European MBA Decision Time: Oxford vs Cambridge vs HEC Paris vs INSEAD

Hey guys, I always loved reading arguments on School choice, and I thought by the time I reached the stage I'm in now, I wouldn't have much trouble deciding. Well, I thought wrong!

The thing is: I've been accepted at Oxford/Said, Cambridge/Judge, and HEC Paris. I'm still waiting on a decision on INSEAD, which comes out March, 18th.
And I'd love your help in deciding among them!

I had the amazing opportunity to visit all their campi, and speak to alumni, admissions staff and attend interviews, which I guess put me on a position of an "informed" applicant.

My background is in IB-M&A, having worked in a large bank and smaller boutiques (5 years WE). I'm planning on making a move to general management (Industry), but I would also like to be well placed if I change my mind and decide to do Consulting instead. I intend to stay in Europe after the program (hence my choice of schools).

So, whack away at my 3 options (Said/Judge/HEC), and if you can, please provide your opinion: if also accepted at INSEAD, should I attend it above your main pick among the other 3?

Current thoughts:

Oxford/Said
Pros
- Nicest feeling overall. The culture is great, and there is an enormous range of cultural activities (it seems that a little more than Cambridge). Also, the city is the largest among the options.
- Brand recognition is arguably the best (together with Cambridge). After 5 years, the Oxbridge name in your CV will stand out much more than INSEAD, specially when you experience starts dwarfing the school in which you studied your MBA.
- Nice building and structure
- Good in-campus recruiting (MBB, Large multinationals)
Cons
- It is the lowest on ranking positions.
- It has the overall lowest salaries post grad and 5-year out (Forbes)
- More expensive (Tuition and GBP)

Cambridge/Judge
Pros
- Good placement (MBB/IBs/Large Multinationals)
- 2 different-scoped projects during the Program (VCP and GCP), besides the internship.
- A lot of tech related activities going on in the Silicon Fen
Cons
- Small MBA building. Not so much structure.
- Location (see below).
- It seems much more science-heavy culture. It is a Con for me, because I'm an engineer, so I already have that foundation, and would prefer to develop the humanities side.
- More expensive (Tuition and GBP)

HEC Paris
Pros
- Greater internship period, and a slightly larger duration overall thus not affecting the quality of other activities.
- Great Specializations (Bundled electives)
- Brand recognition. In France, for Industry, it is the most respected school, period.
Cons
- The careers office seems a little weak. There isn't much in-campus recruiting specific for MBAs. That shows on the non existing placement on Bain and BCG last year, as well as on the larger IBs.
- It is the least transparent in their Employment Report.

INSEAD
Pros
- Overall great placements. They seem to have the best careers department and the highest salaries across the board. "MBA Juggernaut"
- Ranking and prestige. It occupies (together with LBS) the 1st tier of programs
Cons
- There is no opportunity to do an internship
- The overall culture of partying (I'm not a huge party goer myself) - It seems much less serious than other programs, maybe because of younger admits.
- The fact that 70% of the cohort changes campus during the Program. To strengthen you relationships with colleagues, you have to keep up with them, and this results in a 10 month program in which you have to move abroad TWICE (Fonty to Singapore, and back).


Now, some takeaways from my visits that might not be common knowledge:

- Oxford: Medium city vibe - although small, it is very active and well provided in terms of services and shops. Feels much larger than Cambridge.
- Cambridge: Small city vibe - It is much smaller in terms of services and shops available than Oxford. It also deals (I don't know why) with a LOT more tourists than Oxford (maybe because they all concentrate around King's College). Apparently, inhabitants don't feel very happy about it. Also, the traffic is terrible.
- HEC Paris: What city? - The HEC Campus is huge and gorgeous, and there is a supermarket right next to it, but there isn't much more than that. Jouy en Josas is a very picturesque city, very calm. If you're after exciting activities, good shops or services, you'll have to take the 45 min train ride to Paris.
- INSEAD: Fontainebleau - It is a mixture of HEC Paris and Cambridge. It has an huge amazing campus, and a small city next to it, with some shops and services. Also, the town itself is very touristic, due to the Chateau de Fontainebleau.

Also, note that you are not allowed to have a car if you are a Cambridge or Oxford student. It is an unenforceable rule, but it exists.