apsternb wrote:
Hello everybody!
I have postponed my decision to the very last minute and I'm still undecided, so I thought that I could share my situation here for advice.
I've been admitted to Cambridge and HEC (both with scholarships), will hear final decision from IMD next week and I'm currently being interviewed by INSEAD.
I'm a 34 year old male from Latin America. I'm a civil engineer with an MSc and I've worked for the last 6-7 years in project management (engineering and construction). My goal is to remain in Industry, probably changing to the energy sector, but I remain open to explore other options. I'm NOT interested in management consulting or IB. I would like to work in Europe and eventually come back to my country in the mid-term. I am also an EU national (Germany), so no problems with visa. It would actually be very nice to work in Germany (though it is not mandatory)
A strong point for me is that I will be going with my wife and 1 year old son and I also want them to have the best experience possible. For this reason Cambridge and IMD seem like the best options, but I also don't want to make a huge investment and not attending the best school I can for my goals.
My takes on the Schools so far:
HEC: Pro's: Best experience with the admissions team, attractive curriculum, strong in Industry, specializations
Con's: Longer program, far away from the city (thinking about my family), not very known where I'm from.
Cambridge: Pro's: Strong in tech & Entrepreneurship, concentration, attractive experiential curriculum (I realy like their projects), awesome for families, strong brand
Con's: Not much employability outside the UK, not outstanding rankings
IMD: Pro's: Strong in Industry, personalized approach, small cohort, very good for families, good options in mainland Europe, very global.
Con's: Switzerland is expensive!, not very known where I'm from I also have the sense that the first 4-5 months are extremely intense (leaving the school at 0:00 is a common thing, bad for the
family)
INSEAD: Pro's: Top school in Europe (and the world?). Incredible network, great opportunities in almost every industry, the most international one.
Con's: The most expensive program, life in Fontainebleau can be boring for families (we may need a car...). The admissions team hasn't been very helpful, unlike HEC (for me it is a sign for the
support during the program)
I'm leaning towards Cambridge Judge, but would love to hear your thoughts. Is there something I'm not considering, or maybe something I'm wrong about? What would be your advice?
I won't know about INSEAD until after my deadlines to respond to Cambridge and HEC. Should I wait for them and take the risk, even if I don't want consulting? Maybe ask for a deadline extension?
Thanks for reading
Hello
apsternbCongrats on admission/interviewed for some of the best schools in Europe
Since you want to work in Germany, why you didn't apply there ?
ESMT Berlin, Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Mannheim Business School ?
If Germany is your target then IMD for sure is best choice.
Why would you care what is known or unknown in Latin America, since you want to work/live in EU/Germany ?
And why would you apply to "such" schools if that is a con for you ?
All schools we are talking about are among best in Europe and world.
Period.
That is all that should matter to you, Latin America point of view is really irrelevant here.
Yes Switzerland is expensive if you dont work there.
Cambridge itself is one of strongest brands as university, that should be enough.
INSEAD is considered by many as best business school in Europe (mostly for consulting) along with LBS and yes you can ask them to inform you rather earlier about your standings, since you have two offers already.
All in all, keeping in mind your family situation it comes to decision between HEC and Cambridge since they offered you full ride.
Seems like Cambridge comes out as best option, and rankings do support that :
https://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolra ... nking-2019Good Luck
close
22 Mar 2019, 18:42
. 2nd the career center is...let's put it nicely.. not great. But if you want to really compare to the big daddys in Eu, the lbs and insead career centres career usually career to Europeans only and internationals are left to their own devices except for tech which hec does will in as well. This is because of cultural differences of non EU students and visas. 
