Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: March 31, 2026

 

Consulting info sessions are on-campus or virtual events where firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain introduce their culture, project work, and recruiting process to prospective candidates. They are one of the most accessible and underused tools in consulting recruiting.

 

In this guide, you will learn exactly what happens at a consulting info session, how to prepare, what questions to ask, and how to follow up so that every interaction moves you closer to an interview.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is a Consulting Info Session?

 

A consulting info session is a recruiting event hosted by a consulting firm, usually on a university campus or online, where firm representatives present an overview of their company and answer candidate questions. Most sessions last 60 to 90 minutes and are open to all interested students or professionals.

 

Info sessions are different from other consulting networking events. According to recruiting data published by McKinsey and BCG, firms host three main types of events during each recruiting cycle: large group presentations (info sessions), small group events (coffee chats), and one-on-one conversations (informational interviews). Each serves a different purpose.

 

The table below breaks down how these events compare.

 

Feature	Info Session	Coffee Chat	Informational Interview	Case Competition
Format	Large group presentation + networking	Small group or 1-on-1	1-on-1 conversation	Team-based case solving
Typical Size	30 to 200+ attendees	5 to 15 attendees	2 people	20 to 100+ participants
Duration	60 to 90 minutes	20 to 45 minutes	15 to 30 minutes	Half day to full day
Primary Purpose	Learn about the firm	Ask questions, build rapport	Get advice, build a relationship	Showcase skills to recruiters
Evaluative?	No (but attendance is tracked)	Informally, yes	Informally, yes	Yes
Networking Depth	Low to moderate	Moderate to high	High	Varies

 

Info sessions are the broadest entry point. Coffee chats and informational interviews offer deeper connections. For a complete guide to making the most of those smaller events, read our consulting coffee chats guide.

 

What Happens During a Consulting Info Session?

 

Consulting info sessions follow a predictable structure. Knowing what to expect lets you plan your time and focus your energy on the moments that matter most.

 

What Is the Typical Format and Timeline?

 

Most info sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes. The typical flow has three parts.

 

• Firm presentation (20 to 30 minutes): The firm gives an overview of its culture, values, the types of projects consultants work on, and its recruiting process. Some firms show a short video or walk through a mini case study.

 

• Q&A session (10 to 20 minutes): The floor opens for questions. Recruiters and consultants answer questions about the application timeline, interview format, and what they look for in candidates.

 

• Networking and mingling (20 to 40 minutes): This is the most important part. Students break into small groups and speak one-on-one or in clusters with firm representatives. Food and drinks are usually provided.

 

In my experience at Bain, the networking portion is where candidates make their strongest impressions. The presentation portion is largely the same information you can find on the firm's website. The real value is in the conversations that happen after.

 

Who Attends from the Firm?

 

Firms typically send a mix of people to info sessions. Understanding who is in the room helps you decide where to spend your time.

 

• Recruiters: They manage the logistics and application process. They can answer questions about deadlines, required materials, and office locations. Recruiters also track attendance in the firm's applicant tracking system.

 

• Junior and mid-level consultants (Analysts, Associates, Engagement Managers): These are the people you want to talk to. They are close enough to the recruiting process to influence resume reviews, and they can give you real insight into daily consulting life.

 

• Partners or Principals (occasionally): Senior leaders sometimes attend large events. While impressive to speak with, they interact with hundreds of candidates and are less likely to remember individual conversations.

 

A study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that over 70% of internships and entry-level jobs involve some form of networking. Consulting is no exception. The consultants you meet at info sessions often serve on resume review committees or conduct first-round interviews.

 

Do You Need to Attend Consulting Info Sessions to Get an Interview?

 

No. Attending a consulting info session is not required to get an interview at any firm. Your resume, GPA, and interview performance carry far more weight than event attendance. However, info sessions offer strategic benefits that can tip the scales in your favor.

