52 Comments
 

Asking this because I’m about to enter a preparatory class and, even though I think I can get HEC, I don’t know if I should do an extra year if I get ESSEC or ESCP.....

 

emL > EDHEC. However more people are keen on working in finance at EDHEC vs. emL hence a broader network in IB for EDHEC students. These two schools are one the same tier (tier 2) vs. HEC ESSEC ESCP being tier 1 (the so-called "Parisian schools") - HEC has a stronger brandname and alumni network but all should open the same doors (e.g. get your interviews)

Dauphine is not really comparable as it is a university and not a business school. Many people graduate with a BSc from Dauphine and then get their MSc from HEC/ESSEC etc. Class size at Dauphine's best master for IB ("225") is around 30 students, which limit the number of alumni to reach out to

Then, back t your question, ESSEC and ESCP place very well in IB in London. However nothing comes easy and you will have to network and be proactive wit your applications

 

Sciences Po is not good at all to get into IB. To simplify, Macron's path was Sciences Po > ENA > work 6 years as a civil servant > network like a mf, get powerful allies and tell them that you want to become president but need cash > get directly an MD role at Rothschild > quit after 4 years with enough cash > plots & schemes > president

 

Right about macron's path but ScPo's a good school with a strong brand name. I wouldn't qualify it as "not good at all to get into IB". The alumni network is smaller since not all students would suck dick to work for GS but it's still a presitigious school.

 

as a french student who followed the prepa + grande ecole path, I can share with you the common ranking to break into IB in LONDON :

HEC ESSEC ESCP - ScPo EDHEC - EM LYON Audencia - Grenoble EM

with the top 3 mentioned above, you will have interviews, you will pass the CV Screenings of BB algorithm, but the rest of the way depends on YOU and not on the school ! I have hundreds of acquaintances who attended the schools of the top 3 FR and you can be sure that you will not be ignored by the BB and EB recruiters :)

 

ESCP very strong in IB London BB (my group only has 25% alumni and all very well ranked). same goes for interns: 2/12 are ESCP (3rd year in a row now)

 

Assuming you have got into ESCP/ESSEC you will have completed the first step. If you want to get into IB/Consulting/Trading in London you need to network your ass off. You need someone inside the company to push your CV. This is true for any MIM program in continental Europe (don't know about the UK).

People who know about the French education system know HEC is the best but ESCP and ESSEC are no slouches because in France they are seen at the same level.

 

HEC is great. Rest is Btec for banking in London. ESSEC do not have a banking culture and ESCP is just btec

 

No he’s right. Only HEC places on-par with Oxbridge/LSE/LBS/UCL/Warwick in London IB. ESSEC and ESCP are significantly weaker in that regard. They’re still great schools but I wouldn’t consider them full on targets for London IB, more so top semi-targets. They’re heavily targeted for Paris IB though 

 

He is totally right! Essec and ESCP do not have a good reputation. They are only known in France. Sad to admit for you guys but it is the truth.

 

I’d have to disagree with you on that. Sciences Po is a semi target at best, the top business and engineering schools have much stronger placement. 
 

And the French presidents that Science Po “produced” also went on to ENA, which is far more responsible for their success than Sciences Po. Universities in general aren’t valued in France. Only business and engineering schools are.

 

Not talking about the Science Po institution at large, but rather its Masters in Finance and Strategy. The truth is, that Program is a beast. The only hiccup is that it is French-language-taught. Otherwise, the front-office IB/PE placement is incredible. Even students from other Paris-based business schools have admitted so. Just putting this out there.

 

I would recommend to go to UK schools over French ones. They have a way higher reach and reputation. Trust me, if you do not want to stay in France then go to the UK or the US.

 

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