IE vs ESADE MiF
Hi guys,
I have been admitted to IE and ESADE MiF and I am extremely happy. I have done extensive researches on both schools but they are still quite hard to differentiate. My goal is to land a job in research (global, macro or equity) in an investment bank or enter graduates schemes in asset management firms or research companies (think Bloomberg). I would like to work in Switzerland for personal reasons (did not and won't apply to HSG due to my GMAT inferior to 680).
My thoughts
IE: really strong curriculum, maybe more capital markets oriented, strong placement, great reputation
ESADE: more Investment Banking oriented, possibility of a double diploma (notably in Switzerland), reputation and placement similar to IE
See ? Not so many differences. Madrid or Barcelona is in my opinion not a strong decision factor as well as the 10k price difference (I will get a loan anyway).
This post is not only meant to help me out in order to make the right decision. If you are applying to these programs, I would be happy to answer questions. If you are already admitted or currently enrolled, please share your thoughts.
Tough choice.
I actually looked at IE. But after a good advice from one of the more active members here I changed my mind. I would say that IE is on a decline but still ahead of Esade. Both have problems because of the bad job market in Spain. This is why some are no longer on their campuses over there (like Goldman). But you still get some great names like JPM, DB, Citi, etc.
Esade, on the other hand, is on the rise. Their career statistics just keep getting better but IE is still slightly better. Your problem here lies more in the place of these two schools. Look at their statistics. Most of the students end up in Spanish speaking/Latin countries. Sure they work for BB but they all work in the Latin part of the world. Since your goal is Switzerland, Esade with exchange in Switzerland might be a better option. Why? Try getting a job there. Soon you will realize that they prefer local students. There are many factors why they prefer locals. The leading one is probably the languages. If you want to work there, you must speak German, French, or Italian. The other way to get a job there is to be a really good expert. Probably world class expert…. Then they will not care about the languages. Getting a swiss school on your CV would really help you get a job there. But it is not guaranteed. Trust me… They are really demanding. I guess this is why Switzerland is the way it is.
I wholeheartedly agree with Tom. Last year I applied to both IE and ESADE MiF (+ ESADE CEMS) as well as Bocconi, and got accepted to all three. My goal was to work in London, and after a lot of research, I ended up choosing Bocconi because I was able to physically find the most graduate placements from Bocconi into London. And wouldn't you know, I now have an upcoming SA stint at a BB in London this summer, all literally thanks to the choice I made school-wise (btw, no one from IE was in my assessment centre, but there was one Spanish girl from ESADE - she got dinged).
The point of what I'm saying is very similar to what Tom said. You need to choose a school that has great placement rates into the country in which you want to work in. While IE and ESADE do place some students in London, for instance, most of these students are Spaniards (or Spanish speaking people) that are brought on to Spanish desks. This is the same at Bocconi - most SA offers went to Italians who will be working on Italian desks, although there is a sizable number of internationals who will get SA offers too. If I were you, I would do a lot of research on which schools in EU are actively recruited by Swiss offices. Of course HSG is the primary target, but I'm pretty sure you would also find that WHU, Universitat Mannheim, and maybe one or two others in Germany and Switzerland (perhaps HEC Lausanne?) have good placement rates into Switzerland. And as Tom said, the language can be a deal-breaker.
Hey. Did you get accepted into esades double degree program? I want to apply this month and am wondering about my chances... I would probably pick Esade over IE especially with the dual degree that gets you to Rotterdam or HSG for a year... But they are both pretty solid. What is your nationality? This is really important to consider in europe. If you are a german/swiss national, I would probably go with something like Mannheim or even Vienna University... Also Why did you not consider any of the english schools? If you are american I would probably even try to go to HEC Lousanne (although they speak french their don't they?). Also accounting and Finance is possible with a 680 GMAT (If i remember correctly you are guaranteed a space with a 680) That program might be in german though I don't know... Go check that out!
accounting and finance at HSG i mean of course, sorry for the confusion
Thank you so much for all your inputs.
I am french, speak a decent Spanish (still rusty so a time in Spain would make me business proficient) and possess a B2 level in German. My goal is to become business proficient in both languages by the end of the MSc. ESADE provides classes in German throughout the year.
Tom: Your insight is really appreciated, thank you again. ESADE seems really tempting then. The only two points I need to consider are: -In Catalonia you speak Catalan not Spanish, so I would have hard times to improve my language skills. -The double degree with HSG is so appealing but far from certain (competition, the welcoming school makes the final call...)
Caribou: congrats for your SA, Bocconi has a tough program and a great placement. You are totally right about language being a deal-breaker, especially in Switzerland where you need to master German to land a position (maybe only French in Private Banking in Geneva). I took a look at WHU or Frankfurt School of Finance but in case I change plans (you never know), I think I would better benefit from the reputation of the Spanish schools.
Zewa: I only applied for the MiF, not for the MiF + CEMS. You apply for the double degree during your first semester at the school if I got it right. HEC Lausanne is also a great school but I really wanted to seize this opportunity to pursue a MSc in order to discover a new environment, country, language.That's also why I did not apply to any English school. But to be fully honest woth you, my gmat score would also give me very thin chances to get in. If you have any question about the admission process, please.
I applied for the MSc Accounting and Finance at HSG two months ago mainly because it was one of the few MSc related to Finance that starts in Winter. My experience was quite singular. According to the website, you can pursue the degree in English but the admission team was not really aware of that, and asked for my German level. Later on they said they would do an exception for me and accept my application if I scored a 680 before the deadline (on the website no GMAT is required though). So I withdrew my application. I think the English version of the program must be very new (maybe the first year).
