I received admissions from Said and from HEC Paris and would appreciate some suggestions from you on what to choose in consideration of my objectives and the current recruitment market.
I am 32, Italian, undergrad Economics summa cum laude in Italy, 5 years w/e in Milan and London in finance/consulting and investment banking.
My aim is to remain in investment banking but move from risk management to M&A and probably to find first post MBA job in London or NY.

In favour of Said I see: the Oxford brand, Said's strenght in Finance, proximity to the City of London, the fact that the School has grown a lot in terms of reputation in recent years (at least based on what appears from public sources).
Not in favour of Said: no internship, no exchange, not much time to establish network (12 months programme), recently established MBA, therefore (I assume) not extensive alumni network, I heard Career Services is not too helpful.

In favour of HEC: possibility of an internship, possibility of an exchange period at Wharton or Stern or Chicago etc, I heard it has an extensive alumni network.
Not in favour of HEC: it does not carry the Oxford brand, it's in France and not near London, for some reason it looks one step lower than Said.

Your advice would be much appreciated especially in terms of job prospects.
Thanks a lot.

Mandryka