15 Consulting Internships for Undergraduates
Internships are a strong option for college students because they provide exposure to professional environments while strengthening their resumes. You develop practical skills like research, communication, data analysis, and project coordination while observing how organizations structure projects and make decisions. This experience helps you understand workplace expectations, accountability, and industry standards before graduation. By contributing to tasks and collaborating with teams, you begin building experience that supports future academic and career goals. Internships also allow you to test potential career paths and refine your professional interests. Online internships, especially, are accessible options, where you can learn from home without spending on travel.
Why should I do a consulting internship in college?
A consulting internship allows you to engage with structured problem-solving, business analysis, and client-focused work while still in college. You gain professional experience in consulting, including research synthesis, market analysis, strategic recommendations, and presentation development. Because consulting is a competitive field, internships play an important role in demonstrating readiness and improving your employment prospects after graduation. Many firms view internships as part of their recruitment pipeline, and the prestige of certain programs can significantly improve your chances of getting future opportunities.
If you are interested in making a consulting career, we’ve identified the 15 best consulting internships for undergraduates below, focusing on programs that offer defined project responsibilities and mentorship.
1. Boston Consulting Group – Growing Future Leaders
Location: Various locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; small cohorts
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer (typically starting in June and ending in August)
Application Deadline: Typically falls in late summer or early fall of sophomore year
Eligibility: Sophomore students at a U.S. or Canadian university
The BCG Growing Future Leaders Program is an in-person internship experience designed for undergraduate sophomores to work alongside teams in Boston Consulting Group’s US offices on consulting-related tasks. You may assist with analytical work, research for client projects, or case team contributions under the guidance of mentors at BCG. The program pairs you with a mentor and includes professional development sessions that cover consulting methodologies, problem-solving frameworks, and communication practices. You participate in regular team activities and work on real business challenges that reflect aspects of strategic consulting. Completion of the program may open pathways to future internship opportunities within BCG’s broader recruitment pipeline.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 25%; around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is a remote internship opportunity where you work with a host organization on defined projects tailored to your interests. You are matched with a company based on your profile, and your work may include tasks such as market research, data analysis, documentation, or business strategy support. A company supervisor assigns tasks and reviews your deliverables, and you participate in scheduled check-ins with a Ladder Coach who provides feedback on progress. Your contributions are captured in project work that reflects the organization’s goals. You use standard professional communication tools such as shared documents and virtual meetings to collaborate with your host. Apply now!
3. Bain & Company – Associate Consultant Internship
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by location
Dates: Summer; 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Current bachelor’s and master’s students with one full summer left before graduation; requirements may vary by region
The Bain & Company – Associate Consultant Internship places you on a real case team where you will work on client projects alongside experienced consultants. You will begin the internship with an initial period of training that introduces core consulting skills used at Bain. After training, you will be staffed on an active case team where you will own a specific piece of the project and contribute to analysis, problem-solving, and client deliverables. Your work will involve research, data interpretation, and collaboration with team members to address strategic business problems. Throughout the internship, you will engage with colleagues across functions and receive feedback to support your development.
4. Deloitte – SHINE Program
Location: United States (various offices with Client & Market Growth teams)
Stipend: Paid; exact amount varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically 15–30 participants per year across all US locations
Dates: Summer internships run for 8–10 weeks (typically June to August); full-time rotations last 6–12 months
Application Deadline: Usually September – October for the following summer; some off-cycle recruiting occurs in early spring (January/February)
Eligibility: Applicants must pursue or intend to pursue an accredited Bachelor's or Master's in Accounting, IT, or a related field
The Deloitte – SHINE Program is an internship within Deloitte’s Client & Market Growth (CMG) organization, where you will work on internal services projects related to marketing, communications, and business growth activities. As a SHINE Intern, you will be assigned to teams that support market targeting initiatives, promotional materials, communications efforts, and client engagement projects. You will collaborate with professionals across departments and help coordinate timelines, project work, and marketing-related tasks with diverse groups of colleagues. During the internship, you will also take part in structured opportunities to build professional connections and learn about how the CMG function operates at Deloitte.
