MBA in US vs Free Master in Europe?

Hi guys!

Short background: Final-year undergrad at one of the better business schools in Europe, heavy targeted from different companies.

I have for a long time had the goal of doing consulting at top 3 after graduating so I can apply to an MBA program in US, but I failed to secure an offer unfortunately. Something that should be said is that I don't really have a great interest for consulting but I knew it was one of the best ways to get into an MBA program which was my goal.

The dilemma that I'm facing now is whether I should postpone my graduation one year to again try to secure an offer so I could still chase my dream or to "give" up and get a Master from the same uni or another European and get on with my life.

I think my problem roots in my ridiculous obsession with the prestige and "opportunities" that can be found at for example HBS. Truth be told, that's it. I don't have any career goals, it's only the thought that it would be awesome to put HBS on my resume that gets me. If you actually compare the best Masters in finance in Europe, the career opportunities are equally good in terms of placement with MBB or GS/MS/JPM (of course for London and regional offices). The only difference is that MBA from HBS in terms of brand recognition and prestige is better than for instance an MSc from LSE/HEC et. Should also take into consideration that an European education is free for me.

I just need someone to confirm my thoughts, that there are not any distinctive differences that will affect my future life comparing a free MSc in Europe with an MBA in US.

Apologies for this post before-hand. I know that prestige obsession is ridiculous but I can't fight it haha.

Cheers,

 
Best Response
youjustgotlittup:

I know for a fact that at LSE it is difficult to get a scholarship, especially a full one, so yea, OP better count on it that its gonna cost him big time IF he'd go to LSE or something.

@OP
St Gallen, SSE, Roterdam are very cheap indeed, Bocconi is not. LSE/Oxford and also HEC are on a different level though then these schools.

Agree with Bocconi comment (a lot of scholarships and "need based aid" going around though) and disagree with HEC being on the same level as LSE/Oxbridge and above the others you mentioned. Ah well, opinions, opinions.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

Well scholarships as Matrick said, but I should point out that by top business schools, I meant more on the level of St Gallen, Bocconi, Rotterdam, SSE, etc. So a mistake from side of mentioning LSE/HEC, but they do offer potentially the same recruitment opportunities.

 

So by free you mean comparably little money spend on the degree or actually free as in 0 money paid? Did you get accepted by any of the universities you mentioned above?

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

That's what I have come to conclude recently, it's just ridiculous to have an MBA as a goal and I think the problem rooted with my prestige hunt etc and immaturity.. I mean in Europe, you don't even need an MBA for most positions for example within PE to step up in the ranks so it's totally not worth it considering the costs.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts, really makes me feel better haha, specially coming from someone like you!

 

this is just me & I like prestige but I do not obsess about it:

See if the free MSc admission can be postponed a year or two ... get a good business/finance related job ... network with the consulting firms while working full time.... work full time & get some real world experience ... go for free MSc & try to get a consulting offer through the network..

 

Thanks for your thoughts, however I cannot see the advantage of this? I can just do the MSc directly and recruit for consulting afterwards without any prior work experience. Or did you mean that I should work for a couple of years so I can apply for an MBA and if I fail then do a MSc?

 

Well where do you want to work? If you want to work in consulting the UK LSE/Oxford are your only options cause SSE and Rotterdam are not gonna place a single person there. For IB thats a different but still LSE/Oxford place 10 times the people in London IB than do these other schools. If you want to work in Italy/France/Sweden than obviously Boconni/HEC/SSE are great choices (LSE and Oxford still better though, maybe with the exception of France).

 

Yeah you are totally right! Don't want to do consulting in UK (lousy pay/high living cost compared to my country) so the other schools will suffice for recruiting in my country, have even confirmed with recruiters since I have a good relationship with some of them.

 

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