Bain/BCG vs. Top MM IB

Serious help needed, and please no snarky answers. I'm attending a top-20 MBA program and was fortunate enough to have received a BCG/Bain offer in non-NYC/SF location, and an offer from what this community generally views as a top-MM in the Midwest Blair/Baird. Which do I choose? Why? Looking for ideas or insights I haven't considered.

16 Comments
 

Consulting exit opps with Bain would be a lot better than getting stuck in a post-mba associate role IMO. But depends what you want to do.

 

I don’t agree with the others, but I can only speak for Europe. A friend of mine was in a similar situation 1y ago and he ended up in the MM firm in London, deal flow is excellent, higher level of exposure (he has been taking part in meetings since day 1), higher pay, but the main pro is that he is doing what he likes. Imo, here is not a matter of prestige/fit, rather what do you want to do in the next 2-10 years

 

Basically - OP needs to make an industry decision. As others have said, banking vs. consulting is very different and will lead to starkly different career paths.

If you're at MBA now - you dont get a 're-do' so its a different decision vs. kids in college. Dont listen to the people who are telling you "BCG and dont look back". If you dont want to do consulting, taking a BCG offer isnt very helpful

 

Animi fugiat aperiam qui non molestiae sequi. Quia quia et velit dolor illum libero aliquid. Tempore est non odit molestiae iure quo libero.

Modi dignissimos molestias voluptatem magnam alias aut autem. Maxime eaque corrupti nobis fugit voluptas. Neque harum est deleniti nostrum.

Aliquid deleniti et ex et perspiciatis. Minus expedita maxime a quas molestiae assumenda. Qui aspernatur deleniti quasi esse ipsa et fugit.

Dayman?

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”