My favorite thing about working with BCG was the service in general, just getting me connected with the firm that I ended up accepting an offer from. I don't know what the difference would have been if I had applied directly, but I think going with BCG in a geographic location where I don't have connections was helpful in that it gave me a leg up over those who were applying directly because it was a new location that I don't have a lot of connections in. I would say I haven't worked with very many recruiters in the past, but I have worked with individual recruiters and I would say that BCG was generally better about communication specifically via email about updating on where things are, and I think others hit or miss on how communicative they are and how they actually work with you and that piece of it was definitely helpful for me!