Masters options with no good experience - Accepted to Bocconi

TLDR: Canadian, accepted to Bocconi MIM, no good experience, but high grades. Need to decide if going to Bocconi (September) by Friday, 8/12. 

I am accepted to Bocconi MSc International Management in September but not sure if its the right program for me.

I didn't apply for LSE/LBS etc as I didn't have the money (but I do now). That being said, I still lack relevant work experience, currently government for 9 months (which I hate as I do nothing) and previously as a co-op analyst for 18 months at telecom (marketing ops, data analyst, presenting on data usage etc), plus some 6 figure netting ventures from e-comm (not sure this holds much weight).

Why do you doubt Bocconi?
- I am Canadian, speak no Italian
Goals: I have no idea what I want to be doing, but I'd need to be to recruit in English centers, so not Milan and not Italy.

Stats:

23yo. 
Good: 760 GMAT, 4.0 BBA Finance & Economics, #1 GPA in the class
Bad: No good internship experience, not many good opps in prairie canada.

Questions:
1) Would it be bad to go to Bocconi now in the interim, given I have little going on for me here, and try to apply to programs that I think might be more suitable for me for next year LBS/LSE/HEC?
2) Am I correct in assuming with my experience LSE/LBS or similar USA programs at 40k pounds could be a crapshoot? I can afford it now, but am I really going to be competitive in those classes with my lack of experience? If then, am I trapped by my lack of experience?

 

Having a hard time in that, 1) I am graduated now for a few months, and am 23. 2)Because I am not in a major center, no 'brand name' internships exist. 2a) It seems near impossible competing against kids from bigger schools in any of these lesser internships. 

 

English only. I lack concise professional goals, mainly because I haven't been exposed to much (through relevant work placement). But I hope to work abroad for some period of time at the very least, though actually getting a job with this lack of xp seems challenging. That being said, long term (5-10 years), into something like corp dev if more traditional, or fintech as I have enjoyed my entrepreneurial ventures in the past and love working with product. 

 
Most Helpful

Some thoughts/questions as you have just graduated with no position and lack of specific direction.

**Bocconi...

MiM (Not CEMS or China programs) is a two year program with the second year dual degree of which one is Cass in London. Not the top tier in UK but it gets you to London and some recruiting options.  Does dual degree give you 2 year UK visa with Cass?

Given no specific direction the two year program gives you time to find yourself.

You also need to learn a language with the program so which one are you considering? Can you double down on that language right now?

What networking have you done and are you good at it? With the two year program you have an internship in the summer but you need to start networking very quickly after you enter the program for people like you who went to Bocconi at the top of the list.

**Apply to another school in September

It is August and you don't have an internship/position yet so that may then be several months of nothing? Can you get a research position at the university you just graduated from? Apply as soon as open so you don't have a window of not working? Contact LBS now and discuss situation with counselors now? They are there to help.

Does the other MiM programs 1 year duration give you time for find your direction for LSE/LBS?  LSE has 2 year global MiM program. LBS is 12-16 months so you get an option to extend if you don't get internships/position. LBS also has 2 year program with second year in China.

LSE focused on academics for applications so you are strong there. LBS places more emphasis on experience but is a larger program.

 

As I understand the dual degree is very competitive, something like two spots for each. Also, I'm accepted to go to London for 'in-company training', Ardea Partners, deustche and HSBC in the first week of September. Not sure how helpful that is. 
Visa - I reckon so, but, regardless as a Canadian I can get a 2yr visa as young person. 

Non-italians have to take the italian exam, yes I spend some time at it daily.  

Networking, not much. Just quick calls with alumni about the program. 

I do have a job, in government, so I do nothing and its a waste of time. 

1yr programs would suffice, I'd hope if I wasn't going to Bocconi I'd have my shit figured out by this time next year. 

 

If your not excited about Bocconi and it is a two year program, so that would make it worse.  Given all you replied I'd contact LBS and discuss situation with them and get feedback. I don't think it is a crapshoot the lack of experience. For pre-experience Masters you've got a good story (plus good GPA) as to why it would be valuable and you can apply early and hear results in the fall. Use that year of government job you can prepare / research / network for your future after you get accepted. 

 

Definitely excited and interested, would be fun and can afford it. Just unsure of what success I would have afterwards. Thanks sir. 
Do you think it would be bad going to Bocconi while trying to apply for LBS next year?

 

I personally would not do it. I think if your at Bocconi you want to give it all your focus rather than thinking about a Option B.  If you go to Bocconi, and dislike it, I'd then apply to another school, and if get accepted, the decide if you want to stay that that school for the remaining semester.  But I wouldn't start with already thinking about the exit in such a short period of time.

 

Fair sentiment. Though it is no worse a use of my time than what I am currently doing. 

 

Yeah - question is which does an adcom dislike more. Applying with gov job on the top of my resume, or leaving Bocconi. 

 

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