5. KPMG Embark Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the United States
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 100–150 scholars annually
Dates: Summer (multi-year program with summer internship rotations)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: First-generation or Community College students pursuing or intending to pursue a Bachelor's or Master of accounting (or other equivalent) or IT-related degree from an accredited college/university; upon completion of the program, candidates must have at least 3 additional semesters (or equivalent for quarter schools) to complete before obtaining their degree and/or CPA eligibility requirements
The KPMG Embark Scholars Program is a multi-year internship initiative where you will participate in a structured learning and professional development experience with KPMG. During the program, you will participate in training and rotate through different service areas of the firm, including Audit, Tax, and Advisory, to explore how these practices function. You will work alongside KPMG professionals and be connected to a network of colleagues across functions to support your exposure to the firm’s work. You will also be organized into teams that collaborate on a Capstone project throughout the internship, helping you learn about teamwork and project coordination. You also engage in professional development activities throughout the summer.
6. Bates White – Summer Consultant Internship
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 25–40 interns per summer
Dates: 10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Typically, September of the previous year
Eligibility: Rising seniors
Bates White – Summer Consultant Internship allows you to work as a Summer Consultant within Bates White Economic Consulting during the summer. You will work with consulting teams on client engagements, contributing to economic, financial, and data-driven analysis used in litigation and regulatory matters. Your work will include quantitative analysis, research, and data interpretation using tools such as Excel, Stata, or R. You will also participate in a case study designed to reflect the type of analysis conducted at the firm and will receive guidance and feedback from mentors and supervisors as you progress through your assignments. Throughout the internship, you will attend training sessions, seminars, and speaker events led by Bates White professionals.
7. McKinsey – Sophomore Summer Business Analyst
Location: Multiple locations in North America
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 100–200 students
Dates: Summer; typically 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Typically, October of the previous year
Eligibility: Current undergraduate sophomores or students in their second year of undergraduate studies at U.S. or Canadian universities
McKinsey – Sophomore Summer Business Analyst is a summer program designed to introduce you to consulting work early in your undergraduate studies. The program begins with a week of structured training that covers core consulting approaches, problem-solving methods, and team workflows. You will be staffed on client project teams within a McKinsey office, where you will contribute to workstreams alongside consultants at different levels. Your responsibilities may include gathering and analyzing information, testing hypotheses, building models, and supporting the development of client recommendations. You collaborate closely with project team members and may participate in presenting findings or supporting implementation efforts. The program also includes opportunities to engage with McKinsey’s affinity networks and participate in firm-organized events during the summer.
8. EY-Parthenon Strategy: Associate Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; exact amount varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size varies by office
Dates: 10–12 weeks during the summer (approx. June – August)
Application Deadline: Typically, August-September
Eligibility: Undergraduate and MBA students
EY-Parthenon Strategy: Associate Program is an early-career strategy consulting program structured around participation in project teams across sectors and engagement types. You will work on strategy-focused engagements that vary by client, industry, and problem scope, with responsibilities aligned to the Associate role. The program is designed to expose you to different types of strategic work rather than a single functional area. Your work is conducted within small teams supported by experienced EY-Parthenon professionals. The program operates within EY-Parthenon’s broader consulting platform, using firm-standard tools, methodologies, and technology. Recruitment includes an online assessment and multiple interview stages, which may involve behavioral and case-based formats.
9. Deloitte – Discovery Internship
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by office
Dates: 7–10 weeks between June-July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Freshmen or sophomores enrolled in a 4-year degree. Minimum GPA of 3.0
Deloitte Internship Programs are in-person opportunities where you work within Deloitte’s U.S. offices on projects related to consulting, audit, technology, or business advisory. You will contribute to tasks such as data analysis, client research, process documentation, or solution development under the supervision of Deloitte professionals. The program includes orientation and team introductions to help you understand firm methodologies and professional expectations. You also participate in scheduled feedback sessions where supervisors review your work and provide guidance on technical tasks. Your responsibilities may include preparing reports, supporting client deliverables, or engaging in internal team activities as part of your assigned role. Completion of the internship is formally recognized within Deloitte’s early-career programming framework.
10. Advance – PwC's Internship Experience
Location: Varies by position; Available across multiple locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Summer: June – August (8–10 weeks); Winter: January – March/April
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate and master's students; must be ~1 year away from graduation
Advance – PwC’s Internship Experience combines client-facing work with formal training and development activities. You will participate in physical and virtual training sessions focused on firm processes, technical areas, and leadership development. The internship includes client assignments where you work with PwC professionals across levels, including partners, principals, and staff. You are supported by a dedicated coaching team that provides guidance and structured check-ins throughout the program. The experience also includes a shadowing component that allows you to observe the responsibilities of senior leaders and engagement managers. Additionally, you take part in organized networking activities designed to facilitate interaction across teams and service lines. Community service initiatives are incorporated to reflect the firm’s approach to responsible business practices.
