ESSEC vs Bocconi vs LBS
Hey guys,
I want to go into IB or consulting and would like to start working in London or DACH (that is where I am from) with the prospect of moving to the US someday.
So far, my Bachelors have been sponsored by a non IB/non consulting company so I lack experience in these fields.
I am in my final decision making between the MiM programs of these three schools. I got scholarships at ESSEC and Bocconi, therefore I tend towards ESSEC because of the chance to make several internships during this program (not possible at LBS or Bocconi). I guess the brand of LBS and Bocconi is better, especially outside of France but I could only make one internship then and I would like to make more (about 3 internships) which is only possible at ESSEC.
Therefore, I think about sacrifice some brand for the internships but I am afraid that I might not get into any internships in BB, EB and MBB with ESSEC.
Would do you guys think I should do?
Thanks a lot.
For London there's a very clear hierarchy of LBS > Bocconi > ESSEC. ESSEC isn't impossible, but it will make your life much harder. Up to you if you think the possibility of internships will be a worthwhile trade-off.
Hey, thanks for your answer. I am aware of that hierarchy. However, I thought that ESSEC wouldn't prevent me from getting into the interview and then I am on my own either way. And having several internships might increase the chance of receiving a return-offer.
Or do I get that backwards?
How strong is your UG - grade, subject, institution? I think you'll get a couple of interviews from ESSEC, but I think you'll get more rejections than first round interviews to be honest, even with internships. LBS is definitely the safe choice here. I'd probably avoid Bocconi - though it's a great institution - as most of the students coming from there to London already have significant internship experience. Without the opportunity to do that there, I think that will be tough.
For you, I would go LBS > ESSEC > Bocconi. LBS because it's by far the best on your list, then ESSEC because it gives you more times to complete internships. Also, would you mind sharing your stats and work experience?
Hey, thanks for your honest opinion. I've been working for one of the largest reinsurers for three years now aside from my UG. I am at a German non-target school right now but with an extremely strong GPA.
With having only one internship during my time at LBS, I just thought I won't be skilled enough to make it later on. At ESSEC, I could build myself a skillset through up to three 3 month internships. But sure, LBS is the brand to go to in Europe.
Isn’t LBS’s GMIM 2 years? Is there a way you could do this one to give yourself more time to complete internships?
I'll go definitely with LBS especially if you are talking about MIM Bocconi rather than the MSc Finance. Even if you are not going for a quant job, the Finance Master has more recognition than the Management one for IB too, but that's my personal experience. I'll go with the elite UK school, it would be easier for you to land a cool job in LN.
Thanks for your input.
I totally feel that opinion, it’s really tough right now.
Exactly. Happy to be helpful. If you are going for LN, then studying in the UK is the best choice. I'll leave the other options after the previous one for sure.
Aside from the more flexible curriculum (longer time + more internships), I think that one overlooked advantage that ESSEC and Bocconi have over LBS is what you can do with exchange programs.
For instance, at ESSEC you can take an MBA-level exchange in an M7 like Chicago, Northwestern, or UC Berkeley (others: Duke, Darthmouth, Cornell, etc.). You get some of their branding + technical knowledge and networks from their classes. There's also an exchange at LBS too. And by doing this, you won't even have to sacrifice the prospect of taking several internships first. For Bocconi, there's CEMS - which may not be as important in Finance but can be nice if you suddenly decide to target other fields too.
Here's an example of someone who benefitted from the multiple internships + M7 exchange.
Here's an example of someone who took it slow as well but had offers from Goldman and Bain.
You don’t get additional branding from mere exchanges. Only dual degrees
GO LBS.
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