LBS MFA & HEC MiM/MiF

Hi, 

I was wondering if these programmes have rolling admissions. I understand that they have stages so applying in round 1 can be better than round 2 and so on. 

If they do have rolling admissions, is it better to apply at the very end of round 1 or at the start of round 2?

I would like to say I have a competitive profile with quantitative undergrad from Oxbridge/Imperial/LSE and a First Class expected. Still have to take GMAT Focus and would be getting around ~685. Could someone please advise when I should apply? Thanks!

16 Comments
 

For LBS MFA and HEC MiM/MiF, these programs do not operate on rolling admissions but rather follow a staged admissions process. This means that applications are reviewed in distinct rounds, and applying earlier (e.g., Round 1) is generally advantageous as there are more spots available and less competition compared to later rounds.

Given your competitive profile with a strong academic background from Oxbridge/Imperial/LSE and an expected First Class, it would be ideal to apply in Round 1. This will maximize your chances, especially since your GMAT score (~685) is competitive but not exceptionally high for these programs. Applying early demonstrates strong interest and ensures you are considered before the pool becomes more competitive in subsequent rounds.

If you are unable to meet the Round 1 deadline, applying at the start of Round 2 is better than waiting until the end of Round 1. However, prioritizing Round 1 is strongly recommended to give yourself the best shot at admission.

Sources: Applied 19x to Elite MBA programs.....this is what I learned, MSF Class of 2018, The MSF and MiM application process

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

I am French so would rather the MiM. 

Any reason to choose MiF over it? Shorter so cannot recruit for spring weeks. Same appeal to UK offices and MiM has a better appeal to Paris offices.

 

Generally said the MIF places much better into finance roles than the MiM, but this also has some bias, given that MIF students often have more pre-experience, are more focused from the start on recruitment and get more targeted resources for IB recruitment. 

The MiM allows you to do a gap year, which can be really helpful if you strike out on summer recruitment, as you can do a year of Off-Cycles and then re-apply with a lot of experience and the HEC name. It also allows you to do explore other careers than just IB. The MiM has a lot of benefits, including you being able to go abroad in your second year, it will just take a longer time until you'll be able to work, but if you are not to keen on it anyway, go for the MiM.

Regarding the GMAT, it surely is good to have a better GMAT, but realistically coming from a top undergrad a 645 is also highly competitive.

 

(OP here) Are you at HEC by any chance?

Looking to potentially recruit in Paris too as I am French so targeting the MiM. Also because it gives you more chances at summers and is literally the holy grail (alongside X) in France. 

I like how in the gap year I could do two off cycles + a summer which can get a return in either Paris or London but wanted to know how to navigate this in the best way. 

 
Most Helpful

I was at HEC three years ago.

Yes, the Grande Ecole program is the most prestigious program in France of all business schools. But be aware that this mainly applies to the French people who went through the prepa and landed a spot at HEC, as this is the part people are most impressed about.

Regarding the last question, I never recruited in France, so I can't speak on the difficulty but you frequently see people doing what you've mentioned after doing their undergrad in the UK (Off-Cycle's at a top bank/consulting/PE and maybe also a summer in London with converting one of the OCs). FT recruitment also seems bigger in France than in the UK.

Maybe one last bit of advice, try to join some clubs - its where most of the social life happens. 

Also text people on LinkedIn with similar paths, HEC is a school where most people are quite helpful and nice.

 

Hi hutcointraders

"We operate a rolling admissions process with staged deadlines."

What does this mean on the LBS MFA page then? I have confirmed that it is not rolling now but surely you can see how it is confusing

 

I see, weird. Anyways, having applied to this program no matter when you apply/interview it seems to me the final results are sent at the last possible moment no matter when you've applied in the current round. Me personally would always choose to apply R1 assuming you are prepared (confident with the essay, LORs, GMAT score etc). 

 

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