INSEAD vs Booth, Wharton, NYU, Columbia

So basically I’m admitted to INSEAD January intake. I have 1.5 years of finance experience in transaction and debt between boutique banks and Big4 (got laid off because of Covid).

Can I get BB IB while doing INSEAD? I have a preMBA internship coming up fund or debt IB. A bit confused 30M

Pros INSEAD: insead short and sweet
Cons INSEAD: non finance specific school

Pros US schools: sure to get IB BB
Cons US schools: long and expensive program

 

I would take any of Booth/Wharton/CBS/Stern over INSEAD, unless cost is a significant concern. Much better finance reputation, higher quality student body, and stronger international brands

 
Most Helpful

US schools are just far better set up to be a pipeline into IB. US offices have established associate pipelines from the top 15 business schools (although I would not say it's guaranteed), while EU/UK offices really don't hire associates out of MBA the way US offices do. Obviously *some* do, but I just don't think that you'll see the same 25+ banks recruiting associates that you see at W/B/C/S.  So while you may be able to land an offer, I have to imagine it's less of a formalized pipeline. 

At this point in your career, it doesn't make any sense to me why you would do anything except absolutely maximize your chances of getting into IB (assuming that's your goal), no matter the cost. You pay down that debt incredibly fast as an associate (my *signing* bonus was 70k) - that means going to one of the core 4 finance MBAs. 

 

I agree with this post. 

You do not state where you want to pursue IB (US/UK). If you want to pursue IB in US - you have to go with an US T15 B-school. INSEAD is a great "consulting" school, but the name struggles to makes its mark in the US. If you wanted IB in the UK - you really shouldve went with LBS instead of INSEAD. LBS places extremely well in London for Associates in IB. INSEAD sends some individuals to IB in UK/Singapore - but compared to the whole class, they are a very small number. INSEAD can help you network your way for IB, but they do not have a streamlined way like LBS does for UK IB or any T15 for US IB

If IB is your main goal no matter what, you need to go to US school. If IB in UK is your main goal with consulting as your plan B, you need to take your chances with INSEAD and network REALLY hard or aim for LBS

 

INSEAD or LBS

If you're absolutely certain of what you want to do post MBA then go INSEAD since its a 1 year degree but you will be living in the middle of no where at Fontainebleau. If you know an European language even better.

Though I think if you want London LBS is the better option. LBS I would say is more "prestigious" and places not only well in London but also in continental Europe.

 

Depends where in Europe.

LBS - Can place you mainly in UK and anywhere in Europe - given you know the regional language

INSEAD - Mainly consulting for anywhere in Europe/Middle East/Asia. You need to know 3 languages to graduate anyway.

HEC-Paris - Regional school. Places somewhat in UK - but need to know regional language of the country you want to go to.

IESE - Same as HEC-Paris with somewhat of expanded network in LATM and Middle East

Oxbridge - U.K Regional Schools. 

 

You would have to be insane to take INSEAD over any of these if you want to maximize options for IB. Maybe INSEAD if you are interested in EU consulting, but even then I feel like Wharton is so strong that you may get even better placement (bc huge alumni base + the few W grads that want EU jobs place incredibly well). 

 

Adipisci et minima non aliquid. Quibusdam nesciunt nam consequatur sunt perferendis atque ratione sed. Laboriosam tempore repellat delectus voluptatem sunt.

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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”