LBS vs HEC vs Bocconi? Please help me!

I got accepted into HEC Grande Ecole Programme (MiM), LBS MiM and Bocconi MSc Finance. I've always wanted to study finance and work in IB or PE (I have experience in PE) in either London or Milan. Any suggestions on which programme better suits my interests? I applied to the MFA at LBS and they told me that I was a "perfect fit" for the MiM, while I applied to HEC MiM because I know that I'll have the chance to specialise in International Finance the second year. Concerning Bocconi, it's probably the most challenging and though one, highly focused on the market side but maybe it's lest prestigious compared to the other two? I hold a bachelor degree from Bocconi. I literally don't know what to do right now.

Honestly, I think that my interview with LBS was really weird, the guy started asking me some kind of technical questions such as the valuation of a company, LBO model etc I was thinking about asking them to reevaluate my profile because I don't think that the interviewer was being "fair".

I applied also to LSE MSc Finance and PE but I got rejected. I have to make a decision before the 16 and I don't know what to do. I am aware of the fact that in the UK even if you studied Management you can work in IB (I don't think that it is the same in Italy) but I know that the LBS MiM is almost identical to what I already studied during my bachelor.

 
Most Helpful

Ciao Francesco,

Firstly, keep your name anonymous on WSO - general tip. For London IB LBS>Bocconi whilst for Milan, Bocconi >LBS. You can get into IB with in London with the LBS MiM because you can easily choose modules to make it finance heavy. Another thing to consider is that Bocconi is better known in London than LBS is in Milan. Sure, both are known in both cities but take a look on LinkedIn to look at where people place. Going to Bocconi means you're top pick for Milan and in the top choices for London too (behind LSE, LBS and Oxbridge). Going to LBS means you're still in the top pick for London, but behind people who have done MFins at the usual UK targets. Additionally, you have a slight disadvantage in that the MiM will probably be slightly less respected for Milan IB than an MFin and you will still have to compete against people from Bocconi and LSE. IMO, Bocconi is a good choice and you can leverage the huge Bocconi network in London - can't do the same with the LBS network in Milan.

As for HEC, you don't really have an advantage by going there. It's less respected than Bocconi in Milan and LBS in London. Additionally, in London it may be seen on par with Bocconi but the MFin at Bocconi will likely be better recognised for London IB than the HEC MiM.

 

Bachelor degree at Bocconi in economics and management (expected grade: 110/110 with honors), GMAT 670 (I know... it's pretty low), 3 students associations (one in PE and one in consulting), internship in PE, experience at EY, training in some BB in Hong Kong (Jp, etc). Exchange at Edhec BS and summer school at LSE.

 

I just thought that it would be beneficial to attend a two year master --> penultimate year summer internships. On top of that, I studied in France and to me it seemed like it was a more prestigious programme, even if it may not be perceived like this by London employers.

 

Hmm HEC is an absolute top target and a better student experience than Bocconi or LBS. The real question is the length of a master in finance versus a master in management.

if you are keen to enjoy a few more years of studying, pick HEC and enjoy the ride plus you will learn french otherwise pick bocco

 

Dolor cum aut eligendi temporibus dolor quasi quae. Et non aut aut voluptatem quia et a repellat. Sunt eum vitae atque quis dolor necessitatibus velit voluptas. Sunt qui molestias voluptas aspernatur aut.

Reprehenderit ipsum eligendi tenetur quia. In quis quod dolore. Quidem quo quod natus voluptatem rerum rem. Perferendis sit voluptas officia.

Voluptas optio ut vitae. Consequatur sit nisi aut inventore sit sint. Laudantium harum et hic impedit. Itaque cum sapiente mollitia voluptas et. Corporis quibusdam temporibus accusamus aut. Delectus velit assumenda libero tempore.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. (++) 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (13) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (202) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (144) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”