1. Like all other entry-level programs, it's 2 years. No exceptions, no skips for special degrees - standard for bcg mckinsey and bain.

2. Sure, if you have a damn good reason (Fulbright, Rhodes, sick family member, etc.). If you just want to take a year-long vacation, I doubt you'll keep your offer.

3. Exactly what it says in your offer letter. I've seen offers from all three - they spell all of that out.

4. Nope.

congrats

i remember in freshman year i asked a bcg associate: "do businesses listen to what you have to say? what credibility do fresh grad consultants have when telling a ceo to establish a business direction?"

i thought this was a smart question because a small business owner told me consultants were arrogant young pricks who told you what to do with businesses without any experience.

he looked at me with a glare that would kill a cow.

GotBushels, your comment and prospective monkey status brings to mind this joke:

What's the difference between you and a mallard with a cold? One's a sick duck and I can't remember how it ends, but your mother's a whore.

We can all make jokes about consultants vs. bankers, do we really have to go down that path? Especially when this kid just got an offer and is excited about it? Don't be a douche.

abcdef -

1) You're right, but the thing that you're missing from that story is that McKinsey has the discretion to bring you in at different levels just like BCG. A 5 year BS/MPH is a very different candidate than a BA, 2 years work experience, MS type candidate. From what I know, Senior Associate would probably be a one year bridge, but if you didn't interview for it and they didn't offer it you didn't get it.

2) Yeah - my experience with these bigger firms tells me that they have pretty kind HR people - they have to if they don't want attrition to go through the roof. Make a good sell but be prepped for them to say no if it's not something big like a fellowship.

I know someone with a BS from HYPSW, an MS from a top school and a few years industry experience who still went in as an Associate. PhD's, JD and MBA come in at Consultant level, but a 1 year Master's won't get you there usually.

What region are you in OP? It actually may matter in this case.

1. 2 years
2. As said before, you can defer, but you need a good reason. I've seen things like prestigious scholarships, TFA, and studying a language for a year in a foreign country be approved.
3. If you have an offer, this is clearly stated.
4. No.

Good to know that an Associate is the right position for me. Funny though that associates include Undergrads with 1 or 2 internships and Postgrads with a couple of years of experience.

The offer is from an Asian office. I know that the salary I received is average (i.e. ~ 70K) but interestingly in the offer letter the range is not specified as some of you mentioned.