 

Many consulting firms track who attends their recruiting events using applicant tracking systems. According to former recruiters at MBB firms, when two candidates with similar profiles are competing for a limited number of interview slots, the one who showed up to events and made a positive impression often gets the edge.

 

Info sessions matter most in three scenarios:

 

• You attend a non-target school. Since firms allocate fewer interview slots to non-target schools, every touchpoint with recruiters becomes more valuable. Attending an info session at a nearby target school is one of the best strategies for non-target candidates.

 

• You are a career changer. If your background is not a traditional consulting pipeline (engineering, finance, liberal arts), showing face at events signals genuine interest and lets you explain your story in person.

 

• Your resume is borderline. If your GPA or experience puts you on the fence, a strong personal impression at an info session can push your application into the interview pile.

 

For a deeper look at how networking fits into the broader recruiting process, see our step-by-step consulting networking guide.

 

How Should You Prepare for a Consulting Info Session?

 

Preparation separates candidates who make an impression from those who blend into the crowd. Most of the work happens before you walk through the door.

 

What Should You Research Before the Event?

 

Spend 30 to 45 minutes researching the firm before any info session. Showing up without basic knowledge is one of the fastest ways to make a negative impression.

 

• The firm's website: Read the Careers page, recent case studies, and any published values or culture statements. Know the firm's office locations, practice areas, and recent news.

 

• LinkedIn: Look up the consultants who will be attending the event, if their names are listed. Note their backgrounds, schools, and tenure at the firm. This gives you conversation starters.

 

• The firm's recruiting timeline: Understand when applications are due, what materials are required, and what the interview format looks like. This shows recruiters that you are serious and prepared.

 

For a complete breakdown of application deadlines at every major firm, check out our consulting recruiting timeline.

 

What Should You Wear to a Consulting Info Session?

 

Dress one level above the stated dress code. If the event says business casual, lean toward business professional. If no dress code is mentioned, default to business casual at minimum. You want to look polished without being the only person in a full suit.

 

Event Format	Recommended Attire (Men)	Recommended Attire (Women)
In-person info session	Dress shirt, slacks, dress shoes. Blazer optional.	Blouse with slacks or a knee-length skirt. Blazer optional.
Virtual info session	Button-down shirt. Clean background.	Professional top. Clean background.
Casual networking event	Polo or neat sweater with chinos.	Smart casual top with neat pants or skirt.

 

The general rule is simple: dress so that your appearance is never a distraction. You want the focus to be on your questions and conversation, not your outfit.

 

What Should You Bring to a Consulting Info Session?

 

• A printed resume. Some consultants may ask for it on the spot. Having a polished, consulting-formatted resume ready shows you are serious.

 

• A pen and a small notepad. Take notes on names, key points, and any follow-up action items. Do not use your phone for notes as it looks disengaged.

 

• Business cards (if you have them). Not required, but helpful if you are an MBA or experienced professional. Undergraduates do not need business cards.

 

• Prepared questions. Have 3 to 5 thoughtful questions written down. You may not use all of them, but having them prevents awkward silence.

 

Make sure your resume is consulting-ready before you attend. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see our consulting resume guide. If you want expert feedback on your resume, check out my resume review and editing service for unlimited revisions with 24-hour turnarounds.

 

What Are the Best Questions to Ask at a Consulting Info Session?

 

The questions you ask reveal how much research you have done and how seriously you are considering the firm. Thoughtful questions leave a lasting impression. Generic questions that are easily answered on the firm's website waste everyone's time.

 

Here are strong questions to ask, organized by category.

 

Questions About the Work

 

• What has been the most interesting project you have worked on in the past year?

 

• How much variety do you get in terms of industries and project types?

 

• How much ownership do first-year consultants typically have on a project?

 

Questions About the Culture

 

• What surprised you most about the firm's culture after you joined?

 

• How would you describe the mentorship dynamic between junior and senior consultants?

 

• What does a typical week look like for someone at your level?

 

Questions About the Recruiting Process

 

• What qualities tend to set apart the strongest candidates you have seen?

