This can differ by firm. For MBB firms (McKinsey, Bain, & BCG), they ask you to force rank 3 office preferences. Your application will go to your top-choice office first, they won’t review simultaneously. But not every consulting firm has as organized a recruiting process. At some boutique firms, different offices might review your application simultaneously.

Where your application is reviewed varies depending on a few things: whether you’re a student vs. an experienced professional and whether or not the firm centralizes reviewing.

Different consulting companies have different policies. What I’ve seen happen is that if you are not close to an office, the consulting firm may do an online interview for the first round.

They will want to interview you in the office for the second round so that you can meet people and get a feel for the office culture. But if you need to travel, the consulting firm will pick up the travel costs.

It’s best to confirm the process with your recruiter.