
Career Support
Favorite
2025 Pre-MBA Events/Internships At McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, and BlackRock!
Register now and see more!
Top 5 Knowhows
Top 5 Advisory
Hello, I'm TJ, CEO of Alpha Advisors!
At Alpha Advisors, we've been supporting admissions to MBA programs, graduate schools, undergraduate programs, and boarding schools for 17 years, as well as providing career support for students and professionals. Even among our MBA students, many have gone on to top companies worldwide, including investment banks, strategy consulting firms, investment management firms, GAFAM, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturers, with many earning annual salaries of $200,000, $300,000, or more.
Today, I'd like to share the latest information about Pre-MBA events, send-off gatherings, and internship selection processes hosted by top companies such as McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, and BlackRock for MBA students. These companies are holding multiple events from May to July 2025, with many application deadlines falling in early to mid-May, so prompt preparation is essential.
Pre-MBA events in particular are not just opportunities for information gathering but are positioned as the first gateway in the selection process. Current consultants and employees evaluate your enthusiasm, logical thinking, English proficiency, and attitude very critically. If you approach these as "casual networking events," you risk missing significant opportunities.
Don't become complacent just because you attend a top MBA program. Your competition includes students from world-class institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Chicago, and Columbia. They will also be participating in these events, preparing thoroughly, and aiming for job offers. If you don't start serious preparation right now, falling behind equals elimination from consideration.
This article explains the overview, schedules, deadlines, and preparation points for each company's Pre-MBA events and internship information. Please read until the end and consider applying to programs of interest while also consulting with Alpha Advisors. We will fully support you with career strategy design, resume review, case interview practice, and internship selection preparation!
Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation
Summary of Events, Send-off Gatherings, and Recruitment Information for MBA Students (McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, BlackRock)
Below, we summarize the main events (including MBA send-off gatherings) and MBA recruitment information provided by five companies—McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Kearney, and BlackRock—for current and prospective MBA students, focusing primarily on global (especially U.S.) examples. For each event, we concisely list the dates, application deadlines, and content, and finally explain the benefits and significance of MBA send-off gatherings.
McKinsey & Company
◯ McKinsey Early Access (Pre-MBA Program)
・Application Deadline: May 12, 2025
・Event Period: Summer (specific dates not yet announced)
https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/students/mckinsey-early-access/overview
This program is offered in the summer before MBA enrollment and provides North American MBA admits with opportunities to learn about consulting work and the company. The application deadline for those entering in 2025 is May 12. Through online sessions and office events, participants can build networks with company mentors and MBA peers from other schools.
◯ McKinsey Inspire
・Application Deadline: May 12, 2025
・Online Event Dates: June 28 (Sat) – 29 (Sun), 2025
・In-person Event in Chicago: July 18 (Fri) – 19 (Sat), 2025
https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/inspire-pre-mba-diversity-event
This is an invitation-only event focused on Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous communities among U.S. MBA admits. In 2025, it will be held online on June 28-29 and in-person in Chicago on July 18-19. The event includes case workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, allowing participants to interact with members of diverse networks and deepen their understanding of the company's culture.
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
◯ BCG Unlock (Pre-MBA Summer Program)
・Event Period: Late May to Late July 2025
・Application Deadline: Not specified (registration recommended)
A virtual program targeting students planning to enter MBA programs in Fall 2025. Multiple business introduction and skill development sessions are held from late May to late July, with flexible scheduling for participation. Registrants will also receive the latest information and event notifications until fall. This event is not just for information gathering but also serves as an important opportunity for companies to evaluate and select outstanding candidates early. Participants are expected to thoroughly prepare their resumes and self-introductions, and maintain a professional attitude throughout.
Bain & Company
◯ ExperienceBain
・Application Deadline: May 4, 2025
This is a global Pre-MBA program offered by Bain, targeting students planning to enter top MBA programs. Webinars and networking events are held throughout the year, providing continuous support and information from before MBA enrollment through the program. The application deadline for 2025 entrants is May 4, and those who pass the selection process will be able to participate in the program.
◯ Associate Consultant Intern
・Application Deadline: July 6, 2025
This is a short-term internship program for students before and during their MBA studies. Beginning with approximately one week of intensive training, participants can join Bain's project teams and engage in actual consulting work. Participants use Bain's expertise and their own analytical skills to solve problems for a wide range of clients, from global corporations to startups.
In addition to work experience, this program allows participants to deeply understand the company's culture and working style through close collaboration with Bain consultants and specialists. Furthermore, successful candidates may receive offers for full-time positions (Associate Consultant) depending on their performance during the internship.
Kearney
◯ Kearney Consulting Boot Camp
・Application Deadline: May 18, 2025
・Event Dates: June 26 (Thu) - 27 (Fri), 2025 @ Chicago
This is an in-person event held in Chicago on June 26-27, 2025, and is a diversity program for prospective MBA students. While it focuses on students with Black or Hispanic/Latinx backgrounds, anyone meeting the application requirements can participate. The program includes case exercises, networking, and interaction with Affinity groups, with an application deadline of May 18. Selected participants will receive invitations to Summer Associate interviews immediately afterward, directly leading to early job offers.
