HEC MiF vs MIM- Eurobros
My aim is to go into BB IB in London. Coming from a small European country with a relatively weak finance ecosystem, so my pre-master experience isn’t comparable to the German/Bocconi/LSE “Eurobro” profiles with 3–5 strong internships.
Profile:
2:1 GPA
675 GMAT
one very small/weak M&A boutique internship
one legitimate MM M&A internship, but at a firm/city with basically no London brand recognition
incoming Big 4 front-office role
Considering HEC MiF vs MiM for London high finance.
My concern with MiF is that recruiting starts immediately, so I’d effectively be competing with much stronger Eurobros using mostly my current CV + HEC brand. I’ve spoken to nationals from my country who did the MiF with limited prior experience and ended up in fairly weak/random outcomes, while candidates entering with stronger European brands seemed to do much better.
MiM gives me an extra gap year to potentially stack two much stronger internships before final recruiting, but likely delays FT by ~2 years.
So the question is basically:
Would you rather recruit immediately from HEC MiF and rely on Summers/OCs to build from there, or take the MiM and use the extra runway to stack stronger internships before recruiting for FT? (given id go into Majeure Finance in the M2, same classes as MiF)
How much do 1–2 additional strong internships actually move the needle once HEC is already on the CV?
Of course MIF but I doubt your profile is good enough to break in. In the paper, 2:1 is minimum requirement but reality is only strong 2:1 from top target like UK G5+Warwick or US T30 has a chance for MIF. Mind that they recruit only 100-120 for MIF, 50+ seats already taken by Bocconi/HSG/GermanUni/Indian-ChineseUni. Also BB/EB london is much more difficult than you think, only strong profiles or DEI candidate has a chance, most people couldn't land it right after MIF but lateral after a year or two. For HEC MiM, it's a bit tricky in admission, if your school regularly send student (only 1-2 each year is fine) to HEC, then your profiles is more than enough to break in, otherwise well well. Also after getting into MiM, approx. 40 out of 250 cohorts can choose M2 MIF, the competition is fierce, many end up at MEF/MAFM instead.
Thanks, helpful. A bit more context: my undergrad is a top target in my home country and regularly sends ~1–3 students to HEC each year, mostly MiM but also MiF. I also know a few people who got into the MiF with materially weaker experience than mine (main difference being a somewhat higher GPA)
I’ve spoken to several current/recent HEC MiM/MiF students and most actually recommended MiM for my situation, mainly because the gap year gives you two extra internship cycles to build a stronger profile before final recruiting.
On your point about MiF grads lateralling into BB/EB: where are they typically lateralling from? MM IB? boutiques? Big 4? And are you talking London specifically?
Also, on the “~40/250 can do M2 International Finance” point, that doesn’t line up with what current MiM students/alumni have told me about access to the finance specialization, so we may be referring to different tracks/years.
I also think you are fit to MiM than MIF. Lateral is more likely to MM/(lower)EB than BB and this is for London. There are total 220 in MIF (110 in MEF) this year, 100-120 is from MIF direct admission, 10-20 is from X-HEC data&finance, the rest of 100-110 is from french prepa route grande ecoles (class size 400) & international MiM(class size 250). Out of 100-110, approx. 70-80 is selected from french prepa and the rest of approx. 40 is selected from MiM, I stay firm to my data. People say MiM finance specialization even if they are in M2 MEF/MAFM (there is "finance" word in the program). Just my 2 cents.
What about a 2:1 from a semi target in the uk - Durham / Bristol with prior EB/BB experience in London?
In all honesty Hec MiF by itself doesn't place well. I've seen some weak profiles enter and the outcomes aren't suddenly better from it. Of course if you already have relevant internships and just need another year of student status then it's more practical.
Hec MiM + finance M2 is more prestigious, and better seen. Especially for those who want to build experiences first and have the best chances at finishing with a top full time role.
Thanks, this is pretty much the concern I have. When you say MiM + Finance M2 is more prestigious / better seen, do you mean London recruiters actually distinguish it from the direct MiF, or mainly that MiM students tend to have much stronger CVs by final recruiting because of the gap year?
I’ve spoken to a few recent HEC MiM/MiF people who told me recruiters don’t really differentiate much once you’re in the same International Finance cohort, so curious what you’ve seen in practice.
And given my profile specifically, would you still take MiM even with the ~2 year delay to FT?
Yes that's the distinction I'd make. If you have enough relevant experiences then you don't need 2-3 years to recruit. The MiF would work fine. In London they don't differentiate.
From your experiences I'd say the MiF can work but it is a bit riskier. With MiM you get 2 recruiting cycles essentially (1st year and gap). So technically the chances are higher. Although also think about your gap. If you don't get a London summer/off cycle then your next best chance is Paris which without French is very hard. 3rd best would be in your home country.
HEC MiM is more prestigious. Especially within prepa route. Bocconi isn't at all the level of target "Eurobro" like LSE, HEC, Oxofrd, LBS or HSG.
Interesting. When you say MiM is more prestigious, do you mean mainly within the French/prepa ecosystem, or also for London recruiting? (im not prepa)
From the outside, my impression was that for internationals the main advantage of MiM is more the extra time / gap-year experience than a huge branding difference vs direct MiF.
Also curious on the Bocconi point. I’ve always thought Bocconi places very well into London, so would be interested in how you’re thinking about that distinction
Now continental schools place less well than UK targets (at both bachelor and master level). Best is to go for top UK targets for masters and go to a cheaper bachelor (get good grades + GMAT). Then, go for LSE, LBS or Oxford!
What about HEC MiM/M2 finance and no gap year as a middle ground?
Yeah, that’s probably the ideal middle ground if I have a strong Summer secured by the time I need to decide on the gap.
The issue is that, from what current MiM students told me, the gap decision is binding around March, so you have to choose before knowing whether the Summer converts. If I don’t have a genuinely strong Summer by then, skipping the gap just to save time feels like giving up two extra internship cycles on hope.
So my current thinking is basically: strong Summer by March → seriously consider no gap; otherwise gap year.
Ive also heard that its very very hard to get a summer, most people can't and only get off cycles.
Currently at HEC MIF. I think your profile is fine for the program. Of course London recruiting is tough for SA and most people end up with OCs, but with your profile and consistency when it comes to applications you will enter some processes IMO.
Can I pm you? Would love to know more about your experience!
I PMd you
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