From Tuck Consulting Bootcamp to McKinsey—and Beyond

By Tuck Communications

Tuck Undergraduate Education recently introduced a new program, the Tuck Consulting Bootcamp, which prepares undergraduate sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates for success in consulting recruiting. Below, Hunter Howard and Aiden Cole—both members of the inaugural Consulting Bootcamp cohort who also completed the Tuck Business Bridge Program in 2025—share takeaways from this winter’s Bootcamp and how the experience shaped their career goals after graduation. Also part of the inaugural cohort, Kennedy Edmond TUE’26 shares a social media reflection on how the Bootcamp shaped her thinking beyond consulting.

Hunter Howard Bridge’25

What sparked your interest in consulting, and did the Tuck Consulting Bootcamp change the way you think about the field?

What initially drew me to consulting was the opportunity to help organizations navigate complex challenges. I’ve always been fascinated by understanding why things perform the way they do and enjoy working to identify what truly drives outcomes. The Bootcamp not only reinforced that consulting was the right fit for my interest and strengths, but also gave me a clear understanding of why organizations hire consultants and how structured problem-solving can help leaders make better decisions. This gave me clarity in my professional pursuits, allowing me to approach recruitment with greater confidence and understanding of what I bring to the table.

Can you share any key takeaways from the Bootcamp that you found valuable?

My biggest takeaway was that consulting interviews are conversations, not examinations. While strong analytical skills are essential—what truly differentiates candidates is their ability to communicate clearly, think collaboratively, and bring their own perspective to a problem.

Just as much as the Bootcamp teaches the mechanics of being in the interview, it also emphasizes the continuous learning that effective interview preparation requires. The program made the recruiting process far more navigable by providing a structured foundation for case preparation and the broader recruiting landscape. More importantly, it taught me how to improve, not just what to know—knowledge that is often acquired informally through networks and trial-and-error.

You recently accepted a job as a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company. How did the Bootcamp influence your path to that role, and were there any sessions or skills that felt particularly relevant as you went through recruiting?

The bootcamp influenced my path to McKinsey & Co. in a few meaningful ways. Most importantly, it helped me develop a greater sense of agency as a candidate. Rather than viewing interviews as something that happened to me, I learned how to intentionally communicate my strengths, articulate my thinking, and bring more of myself into the conversation. At times, doing so felt like a risk, but the Bootcamp’s faculty reinforced the importance of being an effective individual rather than conforming to an orthodoxy of case interviewing.

One session that stood out was the Advanced Casing workshop, led by Stephen Pidgeon, executive director of Career Services. These were not complex technicals or frameworks, but dove into how to turn a good case into a great one. It reinforced that successful interviews are not simply about arriving at the correct answer, but about demonstrating judgment, communicating clearly, and making the discussion engaging for the interviewer. That perspective helped me approach interviews with greater confidence and authenticity—and frankly made interviewing more of an enjoyable than stressful experience.

Aiden Cole Bridge’25

What sparked your interest in consulting, and did the Tuck Consulting Bootcamp change the way you think about the field?

My interest in consulting came from the Tuck Business Bridge Program, which I participated in last Winter. I felt that the opportunity to work on a wide variety of business challenges was extremely interesting. I am someone who likes variety in life, and consulting felt like the place to do that. I enjoy collaborating with talented people and having a meaningful impact on others.

The Tuck Consulting Bootcamp gave me a clearer picture of what consulting actually looks like in practice. The Bootcamp helped me to learn that success in consulting is not about finding the right answer, but about making a compelling recommendation that is realistic and helpful.

Can you share any key takeaways from the Bootcamp that you found valuable—like case-solving tips or interview and career advice?

I found the case practice incredibly helpful as someone who was seeking a more concrete definition of consulting. Learning how to develop a logical framework was extremely beneficial, not just for consulting, but in many areas of my life. Practicing how to prioritize different possibilities was equally useful, as was learning to summarize my own thoughts and deliver succinct recommendations—a skill that has proved valuable well beyond consulting.

On the career side, I appreciated the advice about networking and recruiting preparation. Hearing directly from experienced consultants about their career paths and interview strategies made the consulting recruiting process feel much more approachable.

Has your Bootcamp experience shaped the way you think about your career after graduation? Were there any courses or sessions that were particularly helpful?

I found the Bootcamp experience invaluable in deciding what my career should look like post-graduation. Sessions with alumni and current Tuck students helped me expand my network and learn more about what I want my work and life to look like. While I ultimately decided to not go through the recruiting process at this time, I found casing to be a great tool for developing critical thinking. Additionally, many of the Dartmouth students I met were genuinely willing to build a community that supported each other through the consulting recruiting process, sharing interview tips and practicing casing together. 

Kennedy Edmond TUE’26

A social media reflection on the Bootcamp: