Many management consulting firms offer internship programs for freshmen and sophomores. Why do firms have sophomore internship programs? Sophomore summer internships serve a number of purposes.
First, they serve as a recruiting pathway for the firms. Prospective consultants are introduced to a firm’s culture, people, the type of work the firm engages in, and more – the interns get to know the firm and the nature of consulting work, and firms get an extended look at potential future employees. Firms often end up bringing these interns back for a junior year internship or even hiring them on to full-time roles after graduation.
In addition, these sophomore internship programs often serve as additional diversity recruiting channels for the firms. Many are only open to members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
Applications for these sophomore summer internships typically open in late fall or winter, but each firm has different deadlines. If you’re a freshman or rising sophomore, now is the time to start researching firms and getting ready to apply for these summer internships! Enjoy this list of the top sophomore summer internships in consulting.
| Firm | Program | Level | Candidate Group | Application Deadline | Length | Link |
| Bain | Bain BEL | UG | Soph Diversity | February 21, 2024 | 5 days | Click here |
| Bain | Connecting & Resourcing Empowered Women (CREW) | UG | Soph Women | Nov 1, 2023 | 1.5 days | Click here |
| Bain | Consulting Kickstart | UG | Fresh Diversity | Expected April 2024 | 1.5 days | Click here |
| BCG | Bridge to Consulting | UG | Fresh/Soph Diversity | Feb. 1 or March 1, 2023 | 2 days | Click here |
| BCG | Advance | UG | Soph Women | January 19, 2023 | 1 week | Click here |
| McKinsey | Sophomore Summer Business Analyst | UG | Soph Diversity | Expected Sept 2023 | 8-10 weeks | Click here |
| BCG | Growing Future Leaders | UG | Soph Diversity | Sept 6, 2023 | 10 weeks | Click here |
| EY | Expedition EY | UG | Fresh Diversity | Jan 20, 2023 | TBA | Click here |
| EY-Parthenon | Emerging Leaders Program | US | Soph | Expected Oct 2023 | 8 weeks | Click here |
| FTI Consulting | IMPACT: Summer Leadership Program | US | Soph Diversity | February 8, 2024 | 2 days | Click here |
| Accenture | Student Leadership Program | UG | Varies depending on track | Dec 1, 2023 | Varies | Click here |
| PwC | Destination CPA | UG | Soph | Nov 7, 2023 | 3 days | Click here |
| Deloitte | Discovery Internship | UG | Fresh/Soph | Rolling | 8-10 weeks | Click here |
| KPMG | Embark Scholars | UG | Fresh/Soph Diversity | Expected Dec 2023 | 8 weeks | Click here |
| KPMG | Growing Future Leaders | HS | HS Seniors (Women) | Feb 1, 2023 | Summer | Click here |
Sophomore Summer Consulting Internships List
Bain – BEL (Building Entrepreneurial Leaders)
Bain’s sophomore internship program is called Bain BEL (Building Entrepreneurial Leaders). For anyone interested in a career with Bain & Company, Bain BEL is a fantastic opportunity to get a foot in the door and get a head start in recruiting after graduation.
The summer internship program is usually held in August, and runs for 5 days. You’ll get to experience life at Bain, the type of projects the firm works on, the people who work for Bain, and much more. Bain BEL is open to members of several underrepresented groups (learn more).
Application Deadline: February 21, 2023
Application Details: here
Bain – Connecting & Resourcing Empowered Women (CREW)
Bain’s CREW program is for sophomore undergraduate women interested in a career in consulting. Over 1.5 days in February (dates TBD), participants will learn about Bain’s culture and work and connect with other women leaders. In addition, participants will have an opportunity to interview for a Bain summer internship role.
Application Deadline: Expected November 2023
Application Details: here
Bain – Consulting Kickstart
Bain’s Consulting Kickstart program is geared towards undergraduate freshman students. Over the course of 1.5 days, students will engage in a series of virtual workshops and gain exposure to business leaders. At the conclusion of the program, participants have the opportunity to apply for Bain’s Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL) second-year program.
Application Deadline: Expected April 2024
Application Details: here
BCG – Bridge to Consulting Workshop
Bridge to Consulting is a summer program for both freshmen and sophomore candidates. Bridge to Consulting is a 2-day workshop where you’ll get a taste of the firm’s work and culture, network with people on the inside, and connect with peers at your level. Upon applying, you’ll be asked to play the pymetrics games. If you need help preparing, book a 30min session with an MBB coach who can walk you through what to expect and how to best prepare.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2023 (Sophomores); March 1, 2023 (Freshmen)
Application Details: here
BCG – Growing Future Leaders
Growing Future Leaders is BCG’s summer internship for sophomores/rising juniors. The 10-week program aims to introduce participants to the culture and community of BCG. Interns with Growing Future Leaders gain core consulting skills, valuable work experience, and personal mentorship from one of the world’s top consulting firms. Plus, it’s a terrific brand name to have on your resume – what’s not to like?
