HEC vs ESSEC vs ESCP
Hello everynone!
I have been admitted to the MiM at both ESCP and ESSEC and to the Master in Economics and Finance at HEC.
I came here to get some inputs on the pros and cons of each of these programs/schools considering my career goals.
I have a Bsc from Bocconi, work experience is a summer internship at a small prop trading local firm, + 6 month in big4 M&A
Short term goal would be to land a BB or EB in either Paris or London with a preference for London (Native French - fluent in Spanish, Italian and English).
As of now these are the major pros/cons I see for each of the programs:
ESCP:
Pros: Opportunity to get a UK student visa; doing London + Paris + Madrid rotation; more chilled workload which would facilitate network + applications; MiM-Grande École still a target for Paris
Cons: Entry not that competitive, enormous cohort across Europe + not that much of a target for London
ESSEC:
Pros: Clear Nb. 2 in France above ESCP, MiM-Grande École highly targeted in Paris, possibility to do more internships, experience the Asia pacific campus
Cons: I understand it might be hard to land anything in London being MiM and not MiF + not that much of a target + no Visa
HEC:
Pros: HEC clear top 1 in terms of prestige both in France and internationally + Network
Cons: -Afraid that being the “3rd” program in terms of prestige behind the MiM and the MiF it would be weaker despite the HEC brand name. Particularly in Paris, where I imagine a highly close-minded spirit regarding anything different from the prepa + Grande École system.
-Only 1 year which would make it hard to add any internships
FYI didn’t apply to HEC MiM/MiF due to under avg gmat + Rejected from LBS MFA without interview + Waiting for LSE Msc in Finance
Overall apart from previously mentioned point, I am quite curious to know:
- Am I hurting my chance to land a BB or EB in London by not doing a Master in the UK even if it means less of a target such as Imperial?
- From anyone in the US, do you place HEC clearly above ESSEC and ESCP? Where would LSE / LBS / Imperial fit in your ranking?
- Last but not least, do you think I should consider re-applying next year to reach HEC MiM/MiF / LBS if I manage to up my gmat to something such as 710 and gather some more work exp.? Is the gap that big between those programs and the ones I currently hold offers from?
Thank you very much!
Goes like this: HEC>ESSEC>ESCP. No ones cares if it is 3rd programs, brand name is what matters. If you really want to do two years to find more internships then do ESSEC MiM (even if it is not the best but you already know that). However in France, HEC tops everything. Aim for LSE if you want to work in London.
1. HEC and ESSEC tops Imperial. Clearly aim for LSE to be good for London. Imperial is two sets lower.
2. HEC is way above the two others. LSE and LBS are at the same level of HEC (with LBS being the best). Imperial is like ESCP, so much lower...
3.If you can get LSE MSc in Finance then go for it. With a 710 GMAT you can aim for a better degree if you gather some more work experience and especially apply early. HEC MiM with your stats and some more work experience, you should be good maybe also LBS MiM (should be your aim) ;)
Hope it helps and good luck!
Thank you very much for your insightful reply.
And even if London doesn't work out and I end up applying for a job in Paris, don't you think that the HEC master could be viewed as a cash cow / less prestigious than ESSEC MiM?
for London no but Paris yes maybe with traditionalist recruiters
Only thing to add is around your question to wait a year and reapply. With only one shot at a masters if you think one year of experience at a good company plus higher GMAT is attainable then nothing wrong with being patient to get a higher quality school. Just make sure you clearly understand why you didn't get into LBS. Hopefully LSE comes through.
One note is for the HEC MiM you need to apply for the MIF (the second year finance focus) during the first year of your MiM - if that is what you were describing above. Wasn't sure if you were talking about the HEC MiM with the Finance Focus in year 2 year or the HEC MiF one year program.
Yes, I definitely agree with you on the first point.
Be it MiM with the Finance Focus in year 2 or MiF one year program, I was mentioning both but thanks :)
Btw what is your view on re-applying to LBS next year for example? Mandatory to have a significant change in work experience such as a new internship or a 30/40 points higher gmat is enough change? Overall any clue about these schools' view on re-applying?
Appreciate the help.
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