 

• Are there any parts of the application that candidates commonly overlook?

 

• How does your office decide which candidates to interview from this campus?

 

What Questions Should You Avoid?

 

Avoid questions that signal you have not done your research or that put the consultant in an uncomfortable position.

 

• Do not ask: "How many offices does your firm have?" or "What is the starting salary?" These answers are on the firm's website.

 

• Do not ask: "Can you refer me?" at a first meeting. You have not built enough rapport for that request.

 

• Do not ask: Self-promotional questions designed to showcase your own achievements rather than learn something. Consultants see through this immediately.

 

How Should You Network at a Consulting Info Session?

 

The networking portion of an info session is where real value is created. Having coached hundreds of candidates, I can tell you that the candidates who stand out at info sessions almost always follow the same playbook.

 

What Should You Do Before the Presentation Starts?

 

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Before the presentation begins, the room is quiet and consultants are not yet surrounded by crowds. This is your best chance for genuine one-on-one conversation.

 

Introduce yourself with your full name, your school, and your year. Keep it brief: "Hi, I'm Sarah Chen, a junior at Georgetown. Thanks for coming tonight." Then ask an open-ended question about their experience.

 

How Should You Approach Consultants After the Presentation?

 

After the presentation, every consultant will be surrounded by clusters of 6 to 12 students. Do not fight your way into these circles right away. Instead, wait 20 to 30 minutes for the initial rush to die down, then approach consultants when they are more relaxed and the conversation can be more personal.

 

When you do approach, aim for a conversation of about 5 to 10 minutes. Introduce yourself with your full name, ask two or three questions, and listen actively. At the end, ask for a business card or email address so you can follow up.

 

Who Should You Talk To?

 

Prioritize mid-level consultants (Associates, Engagement Managers, or Managers) who graduated from your school or work in your target office. These people are most likely to be involved in resume screening and interviewing at your campus.

 

Partners and Principals are impressive to talk to, but they interact with so many candidates across so many schools that it is hard to leave a lasting impression. Spend your limited time with consultants who have a direct connection to your recruiting pipeline.

 

Try to speak with at least 3 to 4 different consultants during the event. According to Bain's internal recruiting guidance, candidates who connect with multiple firm representatives demonstrate broader interest and leave a more memorable overall impression.

 

What Should You Do After a Consulting Info Session?

 

What you do in the 24 hours after an info session is just as important as what you do during it. A strong follow-up can turn a brief conversation into a lasting professional relationship.

 

How Should You Follow Up?

 

Send a follow-up email within 24 hours to every consultant you spoke with. Keep it short: three to four sentences. Thank them for their time, reference something specific you discussed, and express your continued interest in the firm.

 

Here is an example of a strong follow-up email:

 

Subject: Great meeting you at the [Firm Name] info session

 

Hi [First Name],

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me at the info session last night. I really appreciated hearing about your experience working on [specific topic they mentioned]. After our conversation, I am even more excited about the opportunity to join [Firm Name]. I will definitely be applying and hope to stay in touch during the recruiting process. Thanks again for your time.

 

[Your Full Name]

 

Notice how this email references a specific conversation topic. Generic emails that could apply to anyone are easy to ignore. Specificity shows that you were actually listening.

 

How Do You Turn Contacts into Referrals?

 

Do not ask for a referral in your first follow-up email. Build the relationship over two or three touchpoints first. After a second or third conversation, such as a phone call or a coffee chat, it becomes natural to ask if the consultant would be comfortable passing your name along to the recruiting team.

 

According to McKinsey's published recruiting insights, referred candidates are significantly more likely to receive interview invitations than candidates who apply cold. A referral from a consultant you met at an info session can make a meaningful difference.

 

For detailed scripts and strategies on how to turn networking contacts into referrals, read our consulting networking guide.

 

What Are the Most Common Consulting Info Session Mistakes?

