Looking for guidance on my best route into consulting

I would really appreciate some perspective from people here who have made the jump or who are already inside MBB.

My background in short:

• Master’s in Technology Management from a non target school (top 70 in QS) with a 3.9 GPA

• Three years of self employed marketing consulting before grad school

• Currently doing a mix of product marketing and analytics focused work

• Rejected by McKinsey this year and planning to prep again for the next cycle

What I am struggling with is the path forward. I am doing a lot of coffee chats with consultants and alumni, but it has not translated into referrals. Most people are kind, but conversations end with general advice rather than clear next steps.

So I would love to ask the community here:

1.	What is the most realistic route into consulting for someone with my profile

2.	Does my non target Master’s make MBB out of reach, or does strong performance and relevant experience still carry weight

3.	For people who broke in after a non brand name program, what actually moved the needle for you

4.	Should I focus on Tier 2 and strong boutiques first and then try to move up after building experience, or is it better to keep aiming directly for MBB

5.	How much do referrals actually matter if the resume and cases are strong

I want to approach this with realistic expectations but also with a plan. Any honest guidance on how people with similar profiles have navigated this would really help.

Thanks in advance.