BlackRock
◯ MBA Internship Program (MBA Summer Associate)
・Application Period: Recruitment begins Summer-Fall 2025
・Program Period: June-August 2025 (9 weeks)
This is BlackRock's summer internship for MBA students, lasting 9 weeks (June-August). MBA students work in asset management operations in positions equivalent to Associates. The program targets students graduating between August 2026 and July 2027, with relevant work experience being highly valued in the selection process. The program started in 2019 and is currently primarily offered in the Americas region. The number of intern participants has been expanding yearly, and the selection process is becoming earlier, similar to other financial institutions. Applications begin around summer with deadlines set for fall. Applicants choose and apply to their preferred departments, with financial/investment experience and leadership abilities being the primary evaluation criteria. At the end of the internship, participants present their achievements, and outstanding performers may receive full-time offers (Associate positions) after graduation.
Benefits and Importance of MBA Send-off Events
◆ Gathering Company Information and Networking
MBA send-off events are valuable opportunities for prospective MBA students to speak directly with company recruiters and current employees. Participants can obtain firsthand information about each company's culture and projects, helping them determine which companies might be the best fit. Additionally, these events facilitate networking among MBA admits with similar aspirations, creating connections that will support information exchange and job hunting after beginning their studies.
◆ Part of the Recruitment Process (Early Selection Venue)
Send-off events are not merely informational sessions but are effectively positioned as the first gateway in the summer internship selection process. Every year, there are reports of cases where "people who thought it was just an information session and didn't take it seriously weren't evaluated favorably and weren't invited to subsequent selection rounds." Companies identify promising talent at these events and prioritize inviting them to internships and formal selection processes. Conversely, making a poor impression can disadvantage candidates in later selection stages. Therefore, participants should view these events as essentially their first interviews, recognizing that the selection process begins early.
◆ Importance of Advance Preparation
Thorough preparation is essential when participating in MBA send-off events. Specifically, participants need to bring English resumes that meet each company's standards. Inadequate content or formatting could potentially eliminate candidates from consideration immediately. In practice, international consulting firms collect resumes from send-off event participants and reference them in subsequent internship selection processes. Additionally, participants should practice clearly communicating their self-introductions and career aspirations, and be prepared to respond to questions. In recent years, some companies have begun conducting case interviews and English Q&A sessions even before MBA enrollment, with some implementing light case discussions during send-off events. Therefore, underestimating these events could result in "missing internship opportunities before enrollment despite investing significant costs in MBA education." Receiving professional advice early and approaching these events with comprehensive preparation is key to success in MBA job hunting.
◆ Positioning from the Recruiter's Perspective
For companies, MBA send-off events are valuable opportunities to make early contact with potential recruitment candidates for the coming years. Consulting firms in particular emphasize securing the most talented MBA students at the internship stage, and impressions and conversations during send-off events can lead to determinations like "we definitely want this person to come for an internship." In other words, company screening begins the moment candidates are invited to send-off events. Recruiters observe candidates' personalities, enthusiasm, and potential in a casual atmosphere. Therefore, MBA send-off events are extremely important for both companies and participants, serving as both "networking events" and "early selection venues." Participants should view these not merely as information-gathering opportunities but as excellent chances to promote themselves, and should utilize them to the fullest extent.
Alpha Is the Only Choice for MBA Job Hunting and Career Consulting!
Over the past 17 years, Alpha Advisors has helped over 50,000 individuals secure positions at world-leading companies including Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, JP Morgan, Citi, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, BlackRock, Blackstone, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, P&G, and more. Recently, we've seen a surge in consultations from those seeking to transition to international consulting firms, financial institutions, PE funds, or hedge funds after obtaining an MBA or as the next step in their professional careers. We receive many inquiries from professionals in their 20s and 30s, as well as those in their 40s, and have numerous success stories of career changes from individuals with no industry experience, or transitions from IBD and strategy consulting to buy-side positions.
Currently, Alpha offers "Career Strategy Advisory" services for those considering or currently enrolled in MBA programs, along with "Alpha Individual Guidance" and "Alpha Intensive Training," in addition to job placement support. We provide comprehensive support beyond mere information provision and resume review, including self-analysis, development of motivation statements, industry and company-specific deep dives, interview preparation, and networking and alumni approach strategies—everything necessary for career realization. We strongly support your career by combining Alpha's unique individual guidance with our "job offer and career change victory know-how" accumulated over 17 years. If you're aiming for a career with higher specialization and long-term growth potential beyond foreign banks and consulting, such as asset management or hedge funds, please consult with us.
Start with Alpha Advisors' "Career Strategy Advisory" (an incredible value at ¥48,000, with discounts available!) for discussion, advice, and strategy development with Alpha Advisors' representative TJ (former Sumitomo Corporation → University of Chicago MBA → Goldman Sachs Investment Banking Division). We're committed to fully supporting your great success and aim for annual incomes exceeding ¥500 million!
Interested? Schedule a free consultation now!
Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation
Consult with a "top advisor" as soon as possible to discover your path to success and achieve your goals! If you're interested in individual advisory services, free consultations are available! After registration, you can access free consultations through the "Free Consultation Chat" in "My Page." For immediate questions or consultations, you can also use the chat feature in the bottom right of the page!
1. Alpha Individual Coaching starts with a free consultation!
Share your situation and concerns via our free consultation chat!
Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation
2. After learning about your situation in the free consultation chat, our office will recommend the best individual coaching plan!
Includes course discounts and free access to Alpha Notes!
3. Once you've chosen your desired course, you can apply for individual coaching.
The entire application process can be completed online.
4. Begin Individual Coaching!
Achieve overwhelming success and lead a life you can be proud of!
Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation
Interested in Alpha Advisors' individual advisory services? Contact us now for a free consultation!
Click here for free consultation! > Free Consultation
Let's achieve overwhelming success and lead the best life you can be proud of!