Claremont McKenna MSF vs. Bocconi University MSF

Hi guys,

I am an international student from Southeast Asia (‘ve been studying at a state uni in the US for 4 years). I've been accepted to the two programs above and don’t know which one I should choose. Hopefully, I can get some insights from this forum.

Both schools give me generous scholarships but CMC will still put a strain on my family financially. What I care more about though are the placement prospects of the two programs and how they can facilitate my career goals.

My goal: I want to work in IB and gain a decent amount of work experience (might want to jump to consulting later but for now IB is what I want to do). I hope that in the long term (5 – 7 years), I can relocate to Singapore (don’t want to go there yet as I want to have some international experience) and eventually go back to my country. I am also thinking of doing an MBA in a top 10 US school for the brand name, which can help my relocation to Singapore/my country, but that’s just a possibility.

My comparison

Job prospects - From what I understand, CMC will give me a good chance of getting into MM IBD in the West Coast. I don’t know much about Bocconi. It seems that Bocconi has good placement for BB IBD in London for Italian students only. I don’t really know what prospects/opportunities are available at Bocconi for international students (e.g.: chance at smaller banks).

Costs: CMC gives me 75% tuition while Bocconi gives me full tuition + free housing.

Program length - I don’t want to spend too much time in school so CMC’s 1-year program is more attractive.

Geography/Social life - I don’t have specific preference between working in West Coast and London. However, working in London might help with MBA application as it brings diversity/international exposure. Also, I have never been to Europe, and the prospect of living in Milan/studying abroad in another European city is quite appealing to me. Of course, job prospect is still my priority.

My profile:
GMAT: 770
CFA L1 Passed
2-month IB internship in Southeast Asia
8-month boutique IB internship in US
4-month student-run investment fund

Thank you,

 

In your situation you should go with CMC. Bocconi is fine in europe and for italiens, but if you can't get into IBD London, your other opportunities are limited from bocconi. Working in Italy is no option (bad pay and italien language required). Getting a job in the US from bocconi is close do undoable also in my opinion!

 

CMC - Better job prospects in the US - School gaining a lot of reputation - Career Services is great - 25% tuition cost will get covered very easily if you land a decent job

Bocconi - International exposure - May land a job in London - If not then you may have to relocate to SE Asia earlier than you have planned.

Both are great options but you have weigh where you want to take the risk by paying some fees upfront and improve job prospects in the US or Have no debt (or cost) but a higher risk of not finding a job immediately

 

In terms of the quality of the programma, Bocconi has a really strong MSF, quant heavy and tough, but since you got 770 on your GMAT that probably shouldn't be a problem. Getting a job in London might be a little tricky as you do not have a work Visa but with your background it definitely sounds doable. I have never heard of Claremont McKenna so can't comment on that, although that in itself is some kind of a judgment as well obviously.

 

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