I’m a member of UC Berkeley’s highly competitive business club. Getting in is nearly impossible, but the privileges are worth it.

My introduction to the University of California, Berkeley, consulting clubs was almost accidental.

While I was resting on the floor of my freshman dorm, my roommate popped in and asked, “Consulting club recruitment starts tomorrow. Have you practiced casing yet?”

All I could do was stare back, confused. Not only did I have no idea what club recruitment involved, but I also had no experience with “casing,” the intense business interviews these clubs require.

Now, three years later, and heading into my junior year, I’m a proud member of one of Berkeley’s top consulting clubs. While the perks and prestige are real, and I have immensely enjoyed being part of a club, my time in this community has also revealed some deeper, more complicated dynamics that rarely make it onto club social media feeds.

The business clubs are a highly sought-after experience on campus

From the moment students first set foot on the UC Berkeley campus, they’re engulfed by a frenzy of handouts and flyers promoting a dizzying array of student organizations.

Berkeley has many business clubs, and most of them are dedicated to consulting.

These organizations promise unparalleled opportunities, including access to real-world projects with blue-chip companies, a direct pipeline to coveted MBB consulting firms, and the kind of prestige that can define an undergraduate’s résumé.

Whether focused on nonprofit initiatives, financial strategy, or classic management consulting, these clubs don’t shy away from flaunting their success.

Think: photo ops from retreats in Fiji, lavish alumni dinners at Nobu, and matching Lululemon sweatsuits emblazoned with club logos.

The recruitment process and its exclusivity

For a college student like me, the incredible allure of consulting clubs is hard to resist. Becoming a part of this exclusive network felt like winning the lottery: wildly competitive and nearly impossible to win.

In the most recent recruitment cycle, my club received more than 1,000 applications and extended offers to just seven new members. That’s an acceptance rate of 0.7%.

We applicants aren’t just evaluated on paper; we endure a variety of challenges. The process typically begins with a résumé screening, followed by two rounds of grueling behavioral and case interviews. Beyond this, we’re expected to shine at coffee chats and exclusive, invitation-only recruitment events.

All of this unfolds over a high-stress week that feels more like rushing for an elite sorority than trying to join a student organization.

The priceless value of club membership

But there’s so much more to these clubs than a flashy name on your résumé. What truly drew me in is the sense of community they cultivate.

On a massive campus like Berkeley’s, it’s all too easy to slip through the cracks and feel anonymous. My consulting club changed that for me. I’ve been able to cultivate friendships, mentorships, career opportunities, and an assortment of professional skills. The personal and professional connections I’ve made are priceless.

As a humanities student, getting crash courses on Python and other technical skills has been invaluable to my growth and career prospects.

Equally important, joining meant being welcomed into a global alumni network and a tight-knit community that genuinely wants to see me succeed because my success will lift the group as a whole.

The not-so glorious aspects of student consulting

For me, the benefits of joining a consulting club have far outweighed the challenges, but they do exist.

Adding an intensive club commitment on top of a packed course load or part-time job can sometimes stretch me to my limits. Sometimes it means putting club projects, meetings, or recruitment events ahead of academics, sleep, or even my own well-being.

While this isn’t an inevitable outcome for everyone, if you struggle with time management or feel overwhelmed during midterms and finals, the stress can quickly pile up.

The excitement of working with major companies is real, but so are the expectations for professionalism and accountability. You can’t show up halfway — for clients or for your teammates.

To join or not to join?

To me, consulting clubs are a manifestation of the intense pressure facing students to succeed in today’s economy. But they also add a lucrative opportunity to develop professionally, socially, and academically.

Prospective students should strongly consider applying to a consulting club, but must remember that, similar to the college you attend, it doesn’t define you as a person. I know that firsthand.

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