McK or ATK?

There’s absolutely no shame in choosing ATK over McKinsey — it really comes down to your priorities. McKinsey will always have the stronger global brand, broader exit opportunities, and more flexibility if you decide to move industries or geographies later on. That said, if your focus is on life sciences and you feel a better cultural fit with ATK, the rapid growth of their LS practice in Europe could give you more responsibility earlier and a stronger platform in your area of interest. The “right” choice is the one that aligns with your career goals and where you think you’ll thrive day to day. Prestige matters, but so does fit and growth potential.

Congrats on the offers! Well done!

I think in the end it is always a matter of personal preference and culture fit (it seems that you may feel better connection with ATK). Nevertheless, I would always highlight that McK is undoubtedly at a higher level than ATK - that may (or may not) play role on how your career progresses.

Hi there,

There’s no shame at all in choosing ATK over McKinsey – it’s about what’s right for you, not just the brand name. A few angles to think about:

1. Life Sciences Focus

• ATK has been investing heavily in life sciences in Europe, so you’d likely get strong exposure and rapid responsibility.
• McKinsey also has a strong healthcare & pharma practice, but you may find yourself staffed more broadly across industries, especially early on.

2. Culture & Fit

• Your gut feeling matters a lot. If ATK felt more caring and supportive during recruiting, that’s a real signal. Day-to-day experience and mentorship can outweigh pure brand prestige.

3. Career Trajectory

• McKinsey opens the widest set of doors (exit opportunities, international mobility, brand). If you want optionality beyond life sciences, MBB is unmatched.
• ATK is growing fast in life sciences and could make you a specialist with a strong reputation in that space. Exits will likely skew toward pharma/biotech/healthcare corporates and PE.

4. Perception

• No, there’s no shame in not going MBB. What matters is the trajectory you build. Many consultants thrive and exit successfully from Tier 2 firms, especially in strong practices.

If you’re motivated by culture, growth opportunities, and a clear path in life sciences, ATK could be the better personal fit. If you want maximum flexibility later, McK still has an edge.

Best,

Evelina

Hi there,

There is definitely no shame in considering ATK over MBB. 

In the end, the decision lies on what you would like to optimize for. It would be useful to consider how long you expect to have your career in that company and what are the exit opportunities. 

MBB of course has a stronger and global brand so exit opportunities would be wider and more diverse. However, if ATK has strong expertise in life sciences then perhaps it could be more suitable for your profile. You should ask yourself what do you expect from the experience.

Hey there :)

There’s definitely no shame in choosing ATK if it feels like the better fit for you. McKinsey obviously has the stronger global brand and broader exit options, but if you’re excited about life sciences specifically and felt a stronger cultural connection at ATK, that can absolutely outweigh the brand name. In the end, your performance and network will matter more than the logo, and you’ll have great opportunities from both. Going with your gut usually works out best.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations! Receiving offers from both McKinsey and ATK is an outstanding achievement. In short: If ATK feels like the place where you will be supported, grow faster, and build a strong career in life sciences, then that is a perfectly valid choice. Prestige matters, but culture and opportunity often matter more in the long run. Here some more detailed thoughts:

1. The brand factor
McKinsey has unmatched global brand recognition. It can open doors across industries and geographies, and for many people it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The MBB “stamp” can be a powerful long-term asset if you plan to keep many exit options open.

2. The fit factor
That said, long-term success in consulting depends heavily on fit and culture. If you felt a stronger connection with people at ATK, that is a signal worth taking seriously. Feeling cared for and supported often translates into better learning, stronger mentorship, and higher sustainability in such a demanding career.

3. The practice factor
You mentioned life sciences specifically. ATK has indeed invested heavily in this area in Europe and is rapidly growing. That can translate into more responsibility, faster progression, and a strong specialization early in your career. 

I started at ATK and was there for ~3 years and then i moved to BCG.

Best decision in my professional career. 

Take McK. 

Happy to have a more detailed chat - just drop me a DM.

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, if you feel there's a better cultural fit with Kearney, there is no reason not to opt for this offer.
• Moreover, contrary to what other coaches have said, it's great to see that you did not fall for the prestige fallacy. Apart from applicants, prestige hardly matters; what truly matters is what you make out of your strategy consulting experience.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen