Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL)
Work area(s)
Employment type
Program
Location(s)
Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Los Angeles | New York | San Francisco + 4 offices
Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Chicago | Dallas | Denver | Houston | Los Angeles | New York | San Francisco | Seattle | Silicon Valley | Toronto | Washington, DC Show less
Description & Requirements
The BEL program was originally established as an avenue to provide initial exposure and a chance to learn about a career in professional services to undergraduate students whose backgrounds are often underrepresented in the profession.
Try out consulting to see if this career is for you
We founded the BEL program in 2009 to help undergraduate students explore a career in management consulting. If you participate in BEL, you will receive training similar to our associate consultants and be staffed with a case team where you’ll analyze a piece of the project and share your analysis. You’ll join us in-person at one of our US or Canada offices in early summer, analyze a real client situation, and present your findings to leadership. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your business acumen and see what you could gain from a career at Bain.
We welcome Black, Hispanic/Latin American and Indigenous second-year (sophomore) students that are in a four-year program to a weeklong experience to see what it is like to be an Associate Consultant at Bain. Upon completing the program, if you are excited to pursue a summer experience at Bain, you will have an opportunity to interview for our Associate Consultant Internship.
Engage with Bain leaders, including many who belong to our Black at Bain and Familia at Bain affinity groups.
Work side-by-side with case team consultants.
An experienced consultant is there to help and answer questions.
Get to know your BEL peers and others at Bain, many of whom belong to Black at Bain and Familia at Bain.
Bain will also cover expenses related to attending this program.
Meet and participate in-person, for a real feel for what it’s like, in one of our offices in the US or Canada.
Get a feel for the work and test your skills
At the end of the program, all participants will have the chance to interview for an associate consultant internship opportunity.
Get experience tackling real challenges.
Plus, meet people at Bain and build your network.
How to apply for this program
We are hoping to connect with individuals whose perspectives and experiences are historically underrepresented in our industry.
This program is for undergraduate second-year (sophomore) bachelor’s degree candidates completing their degree at a four-year institution in the US or Canada, who are Black, Hispanic/Latin American or Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Inuit, Métis and First Nations).
Apply in 2026
Applications for our 2025 program are now closed and will open in early 2026.
When applying, you’ll be asked to select up to three office preferences, as well as submit your:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Educational information
- Unofficial transcript
- Test scores (if applicable)
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Digital assessment
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After the application deadline, applicants will receive a link to take our digital assessment. The assessment is an optional part of the application process.
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Frequently asked questions
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Who is eligible for the BEL program?
Second-year (sophomore) bachelor's degree students completing their degree at a four-year institution in the US or Canada who are Black, Hispanic/Latin American, and/or Indigenous - regardless of citizenship/national origin.
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What offices participate in the BEL programs?
The BEL program is available in our US and Toronto offices.
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I'm interested in Toronto's program. Are there any differences vs. the US offices?
For the 2025 BEL Program, Toronto will be running a 2 day in-person summit. You’ll have the chance to interface with case teams, network with Bain consultants, and learn more about the Associate Consultant Intern (ACI) role. There is no stipend, however, Bain will cover all expenses during the program. Following the summit, you will have the opportunity to apply to the Associate Consultant Intern (ACI) role.
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How are participants assigned to a Bain office for BEL?
We’ll ask where you’d like to work and, in combination with your early summer availability, assign you to an office.
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Do I need to have any prior experience in consulting to participate?
Not at all. You don’t need a prior background in consulting to apply, nor to enjoy this program. We encourage you to apply no matter your major or background.
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If I’m not selected for BEL, can I still apply to Bain in the future?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. BEL is highly selective and if you aren’t selected, please stay in touch and apply for an associate consultant internship opportunity in the summer prior to your third (junior) year.
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I’m already interviewing for a summer internship. Is there a way to interview early for the associate consultant intern role?
You’ll have to ask your school’s recruiter. Find their contact information by navigating to your school’s homepage.
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I am having trouble submitting an application, who can I contact?
For technical application questions, please reach out to NAundergradrecruiting@bain.com.
