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Was in this position. I chose Bain because I felt like I would really like the culture, and thought I might want to do PE. Two years later and I have loved every minute of it, headed to PE soon. Would choose Bain again 10/10
Entry level out of undergrad
Rising Star
Was in the same position. Chose Deloitte. Never looked back.
I came here for this post. Thank you for your reliability.
Was in the same position last year, chose Bain and it was a horrible decision. Bain is not the right place for people of color. I feel like an alien here
I didn't even apply there because of the vibes I got from tbe employees while I was exploring the three firms. 4 TERRIBLE interactions with consultants from 3 different offices. They were not upright rude but there was so much condescension and pretentiousness that I would be looking forward for the conversation to end. Every time I'd tell myself that it is probably just that person and not the firm. 4 times in, I just stopped trying to like them and decided not to apply.
On the other hand, every little interaction I had with anyone at BCG made me want to work there even more. Mckinsey fell somewhere in between but much closer to BCG.
I personally clicked with the people at BCG significantly less than McKinsey and Bain, and was leaning towards McKinsey over Bain. At the time, during college fall recruiting and with my real start date still far away, McKinsey’s hardo culture and prestige were impressive and almost won out for me. However, I ultimately ended up choosing Bain, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. Now that my start date is approaching and I’m seeing the job as my soon-to-be life instead of just a name on my resume, I’m realizing how much happier of a person I will be at Bain. All the jobs are prestigious and all will be difficult, so I think at this point, the most important thing to think about is where you would truly be happy
Artless
I was triple offered as well (post-MBA), in one of the biggest US offices.
I did not click with the BCG folks at all (no one felt like they had a personality there).
Bain vs. McK was a tough decision. Eventually my mentor (ex-McK) nudged me to Bain, as I was clicking with them by far the best. McK just gave off too much of a cut-throat vibe.
Been at Bain for a couple of years now and I absolutely love it. Hands down this is the best job I’ve ever had.
Hahahahaha sorry BCG 😘
BCG. Free healthcare and best business class policy
It’s $5 copay 😊 Honestly, it’s an amazing policy - especially for anyone looking to have kids.
Chose McK, would’ve chosen BCG in retrospect
Auto promotion (dgaf about this career in general), much better expense policy and better pay at Asc/BA level
Rising Star
McKinsey because I can easily work internationally while having a home base in a LCOL city. I’m also biased but I think we get really cool strategy work beyond PE. That matters to me.
They found some insults used previously and recycled them. It’s how they are trained
Rising Star
BCG - seem more ethical as a firm than McK, also seems a more collegiate/less cut-throat working environment.
Purely based on hearsay.
Worked for both BCG and McKinsey. McKinsey is more likely to put clients’ interests ahead of the firm’s (not purely altruistically, but in the belief that doing so will be in the best interest of the Firm long-term). BCG partners will do almost anything to make a buck. Forget ethics from either in Saudi, or course.
Picked BCG. Can't say about the other firms but really love culture, people, work, etc.
I'd say go with the firm you have more friends at. That tends to be a good guide for where you'd have the best time and fit in best.
Regarding LCOL sure.
I know ppl that were based in the LA office that didn't live in LA
Or people based in SF that lived in Arizona.
It's possible, not regularly done, but possible.
Pro
10/10 would pick McKinsey again. I’ll start with why McK - Unparalleled resources, solutions, and ability to make your career into whatever you want. My interviewers were the coolest and even speaking with Partners, I felt at ease as if we had been working together for a long time. I enjoyed their assertiveness and emphasis on leadership.
For why not BCG/Bain -
— In interviews, one of my BCG interviewers was super impatient with me and rude even though I navigated the case correctly. While this was just one interviewer it totally turned me off. Everyone else was pleasant and the recruiters were amazing. I will say I totally saw their commitment to diversity. I also heard their case resources and tools stink.
— For Bain, I saw no diversity (and decided that eventually may impact my progression) and didn’t see any investment in paths other than Associate Consultant to Partner. I like building things (e.g., solutions and technology), which Bain is not the leader for. Didn’t even pursue - I didn’t want to consult by any means necessary.
Again, this is my experience. All 3 are pretty insanely packed with talent and opportunity 🤷♂️
Rising Star
As an outside observer, the MB.....B thing feels real in terms of prestige.
But I'd still pick Bain over BCG due to the personalities of people I've met from both.
Chief
If I could pick again, I’d pick Bain
McKincest is a broadly known term for a reason too...
Listen to McK3 and reject them all if you want your life to be anything more than work.
If I wanted to stay in consulting and was already at MBB, Id leverage the brand to get a better deal at a boutique
Got offers from McK n BCG, dinged by Bain. Heart picked BCG (e.g less competitive n intimidating people), Head picked McK (e.g. Prestige, Exit Oppo).
Kind of regretted it now, here is quite political (have observed that connection trumps competency), hypocrite (lots of kool aid people here believing that BCG is much more saint than McK) n insecure
Would pick Bain out of 3 but yeah it did not happen
Chief
For more of what it’s worth, there are tons of insecure people here too 😊
Some anecdotal numbers someone posted from Australia of cross-over decisions:
McK won 60% of cross offers over BCG
McK won 100% of cross offers over Bain
BCG won 75% of cross offers over Bain
Keeping in mind that the exact percentages likely differ and that MBBs in Australia might have differences compared to their US counterparts.
M8 - 🤡 . Plenty of people choose to avoid McKinsey arrogance. The C in our summer class that didn’t get an offer went to McKinsey, so that’s a validated “reject” you scooped up
Rising Star
My take is it -always- comes down to specific office, especially considering the marginal differences there are among MBB on average.
For instance, my understanding is that in NYC, McK is the place to be——while in SF, I consistently hear that Bain beats them all (both project- and cultural-wise).
I'd reject them all.
Definitely neither. Go with Deloitte. MBBD of course
Please stop 🛑
Wish I’d picked BCG. Similar work and training, but without the cut throat sink or swim mentality. You kinda need endless grit and know how to play the game to succeed here, specifically our EM promotion process (get someone to staff you as an EM despite being an associate) is so much more painful than BCGs (get PL after 2 years if you’re performing well).
Deloitte