Dear all. Im looking to apply to PA Consulting as I hear many good things about the firm. Im undecided as to which practice I want to go into as both sound good. My choices are Strategy and Marketing or BOP. Could someone in the know give me the advantages and disadvantages of each, and which is likely to pay more in the short and long run. Im also looking to apply to other firms of course, so can everybody please fell free to contribute! Thank you

Hi Julian !! Good choice of firms, but then, as a recruiter for BOP, I can't say that I'm impartial !!! To answer your question, both practices work closely together, but SMP do pay slightly more. Note that the standard of entry for strategy consulting is a lot higher for all firms, than it is for operational consulting. Many of us BOPpers end up working on SMP jobs anyway, and a number have transferred across last year. Don't know if this helps. Good luck in your career with PA, or elsewhere.

Thanks for responding Cheggers. From what you have said, and in an effort to increase my chances, would it be wiser to apply to BOP as from what you have suggested I would have a greater chance (relative to SMP) of getting accepted? Do you know how many people you recruited at grad level for SMP and BOP roughly this year. Apart from PA, what other firms would you reccomend that are similar to PA's people focused approach?