Pre-MBA program
Build your BASE at Bain
Build your BASE at Bain
We’re excited to launch our annual Building and Supporting Excellence (BASE) Scholars Program in all of our US and Toronto offices. BASE is a foundational part of our commitment to meet, hire and nurture the next generation of Black, Hispanic/Latinx and Indigenous business leaders.
As a BASE Scholar, you'll receive:
- An in-person “week in the life” of a Bain consultant (“BASE Camp” held July 23-29 or July 30-August 5)
- A personal network of Bain mentors for business school and beyond
- Membership in a diverse community of future business leaders
- An opportunity to secure a 2023 Summer Associate offer before starting business school
The application is closed.
We encourage you to apply if you meet the following criteria:
- Identify as Black, Hispanic/Latinx and/or Indigenous
- Plan to start a full-time two-year MBA program in fall 2022
- Have an interest in joining any of Bain’s US or Toronto offices after business school
What to expect at BASE Camp
BASE Camp is a week-long internship designed to help you get a feel for life as a Bain consultant, whether or not you have any prior business experience.
You will get an immersive introduction to strategy consulting as you are staffed to a real case for a real Bain client, working alongside our leaders, consultants and fellow BASE Scholars to crack a problem and grow your business toolkit.
You will also get a chance to build your network of mentors and MBA peers through interactive training sessions and social events.

Apply to BASE
Attend BASE Camp
Intern at Bain
Hear from past Scholars
Hear from past Scholars
"BASE provided me with the opportunity to experience life as a consultant before committing to any firm or even the industry at all. Given my background as an engineer prior to business school, it was important to me to make the right decision in terms of where I would pivot into post-business school. BASE was the perfect opportunity to confirm my initial intuitions."
Tyreese Brewington
2021 Atlanta Scholar
Darden School of Business
"BASE not only allows you to determine if Bain is a good fit but also whether consulting is the right career for you. No other program out there will give you such a hands-on view into the day-to-day world of consulting before you intern."
Courtney Hardy
2020 Boston Scholar
Harvard Business School
"As someone coming from a non-business background, BASE was an amazing chance to get a sample of life as a consultant. Being immersed on a case team helped me better understand what my days would look like if I became a consultant and allowed me to experience firsthand the close culture Bain has to offer. I couldn't have felt more welcomed and supported in my first mini-case!"
Sasha Foo
2020 San Francisco Scholar
Ross School of Business
"The network I built during BASE has been invaluable. Learning what life might look like as a Bain consultant with the other BASE Scholars and cheering each other on during the program facilitated deep relationships that are still strong today in my full-time experience.
The BASE program is a no regret opportunity that's unmatched by any other firm and the absolutely most effective way to test a consulting career path."
Allan George
2019 Houston Scholar
Stern School of Business
Frequently asked questions
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Do I need to be affiliated with MLT or Consortium to apply to BASE?
No, we encourage any pre-MBA recruits who identify as Black, Hispanic/Latinx and/or Indigenous to apply.
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Will BASE Camp be in person?
We are planning for an in-person BASE Camp, and Bain will cover all travel-related expenses.
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Can I apply to both BASE and ExperienceBain? How are they different?
Yes, we encourage you to apply for BASE and ExperienceBain if you are eligible and interested. Both programs provide an introduction to consulting and Bain before starting business school, but they are different experiences.
BASE is a highly selective program currently open only to pre-MBA recruits who identify as Black, Hispanic/Latinx and/or Native American. The hallmark is our week-long immersive BASE Camp experience.
ExperienceBain is a larger program open to all incoming MBA students heading to select schools. It features a robust lineup of programming throughout the summer, including opportunities to learn about our DE&I initiatives and affinity groups.
If you are selected for BASE, we will help you navigate any potential overlaps with ExperienceBain.
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How should I choose a Bain office in my BASE application?
We suggest you select the office that you are interested in joining for BASE Camp in summer 2022 and for a summer associate internship in summer 2023 should you receive an offer.
All US offices and Toronto are offering BASE:
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas
- Denver
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- New York
- San Francisco/Silicon Valley
- Seattle
- Toronto
- Washington, D.C.
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What is the interview process for BASE?
If you are invited to interview for BASE, you will complete two mini-interviews. Interviews will be conducted virtually in June.
We realize you haven’t started business school yet, so we are not testing specific business concepts. We just want to get a sense of how you think, how you communicate and your passion for solving problems.
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If I am not selected for BASE, can I still apply to Bain in the future?
Absolutely, and we encourage it! BASE is a highly selective program. If you are not selected for BASE, we would love to keep in touch and reconnect on campus. In the past years, we have hired several BASE applicants as summer associates and our full-time roles even though we didn't have space for them in the BASE program itself.
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What is Bain’s COVID-19 policy for BASE ?
BASE Scholars must have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and be fully vaccinated (established 2 weeks following final dose) by in-person BASE events.