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IESE |   INSEAD |   LBS |   
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sherifY
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Joined: 30 Jun 2024
Last visit: 19 Oct 2024
Posts: 15
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Location: Egypt
Schools: LBS '26 (II) INSEAD Jan'25 intake
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q73 V85 DI74
GPA: 3.88
Schools: LBS '26 (II) INSEAD Jan'25 intake
GMAT Focus 1: 615 Q73 V85 DI74
Posts: 15
Kudos: 8
Insead VS LBS VS IESE: Social aspect 07 Jul 2024, 00:39
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Hello friends,

Tl;dr: Can you share insights on best social life from LBS, Insead and IESE.

I am planning to do an European MBA. Im targeting LBS, Insead, and IESE. I am fortunate enough to already by at MBB and will be sponsored, therefore, the recruiting aspect is not a major driver for me. I did undergrad in engineering in my home country.

My main motivations of doing an MBA is experience living in Europe, taking a break from work, focusing on self-discovery, partying, making friends - hopefully lifelong friends- potentially meeting a partner, exploring other industries (tech finance), potentially geography change to either UK, Switzerland, Netherlands and as a second priority academics. I do realize i sound like a brat

From the above,


  • LBS:
    • Advantages
      • 2 year flexible program (more time for non-work things, but flexibility to go back if needed)
      • In London, so lots of activities, culture, people to meet and things to do. Additionally, ticks off "living in European major city" for me
      • Class composition is relatively more balanced than Insead, with employment reports showing consultants pivoting to tech and finance
      • Employment reports show people stay in the UK - relocation is also a potential win for me
    • Disadvantages
      • Brexit may cause friction for travel within europe & employment
        • Employment reports show people are concentrated in UK and very few in Netherlands/Switzerland. Which may be driven by r self-selection or brexit (i.e., lack of free labor movement in EU)
      • Never been to London, but i hear it can be overwhelming and very metropolitan (Vs the serene fontainebleau)
      • Lower ranked program and brand recognition
      • Potentially, the fact its in a major city means less tight-knit MBA social experience
  • Insead
    • Advantages
      • Better brand recognition and alumni network
      • Known to be a party school
      • Honestly just feels the "right" school for a consultant
      • People say the location and social aspect is unbeatable
      • Very good placement in Switzerland and netherlands
    • Disadvantages
      • Short and therefore Intense program; dont know how that would differ if i dont care about recruitment
      • No internship for September batch
      • Feel its a consulting school, which may limit my exposure to other industries (>40% in as consultants and >60% out as consultants)
      • Not in a major city, rather next to one and im unsure how that makes me feel at this stage
  • IESE
    • A: basically its in barcelona; beach, good weather, and i love the city
    • D: Much lower rank and brand recognition. Id essentially be going to chill in Barca
What are your thoughts?