World’s Top Employers for New Grads

Rank among business students: 16
Rank (engineering students): 41

Headquarters: Boston, MA
No. of employees: 8,600

What makes it great: Like many consulting firms, BCG is big on formal training. It invests $10,000 a year per employee for training and coaching. An online learning platform offers over 600 custom courses, including specialized guides for particular industries as well as broader classes, like how to rock the first year.

BCG also touts its "apprenticeship model." On-the-job learning starts day one, with employees working on projects under the wing of more senior consultants, who are encouraged to give helpful feedback, says Lucy Brady, partner lead for recruiting in North America. Staffers also are assigned an office mate to help show them the ropes when they first arrive.

BCG has been expanding its global presence to cities like Bogotá and Tel Aviv: Thirteen of its 75 offices opened in the past five years.

What they're looking for: Prospective consultants are given case studies and intensive interviews meant to assess their problem-solving and team skills.

"We look for humility and a collaborative style that allows them to work effectively in teams," says Brady. "Natural curiosity and the drive to push the boundaries of what's possible" also are important.

Associates start as general problem-solvers, then can start developing specialties in, say, health care or media after three to five years, says Brady. --L.G.