Bocconi vs LSE vs ESSEC vs ESCP (MIM)

Question

Hi Everyone!

I am in the fortunate situation of being accepted to my dream Masters programs!
I have got accepted to Bocconi MSc International Management, ESSEC MIM Grande Ecole, ESCP MIM Grande Ecole and LSE MSc Management and Strategy.
And I don't know which one to choose... and it is even worse as I don't clearly know in which area (and where) I would like to work after graduation.. I am currently more an "entrepreneur guy" as I have set-up start-ups since 18yo. But we never know what the future will be and even more with the current pandemic.

In a first hint, I would go for Bocconi for several reasons:
- Well ranked MIM (less than ESCP and ESSEC) + Globally in Europe and Worldwide in its fields (more than ESCP and ESSEC)
- Opportunity to pursue a double degree and if possible at St Gallen MBF
- Opportunity to pursue a Master at Yale for a third year -> this is a big ++ for me (I would like to work in the US and see if it pleases me) 
- I always felt better about Bocconi than other schools
- Possibility of a 50% waiver + reduced housing and meals fares
However, I don't know if job placements are that good or not and if the brand is at least known in some places worldwide

ESCP would go out in my opinion: worse ranking, worse double degrees opportunities, spirit and mindset that don't completely fit, no Yale

LSE seems to be THE school to go (as far as what I saw on the internet). However, I think it is the case for its Economics, Finance fields and not Management as I didn't know their Master programs before and as it is not ranked on FT and ranked 13th on QS. 
Also, it is a 1-year program and going abroad + DD opportunities are things I really value and I don't have too much experience outside entrepreneurship.
What do you think of this University (I am not a London expert so I value LSE less than Bocconi as I don't have the necessary info and data..)?
I talked to LSE students who graduated last year and they have difficulties to find jobs while Bocconi students found jobs in City at Zurich very easily and had more help from the career centre comparing to LSE's for example...

ESSEC is a great opportunity too but as a french, I think that I would prefer studying abroad and I definitely don't want to work in Paris. Is ESSEC more renown than Bocconi, with a better job placement outside Paris?

I am really confused.. The rankings are not my concern but just a way to very approximately identify the value of the programs.. What is your opinion about those schools, which one do you value the most globally and regarding the programs?

Thank you for your help and kind advice!

DG1999 · Answer

Hey,

I would definitely recommend to go to Bocconi.

I faced a similar situation and also decided for Bocconi. If you want we can connect on Whats App or something 👍

Posted from my mobile device

alchya · Answer

Hi DG1999! Thank you for you answer and advice! I sent you a pm!

Pratt3103 · Answer

Hey!

I feel you have disregarded ESCP too easily. You said you aren't sure where you wish to work after grad, I feel ESCP would be great in this regard as it has campuses in 6 cities spread across Europe. You can make use of the career centers of all these campuses(99% placement within 3 months after grad).

Countries of employment:

58% France
10% United Kingdom
10% Germany
7% Asia Pacific
5% Europe
4% Italy
4% Americas
2% Africa/Middle East

And about the Dual Degrees, I agree Yale isn't on the list. But MIT Sloan and Cornell are.

Also, you said you are an Entrepreneur guy. Have you checked out Jean Baptiste Say Institute and the Blue Factory Startup Incubators? ESCP has specializations in tandem with these.

I see you are interested in Bocconi. Have you checked out how the employability is in Italy? And what about Italian? Are you well versed in it / plan on learning it?

Just a few more thing I feel you should consider before deciding.

alchya · Answer

Hi Pratt! You’re right and I thank you for your very helpful advice! The issue with ESCP is more a “cultural” thing. As a south french, ESCP is well below regarded face to HEC, ESSEC and even LSE or some others, but this is only my point of view! Secondly, ESCP students told me that the MIT double degree has 1 slot only for the best student and, even if I have been first in my bachelor I am not sure if I will make it at ESCP and that’s a risk I cannot bear unfortunately as I really value a good double degree... ESCP is a wonderful school with a lot of opportunities thanks to its campuses and has a good entrepreneurship mindset but it doesn’t completely have what I am looking for.. I am almost sure that I want to work in the US and try this country for the beginning of my career so Yale is really a better option (if I don’t have MIT DD) as ESCP/Bocconi are not really well known there. Well, that is said, you’re right about ESCP and it would be a pretty good choice honestly but it is also lacking this « prestige » (even if it is one of the most prestigious in this area and that a lot of people in those forums value ESCP) in MY point of view regarding how I have « grew up » in the business area, what I have heard and how my surroundings see ESCP comparing to the others. I will not work in Italy directly after grad so the employability is not my concern and as I want to make a DD at St Gallen for my second year, I would also have the opportunity to work in Switz in case the US don’t fit with me (I need a better German Speaking fist haha) Honestly, your point is clearly good, helpful and, regarding my undecided working situation, would be a good choice. But I cannot consider this school as I have Bocconi/LSE/ESSEC in my decision list which have more weight than ESCP. And a bunch of different factors put the others schools in a better position in my list. I thank you a lot a lot for your help!!