It is now puzzling me because the admission officer I got the interview with for ESADE (great experience btw) told me I could not pursue a double diploma with a school I got rejected from. So I am wondering if I did not screw my chances for HSG (knowing that I withdrew my application, that is was a different program, and not the same academic session). What do you think ?
Dam I wrote too much. Thanks again for your time.
From what I read on the page I thought that there is also an option to apply for the dual degree right away and they will tell you before you make a decision if you are going the get a spot. Which university you will end up with is decided after some time at esade. Okay the Finance Programs at the good english schools are really competitive. How was the interview experience at esade?
At first, I also got this impression regarding the double diploma, but then I called admission and they told me that applications are made during the first semester. The interview went very well, I had a very good feeling with the admission officer and I think it may have balanced my average gmat score. Basically, I told my story, answered why ESADE, why Market Finance and what are my medium term goals, how the MSc would help me achieve my professional goals. Contrary to my IE interview, I didn't get any technical, but we talked about my extra curricular. During my IE interview, I had to discuss the situation in the Eurozone, or the derivative market.
Have you made a decision yet? As I am in a similar situation - I applied to both schools and received an offer from ESADE and give myself good chances of being accepted to IE as well (had the interview last monday, how long did you wait until you heard from them?) - I've been thinking about the pros and cons of the two programmes. I want to work in Asset Management, but can't tell which school would be better. They seem to be very equal.
One week after I got a mail from IE with the contract. It's kinda funny because I just received yesterday the official admission email. So basically they first sent me the bill haha. So you will have you answer soon enough I guess.
Yeah it's a tough choice. I have been checking LinkedIn profiles of former students of both programs. I couldn't extract any relevant information. I just went through the FT ranking again and ESADE really outperforms IE in terms of Value, Placement, and Aims achieved for what it's worth. No real difference in employment, salaries though.
I am waiting for alumni answers from both schools but i's kinda hard to reach to unknown people during Christmas times. I think I'll go with ESADE, but I'll review another time both curriculum and try to find if living in Barcelona instead of Madrid really hampers one's chances to improve one's Spanish. I will also skype with an actual student. He told me that ESADE program will probably evolve in a positive way next year. I will ask him about that and I will let you know.
Please share if you find any interesting info. Btw Congrats for your admission.
I think I might have a hint about the changes of ESADE's programme, or at least about one aspect. During the interview I was told that in future you'll have the possibility to specialize in corporate finance or Asset Management, which will be stated on your diploma.
As regards Spanish, I did an exchange semester in my undergraduate course in Madrid and it's a pretty good place to learn Spanish I have to say. Many people don't really speak any foreign language, so you're kinda forced to speak Spanish. In Barcelona it's certainly not that easy in the beginning to not confuse Catalan with Spanish, but in the end all people I know who spent a considerable time in Barcelona (appr. 1 year) could speak decent Spanish when they came back. In short, I think that Madrid is the better city to learn Spanish, but it seems to work out in Barcelona too.
Great! I'm curious to hear from a current student about the programme. If I find something interesting, I'll let you know of course!
Yes Madrid is probably the best place to learn a proper Castellano, but if I am really dedicated I will be able to speak Spanish in Barcelona as well.
Unfortunately, my friend didn't have any additional information about next year's program. He is starting his international study tour, it seems to be a great feature of the MSc. However I got another student's feedback who is really satisfied from his whole experience at ESADE. If you are enrolled in the CFA program, he told me that there were many overlaps between the two curriculum but it is something to expect from any MSc in Finance. Also, there are a lot of group works and you don't get to choose your partners. The faculty is really top notch and the opportunity to take language classes is a plus.
Also, a friend of mine is studying CEMS in Sydney and nobody knows about IE in his group (can also be explained because IE is not part of CEMS, but it is still something to be aware of). Still no news from IE alumni, my deadline for IE is in a few days. I am going to accept ESADE's offer.
Keep me updated on your situation. And btw are you interested in the ESADE double diploma ?
The double degree option sounds good, but so far I haven't really thought about pursuing this path. I'm not that keen to study for another year.
As regards the general recognition of the universities, I have the impression that ESADE is better known than IE in Austria (my home country). A couple of people I talked to, such as friends, colleagues etc., know ESADE but not IE. This might also apply to Switzerland and Germany...
Yes, that's the case for the most part.
apply to masters program at the hsg (english program requires GMAT) than apply for offices in geneva and profit!
apply to masters program at the hsg (english program requires GMAT) than apply for offices in geneva and profit!
I got in touch with an alumnus who works now in Switzerland. Basically,he was also very satisfied with the placement after graduation, and pointed out that recruiters know the school/ program. I just reserved my spot at ESADE today, gonna apply for scholarships and will now focus on CFA II. Anyway, whatever your decision is, please share it. And if you choose ESADE, PM me so we'll be in touch. Good luck !
@"bakura2121" as expected I also received an offer from IE. Eventually I decided to go to ESADE, so we'll be classmates ;) I'd send you a PM, but I don't have enough bananas to do so!
I have also got admission to IE MiF 2015 intake . I have not been able to contact any alumni to gain their inputs. I am an Indian so would prefer working in an English speaking country post my grad school. I am awaiting my respose in Msc Managment from ESSEC France . What would you choose if you got both as I have to pay up IE by 5th June and get my ESSEC result also on the 5th June. Looking for a prompt reply
Hi guys! I have also have to choose between ie and esade. How was your experience at esade master in finance?
Hi guys! I also have to decide between ESADE and IE for the master in finance. How was your experience at ESADE?
i'll say IE and INSEAD have bigger reputations in U.S. Not sure about Asia region, since they just prefer ivy leagues first. I do know somebody from ESADE who joined BCG after MBA as well. so probably can't go wrong in the European continent, but think about if you want to keep an international door open.
Edited.
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