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management consulting: the mbb route

a doctor-to-consulting playbook: apd/advanced degree track, case interview mechanics, and why hypothesis-led mece thinking beats “differential diagnosis” in business.

MBB recruiting is a structured filter for: (1) problem solving under ambiguity, (2) executive communication, and (3) ownership of a workstream. Your medical degree is not the differentiator—your operating system is.

Advanced Degree track (McKinsey calls it “APD”)

McKinsey explicitly groups MDs/PhDs/JDs and similar as “Advanced Professional Degree (APD)” candidates, who typically join as full-time Associates (generalist or expert tracks depending on background and office).

Case interview ≠ OSCE

An OSCE rewards breadth (“cover the bases”). A case interview rewards direction (“pick the highest-value branch, test a hypothesis, and synthesise”). If you behave like you’re taking a history, you will look unfocused.

McKinsey interview anatomy (most client-facing roles)

Expect a Personal Experience Interview (PEI) plus a Problem Solving interview (case). Some roles add assessments or expertise interviews—your recruiter confirms the exact format.