11. Plante Moran Track
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by office/region
Dates: Freshmen (TRACK Leadership): Typically 2 weeks in summer; Sophomores (TRACK Internship): Typically 6 weeks (rotational)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Freshmen or sophomores pursuing a Bachelor's in Accounting, Finance, or Management Consulting; Minimum 3.0 GPA; Legal authorization to work in the U.S.
Plante Moran Track Internships are part of the firm’s campus programs designed to integrate students into client-facing teams within its professional services practices. You will be involved in ongoing client work from the start of the internship, contributing to assigned projects alongside full-time team members. The program is structured to combine project responsibilities with exposure to firm processes, professional standards, and workplace collaboration. You interact with professionals across levels, including mentors and team leads, as work progresses. Internships are positioned within a broader set of campus offerings that also include leadership-focused and rotational programs. Recruitment follows a multi-step interview process that includes application review, interviews, and offer coordination.
12. West Monroe Internships
Location: West Monroe offices across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 100+ interns across all offices and practices
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer (typically June to August)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Sophomores graduating between December and August of the following year; 3.0+ GPA, and permanent U.S. work authorization
West Monroe Internships are full-time summer roles in which you work as part of a consulting team aligned to a specific practice area and office location. You contribute to ongoing client engagements through assigned project work that follows the firm’s standard consulting processes. The internship requires in-office participation for part of the week, alongside team collaboration and meetings. Recruitment follows a rolling process, with applications reviewed as they are received and roles filled accordingly. In addition to internships, West Monroe offers early-engagement programming such as the Sophomore Series, a multi-session webinar program focused on introducing consulting and the firm’s recruiting process. These sessions include guided discussions, case-related preparation, and opportunities to interact with firm professionals.
13. A&M's Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2–5 interns per specific practice group/office
Dates: Typically early June to mid-August; some regions offer year-round internships lasting up to four months
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students, including rising juniors and seniors
The Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) Internship Program is a highly competitive, "operator-focused" program that differs from traditional strategy consulting by focusing on operational diagnostics, restructuring, and turnaround. In this program, you will work within assigned teams on defined initiatives, contributing to project deliverables based on regional and functional needs. The program combines day-to-day project work with scheduled development activities and exposure to firm processes. You receive guidance from experienced professionals who provide oversight and feedback throughout the internship. Collaboration is emphasized through regular interaction with interns and full-time team members.
14. Crowe Student Internships
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by office
Dates: Spring and summer; typically 8–10 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by role and campus recruiting cycle
Eligibility: Undergraduates pursuing a Bachelor's (typically juniors) in Accounting, Finance, or related fields
In this internship, you work on assigned projects and client engagements that align with the firm’s service areas, contributing to ongoing work rather than simulated tasks. The program includes structured development activities such as information sessions, networking opportunities, and team-based events scheduled alongside project work. You will be supported by a career coach and a peer liaison who provide feedback and guidance throughout the internship. As part of the experience, you interact with professionals across levels, including managers and partners, during project work and firm activities. Summer interns also participate in a firmwide community service initiative and collaborate on a newsletter documenting internship experiences.
15. L.E.K. Consulting – U.S. Summer Associate Internship
Location: Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid weekly, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; typically 50 – 100 interns across all U.S. offices
Dates: 10 weeks, generally running from mid-June to mid-August
Application Deadline: Late August to mid-September
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors) from any major; 3.5+ GPA preferred
In this internship, you contribute to defined workstreams that typically involve primary and secondary research, data analysis, and synthesis of findings for internal and client-facing discussions. Your responsibilities may also include conducting interviews with stakeholders and collaborating with team members to develop conclusions and recommendations. The program begins with a one-week training program that introduces the firm’s consulting approach, analytical methods, and team processes. Throughout the internship, you are paired with a mentor team that provides ongoing guidance and feedback. Your work is integrated into the firm’s apprenticeship model, with regular interaction across different levels of the case team. The internship concludes after you have participated in the development and communication of insights delivered to the client.
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