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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Akash's LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akash-khamkar25/
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
