Bocconi MscF vs HEC IF vs LSE AF

Hey guys, I have been admitted to:

  • Bocconi Msc in Finance with a 100% waiver
  • HEC IF
  • LSE AF

I am an Italian who did my BSc in Economics (First Class) at a non-target with a good exchange. However, I have no relevant work experience, basically only worked summer jobs.

What do you guys think? I would love to hear your opinions!

 
 

I am worried that the 1yr programs may be a disadvantage for me who needs experience to put on my CV. Bocconi may be a better fit. However, reading about the experiences of the program that some have shared here and there really gives me doubts.

I think the study and overall environment is a lot better at HEC and LSE, but at a cost. I would need to take out a loan and I am not sure that I want to take on debt. Bocconi would be great in that regard.

For placement, from what I have read here for London: HEC > Bocconi >= LSE AF. However, will there be such a large discrepancy among these?

 

Bocconi is by far inferior to AF for London placement. What you see on LinkedIn are the ones who made it, it's selections bias. Then there are the other 250 Italians that didn't get anything and are doing 500 € month internships at random boutiques in Milan. Especially with the visa now a lot of smaller places won't hire Bocconi people anymore (have personally been told) because they need sponsorship. If you wanna be in London at all costs after your graduation go for AF. However you will struggle with HEC Mfin too, but the 1.5y will help you with a second shot

 
Most Helpful

Hi buddy. First off, congrats on the 3 offers and for getting the full ride at Bocconi !

If I were in your shoes, I would take the HEC MIF. Sure the Bocconi master is 2 years but the MIF at Bocconi is just excessively theoretical and difficult. Given that you got a full ride, I'm sure that you're a 30L type of person and that you have an easier time academically, but I really think that it's just not worth the struggle. Over the two years you can mainly only do a summer internship (and maybe a brief OC), which would be the same at a 1-year master (extend your graduation date for eligibility).

I have a couple friends at HEC and they all placed very well (for SAs or OCs) at BBs/EBs

Only reason I would take LSE AF is for the right to work in the UK haha, given that neither Bocconi nor HEC will provide you with it. Kind of rambling at this point but I'd take HEC. They place everywhere and the alumni network is ridiculous. Some firms in Paris for ex. will only (or mostly) recruit from HEC. 

Congrats again on the offers !

 

Ditch Bocconi, too academic and you will regret it. For context, I had your same background and did LSE AF with no previous exp but still broke into London IB.

-HEC: great placement, alumni are very helpful, it's in a shitty town and you get no right to work in the UK

-LSE:1y (pros and cons), alumni not so helpful, London is amazing and you get the right to work in the UK. Placement is great if you have previous exp otherwise you'll struggle big time. That being said I still made it.

Also, HEC is 1.5 years I think? You'll have two shots for summers but again it's a trade off between the awful Jouy en josas and living the best year of your life (has been for me) in London.

Bottom line: bocconi is useless here given the two other offers, HEC might give you a higher chance of breaking into good IB in London. Worked out well for me with AF and no exp but I reckon that I got lucky with a series of coincidences that led to my offer. Still, you might be next one. And opportunities arise when you are where the market is, which is London. Reply if you want more info 

 

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