Difference between fellow and BA at McK

BCG entry level MBB McKinsey
New answer on Jul 14, 2020
4 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Jul 12, 2020

Hi all!

I've recently accepted a position as a fellow at McKinsey Pakistan. What are the differences between a fellow and a BA?

Also how are entry level positions different than post MBA positions in terms of expectations, settling in quickly and the up our out culture?

Thank you!

(edited)

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Sidi
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replied on Jul 13, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

Historically, the Fellow position was introduced by the German office to cater for the fact that formal education level in Germany is structurally higher than in anglosaxon markets (US, UK etc). Meaning that, traditionally, a BA is a position for Bachelors. However, in Germany the Bachelor's degree never had good recognition, and German companies would not accept a Bachelor as a Consultant who can be taken seriously (in fact, there wasn't even a really comparable university degree in Germany, because the first formal degree you would get from a German university would be a "Diplom", which is equivalent to the Master). So the German McK Office felt that they needed some intermediate entry position - more senior than a BA, but less senior than an Associate. This is how the "Fellow" position came to life. Over the years, several other offices/geographies have adopted this Fellow position.

Hope this helps!

Cheers, Sidi

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Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Thanks! I enjoyed reading your answer, really informative :)

Francesco
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Content Creator
updated an answer on Jul 20, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

A BA is someone who is coming straight from undergrad or, in some countries, a Master. After 2 years + MBA or 3-4 years without MBA, a BA can become an Associate.

A Fellow BA is a position used in some countries as a step before BA.

You can find some more information at the following link of McKinsey Brazil, by clicking on "Current students and recent graduates":

https://www.mckinsey.com/br/en/careers/role-descriptions

Best,

Francesco

(edited)

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Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Thanks Francesco!

Clara
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Content Creator
replied on Jul 13, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

I did not know this applied also in Pakistan.

It´s a classic from the DACH area, since there, there is a different between undergrads and people with a masters, and they do have different levels and pay even as entry level.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous replied on Jul 14, 2020

Dear A,

Business Analyst is an entry level position for undergraduates with 2–3 years of experience. Offered in different office of McKinsey. Also, in some offices the offer a fellow position. Young Leaders Program Fellow. Both undergraduates and graduates can apply. After 2–3 years of fellowship undergraduates are promoted to Junior Associates while MBAs, Masters are promoted to Senior Associate.

If you fit into requirements, I would recommend you to apply at DACH region (Germany or Switzerland) for their strong markets, growth and exit options.


Best,

André

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Anonymous A on Jul 14, 2020

Thank you so much Andre for the detailed response! Would you know if it's possible to transfer to McK in the DACH region from Asia - considering work visa limitations?

Sidi gave the best answer

Sidi

McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers
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