 

Having attended and organized dozens of info sessions at Bain, I have seen the same mistakes come up again and again. Avoiding these will put you ahead of most candidates in the room.

 

• Asking questions that are answered on the firm's website. Asking "How many countries does your firm operate in?" tells the consultant that you did not prepare. Research first, then ask questions that go deeper.

 

• Trying to stand out by showing off. Some candidates ask overly technical or self-promotional questions to impress the room. Consultants see through this immediately, and it leaves a negative impression.

 

• Only talking to the most senior person. Partners are impressive, but junior and mid-level consultants have far more influence on your specific application. Spread your time across multiple people.

 

• Not following up. Roughly 80% of candidates never send a follow-up email. This is a massive missed opportunity. A brief, personalized thank-you email keeps you on the consultant's radar.

 

• Sticking with friends. Hanging out with your friends during the networking portion defeats the purpose. Split up and meet different consultants individually.

 

• Using your phone during the presentation. Texting, scrolling, or checking email during the firm's presentation signals disinterest. Put your phone away for the full event.

 

• Asking for a referral at the first meeting. This comes across as transactional and presumptuous. Build the relationship over multiple touchpoints before making this request.

 

What If You Cannot Attend a Consulting Info Session?

 

Missing an info session does not disqualify you from the recruiting process. Plenty of candidates receive offers without attending a single info session. But you will need to find other ways to learn about the firm and get your name in front of recruiters.

 

• Attend virtual events. Since 2020, McKinsey, BCG, and Bain have all expanded their virtual recruiting events. Many of these are open to students from any school. Check each firm's Careers page regularly for upcoming dates.

 

• Reach out on LinkedIn. Connect with consultants who are alumni of your school. Send a personalized message and request a 15-minute informational call. This replicates many of the benefits of an in-person info session.

 

• Attend events at nearby schools. If a consulting firm is hosting an info session at a target school within driving distance, go. Most firm-hosted events are open to all students, not just those enrolled at the host school.

 

• Ask for a coffee chat. Email a recruiter or consultant directly and ask if they would be open to a brief call. Many consultants are happy to help candidates who show initiative.

 

For a full walkthrough of the consulting recruiting process from application to offer, including how to overcome non-target school status, see our consulting campus recruiting guide.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Are consulting info sessions mandatory?

 

No. No consulting firm requires you to attend an info session to apply or interview. However, attending shows initiative and gives you a chance to build relationships with firm representatives who may influence the resume review process.

 

Do consulting firms track who attends info sessions?

 

Yes. Most major consulting firms use applicant tracking systems that log event attendance. Many firms have sign-in sheets or QR code check-ins at their events. While attendance alone will not get you an interview, it can help when your application is being compared against similar candidates.

 

How should I introduce myself at a consulting info session?

 

Use your full name, your school, and your year or program. Keep it to one sentence: "Hi, I'm David Park, a second-year MBA at Kellogg." Then transition into an open-ended question about the consultant's experience. Do not launch into a summary of your resume.

 

Can I attend info sessions at schools I do not attend?

 

In most cases, yes. Firm-hosted info sessions on campus are usually open to all students, not just those at the host school. If you attend a non-target school, attending events at a nearby target school is one of the best ways to get face time with recruiters.

 

Should I bring a resume to a consulting info session?

 

Yes, always bring printed copies. Some consultants may ask for your resume on the spot or offer to pass it along to the recruiting team. Having a polished resume ready signals preparation and professionalism.

 

How many info sessions should I attend?

 

Attend info sessions for every firm you are seriously considering applying to. For most candidates, this means 3 to 6 events across the recruiting season. Quality of engagement matters far more than quantity. One strong conversation is worth more than showing up to ten events and speaking to no one.

 

What is the difference between an info session and a coffee chat?

 

An info session is a large group event with a formal presentation, while a coffee chat is a smaller, more informal conversation with one or a few consultants. Coffee chats offer deeper networking opportunities. For detailed guidance on coffee chats, read our consulting coffee chats guide.

 

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