If one fails to get into prestigious top strat house at graduate level but wants to try again at associate level,which of the following is the right course of action upon leaving college:1)Join tier 2/3 consulting firm,the likes of accentute,deloitte 2)Join a blue chip graduate program such as Diageo,BP,Shell etcI think 20 may be a better option in the long run but it will be interesting to hear other peoples opinions..

Very good question: would be interested in answer as well. Anybody?

As some one who is currently doing option 1) I too would be very keen to know the answer.Aren't associates often recruited post-MBA? In that case I would guess that is more important to get a place in a good business school, so you are better off choosing the option that helps you secure this.

IT DOESN'T MATTER what you do. Business schools will be interested in ballet dancers and fighter pilots as much as the "options" you have mentioned. Outstanding achievement in your field is what is required, not the bald fact of being able to state a nice brand on your CV. What they don't want is an entire classfull of consultants. Or people from Shell.So choose the option that interests you and which you will be good at!