Application Deadline: September 6, 2023
Application Details: here
McKinsey – Sophomore Summer Business Analyst Program
McKinsey’s sophomore summer internship is known as the Sophomore Summer Business Analyst program. This 10-week internship takes place in one of McKinsey’s offices in the U.S. or Canada and focuses on providing participants with a real taste of the firm.
Interns join a project team and work alongside McKinsey consultants on a business problem. Participants also receive hands-on training throughout the summer, as well as mentorship from a Partner. McKinsey also has a Sophomore Summer Tech Analyst program run by McKinsey Digital.
Application Deadline: Expected September 2023
Application Details: here
Resume + Cover Letter Edits
- 2 Rounds of Edits each on 1 Resume and 1 Cover Letter
- Digital pass: 24 templates, 5 e-books
Black Belt
- 8 hours 1:1 Zoom sessions with MBB coach of your choice
- All Access Pass: 600+ cases, 10K+ math/structure drills, 9 video courses, 18 chatbot cases
- 2 Rounds of Edits each on 1 Resume and 1 Cover Letter
- 1 Year Membership to MC Community
PwC – Destination CPA
PwC’s sophomore summer internship program, formerly known as Elevate, is now Destination CPA. Destination CPA is a 3-day program designed to allow participants to discover what life and work at PwC is like. The program is an invaluable opportunity to network with the firm’s employees and put your best foot forward in hopes of receiving a return offer. Any sophomore student is eligible to apply to Destination CPA.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2023 (Wave 1); February 21, 2023 (Wave 2)
Application Details: here
EY – Expedition EY
Expedition EY is a virtual program for freshman undergraduate students interested in a career at Ernst & Young. Participants will engage in educational and networking opportunities with peers and EY experts. In addition, they will have the opportunity to apply for scholarship prizes for the following school year.
Application Deadline: January 20, 2023
Application Details: here
EY – Summer Leadership Program
EY’s summer internship program is similar to PwC’s program. You get an on-the-ground experience as an EY consultant, plus in-office training and access to the firm’s network of employees. If the type of work EY does sounds exciting to you, EY’s summer leadership program is a chance to see if the firm is right for you. EY is looking for people with a strong academic track record, along with leadership and teamwork skills. Make sure your resume and cover letter convey your status as a top performer!
Application Details: here
Deloitte – Discovery Internship
The Deloitte sophomore internship is known as the Discovery Internship. This internship is a chance for participants to gain exposure to real-world consulting projects at Deloitte. In addition, the firm prides itself on offering support and mentorship to Discovery interns throughout the process. The firm encourages members of racial and ethnic minority groups to apply. Participants in Deloitte’s sophomore internship are sometimes invited back for a client services internship the following year. Our advice? Apply! The Deloitte Discovery internship is open to both freshmen and sophomores.
Application Details: here
KPMG – Embark Scholars Program
The KPMG summer internship is the Embark Scholars Program. Embark is different from most other sophomore summer internships in that it is a multi-year program designed to develop talent into KPMG-ready professionals. Interns in the program rotate through the firm’s Audit, Tax, Advisory, and Business Process Group (BPG) practices. This allows them to see what KPMG is all about and decide which practice to intern for the following summer. Embark is a diversity program, so if you meet the qualifications, we recommend giving it a shot.
Application Deadline: Expected December 2023
Application Details: here
Accenture – Student Leadership Program
Accenture’s summer internship is a broad program with several different tracks that students can choose depending on their preferences, experience, and skills. It makes sense, considering how massive Accenture is. The Student Leadership Program at Accenture runs for four months in the summer and pairs interns with a mentor to help develop skills – both soft and hard – throughout the program. The internship culminates with a Student Leadership Conference where interns get to network with firm leadership and potentially receive an opportunity to interview for a full-time or summer analyst position!
Application deadline: December 1, 2023
Application Details: here
FTI Consulting – Summer Leadership Program
FTI’s summer leadership program “IMPACT” is for sophomores who identify as Black/African American, LatinX, LGBTQ+, APAC, Indigenous, and women. The program will take place in May of 2024 – a 2-day, virtual experience.
Selected attendees will receive priority consideration for 2025 summer internships – so don’t take the application process lightly! You will record a one-way video interview within 48 hours of applying and FTI will let you know if you have been selected by March 31.
Application deadline: February 8, 2024
Application Details: here
Conclusion
Consulting sophomore summer internships offer participants a chance to see what life on the inside of a consulting firm is like beyond the marketing jargon you see on every firm’s website. Many find that the work is something they enjoy and go on to make a career out of consulting. Others find that the experience didn’t align with expectations and change their career trajectory – which is ultimately beneficial for both parties.
If you’re applying to a summer internship program, we can help your resume stand out and make sure you are confident and prepared for the interviews!