Maybe a bunch of ESCP students/alum would not agree and that’s comprehensible but this is only my point of view!

Posted from my mobile device

Pratt3103 · Answer

Fair enough. All the best :')

gchm24 · Answer

Hey,

I can relate to your question, since I was also in a similar position back in 2019. I was considering Bocconi, LSE and ESSEC for my masters - and ended up choosing the latter.

I had already done my BSc. in Bocconi and, while it was a fantastic experience (it is a super-school), I had the impression of not being properly coached with respect to the job market. I learned a lot, but the experience was way too academical and not "hands-on" enough. So I decided that it was time to move somewhere else.

I then decided not to apply to LSE because the program was considerably more expensive than the other two (taking into account that it is a one year program, mostly only based in London). I also found information regarding the median salary of LSE graduates, and it was not high enough to consider it as a good investment.

ESSEC, on the other hand, offered a program that would prepare me for the job market, could allow me to customize the program according to my interests/needs, and had plenty of opportunities to go abroad. There is, in fact, a very good career service center that helped me prepare to find cool internships (there are career counselors for example, or mentors) and the average salary of an ESSEC graduate is actually high enough to consider the program a good investment. There is also the possibility to choose "chairs" and "tracks" to specialize in a specific area (I am doing corporate finance, for example...but there are also specializations in entrepreneurship, luxury, etc.). And, finally, it is possible either to go on exchange/double degree abroad, or to enjoy of the international campuses (in Singapore and in Rabat).

Overall, I am happy with my choice and I would recommend ESSEC for the MiM program. Feel free to ask me anything, in case you have some questions!

alchya · Answer

Hi gchm24! Thank you for sharing your experience and advice! I sincerely appreciate it!
ESSEC is the school that makes me hesitating with Bocconi. However, even if ESSEC is a wonderful school with plenties of opportunities, a few things make it less attractive regarding my background.
As I am french and I already have a french Bachelor I have enough connections to work in Paris and then ask for ESSEC's average salary if I go for Bocconi. ESSEC is extremely Asia centred and, after asking a lot of people, Bocconi is better known in the US than ESSEC (but less known than LSE). Furthermore, the opportunity of pursuing a Master degree at Yale is non-negligible and ESSEC doesn't offer this. Also, as I already have a french bachelor I would prefer pursuing a bunch of degrees abroad (as you have done by going outside of Italy and going to ESSEC). ESSEC's Double Degrees do not fit my aspirations (mostly Asians DD) and for example, St Gallen MBF DD with Bocconi would be a better choice for me.
ESSEC has a lot of good aspects but Bocconi has more matching aspirations and opportunities regarding my objectives.
I think that my choice is made and that I will go for Bocconi! 
I thank you a lot for your help and wish you the best during your studies at ESSEC!!

Art200 · Answer

I would recommend LSE. it is in London and has massive reach. Never go to ESCP or ESSEC. French schools are only good for France (and if you go pick ESSEC, way way better). If you do not want to go to London then go to Bocconi much better than the other two! Good luck

aznek2 · Answer

Hi!! I am facing the same choice between LSE and Bocconi. Now that it’s been a few years, please could you advise me? I really need help ☹️

quisquamveniam · Answer

Hey! LSE, bocconi and escp would be top choices if you want international recognition, and to enter the most competitive jobs in IB or consulting. Lse is obvious one, Bocconi is decent for management but mif is the best. Escp is an obvious one too seeing their ranking and placements in London, dubai, paris etc.

Speaking to my friends at Essec, they have a lot of trouble getting to London compared to HEC and Escp since it has worse brand and does not have the physical campus like escp does there. For middle east lse, Bocconi, lbs, insead, escp and hec are the best

Bocconi vs LSE vs ESSEC vs ESCP (MIM)

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