Biotech/pharma/healthcare strategy consulting firm help
Hi,
I graduated from the University of California - San Diego 2 years ago, the bottom of the top 3 UC schools. (Berkeley and UCLA being the top 2 schools) I was a biochemistry major with a minor in economics who was not pre-med. UCSD, although not as well known as UCLA and Berkeley, still has a premier life science reputation with the San Diego biotech community and life science institutes (Salk and Scripps) feeding of it's talent to supply the local industry.
I am trying to break into a few boutique biotech strategy consulting firms (analyst positions) such as Putnam Associates, Health Advances, LEK consulting, Medacorp , the Frankel Group, and etc. However, since most consulting firms are located in Boston/NY/SF and primarily recruit from the Ivy Leagues, I feel my lack of "pedigree" is hurting my chances. My school was about 25% life science majors and about 90% plus were pre-med. I didn't know about consulting as a career option until after I graduated and by then it was too late to do anything about my GPA (3.2), with a 3.8 4th year GPA in upper division and quantitative courses like econometrics and physics.
My options now are:
-
Try work some connections which I have for a couple interviews at 2 of these firms for their fall recruitment.
-
Apply later but off cycle
-
Apply to and hopefully get into the one year masters program at Cambridge University in their Bioscience Enterprise program.
In case one, should I concentrate now on getting a good GMAT score, 700+, to make up for my lack of pedigree/GPA to put on my resume (I do plan on applying to business school in 2-3 years anyways). Or do I practice case interviews heavily until then or both?
In case 2, if I cannot do both or one in the first case , I will likely apply later.
If I can't get an interview or offer (case 1), and am able to get into this program, I will likely go and reapply for those positions again.
As for background for these firms:
2 years of undergraduate research
- supplement course in Business: Introduction to Technology Business Startup Process
- 2 years of Biotech R&D, quality control, and GMP manufacturing experience (trying to leave the lab!)
- Annual attendance at the UCSD Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Conference
- EC included the Biological Science Student Association mentor, and executive position in an IFC fraternity
Any thoughts?
Also, what is the difference between a MBA vs. an undergraduate level case interview?
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