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HEC Paris |   IMD |   
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IMD vs HEC 26 Mar 2024, 06:06
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Hello everyone,

I have been admitted to both IMD and HEC MBA programs with similar scholarships.

I am Swiss and intend to work in Switzerland afterwards and am open to a variety of industries. Here are some of my thoughts: 

Reasons for IMD
  • Rigorous and transformative program with leadership and personal growth focus (coaching, psychoanalysts etc..) 
  • Excellent brand in Switzerland
  • Limiting because I have already lived in Switzerland and although i plan to settle there post-MBA, it would be great to get another experience abroad
  • Expensive living costs 
­HEC
  • Program less focused on leadership and alumni reported that some classes/professsors weren't great
  • Longer program with opportunities for international exchange
  • Great campus with top facilities for extra-curriculars and community vibe
  • Seems like a more fun and holistic experience and once in a lifetime opportunity to be a student on campus again and live in a new city 
  • More presitgious internationally and higher ranked in most rankings
Essentially, I think that the IMD program is is more rigourous and transofrmative but the HEC experience might be richer overall. 

I would be grateful if anyone has any thoughts on the above? Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you! 
 ­
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IMD vs HEC 26 Mar 2024, 06:13
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legume123
Hello everyone,

I have been admitted to both IMD and HEC MBA programs with similar scholarships.

I am Swiss and intend to work in Switzerland afterwards and am open to a variety of industries. Here are some of my thoughts: 

Reasons for IMD

  • Rigorous and transformative program with leadership and personal growth focus (coaching, psychoanalysts etc..) 
  • Excellent brand in Switzerland
  • Limiting because I have already lived in Switzerland and although i plan to settle there post-MBA, it would be great to get another experience abroad
  • Expensive living costs 
­HEC

  • Program less focused on leadership and alumni reported that some classes/professsors weren't great
  • Longer program with opportunities for international exchange
  • Great campus with top facilities for extra-curriculars and community vibe
  • Seems like a more fun and holistic experience and once in a lifetime opportunity to be a student on campus again and live in a new city 
  • More presitgious internationally and higher ranked in most rankings
Essentially, I think that the IMD program is is more rigourous and transofrmative but the HEC experience might be richer overall. 

I would be grateful if anyone has any thoughts on the above? Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you! 
 ­
Show more
­legume123 congrats on the stellar admits! 
Just wondering, considering your enthusiasm for international exposure and your impressive profile with remarkable admits, did you apply to other schools such as LBS, INSEAD, IESE, etc.?

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA for faster revert): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]­
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IMD vs HEC 26 Mar 2024, 06:54
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Congratulations on admit... both are good schools I think IMD will be better choice especially post MBA goals and alumni networking

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IMD vs HEC 26 Mar 2024, 06:58
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Congratulations on your admits.

1. if you are planning to be in Switzerland, you may as well go to school in Switzerland and leverage the alumni and any local strength.

2. I have to disappoint you a bit and tell you that any school you go to, including Harvard and Stanford, you will be disappointed with your classes, some classes. That is just a fact not all classes will be great or amazing.

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IMD vs HEC 26 Mar 2024, 11:13
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legume123
Hello everyone,

I have been admitted to both IMD and HEC MBA programs with similar scholarships.

I am Swiss and intend to work in Switzerland afterwards and am open to a variety of industries. Here are some of my thoughts: 

Reasons for IMD

  • Rigorous and transformative program with leadership and personal growth focus (coaching, psychoanalysts etc..) 
  • Excellent brand in Switzerland
  • Limiting because I have already lived in Switzerland and although i plan to settle there post-MBA, it would be great to get another experience abroad
  • Expensive living costs 
­HEC

  • Program less focused on leadership and alumni reported that some classes/professsors weren't great
  • Longer program with opportunities for international exchange
  • Great campus with top facilities for extra-curriculars and community vibe
  • Seems like a more fun and holistic experience and once in a lifetime opportunity to be a student on campus again and live in a new city 
  • More presitgious internationally and higher ranked in most rankings
Essentially, I think that the IMD program is is more rigourous and transofrmative but the HEC experience might be richer overall. 

I would be grateful if anyone has any thoughts on the above? Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thank you! 
 
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legume123 - ­Congrats! Both are strong programs, here's 2 more factors I'd consider while deciding: class size (IMD's is smaller than HEC's) and duration (IMD is 10-12 months, while HEC is 16 months). This can help prioritize whether you prefer a smaller class (there's pros and cons here e.g. personalized support/ connections, but smaller alum-network), longer duration (to explore internships) etc.

Your post-MBA goals would also help break the tie. While both HEC and IMD have a good mix of Consulting/ Tech/ General Management careers, there's some differences in the type of roles/ companies and geographies that grads land up in - checking the latest employment reports can help.

All the best!

­Regards,
Arvind
Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat
W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: [email protected]
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IMD vs HEC 27 Mar 2024, 10:33
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­Hi everyone, 

I really appreciate all your feedback. To answer some of the questions: 
  • I did not consider LBS, INSEAD and IESE for various reasons. I will be deciding between HEC and IMD only
  • Post MBA goal is to change role and industry but not geography. The sectors that interest me are Tech, FMCG and as a last resort, consulting
  • I value the smaller class size of IMD but also the longer duration of HEC
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IMD vs HEC 31 Mar 2024, 20:25
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legume123
­Hi everyone, 

I really appreciate all your feedback. To answer some of the questions: 



  • I did not consider LBS, INSEAD and IESE for various reasons. I will be deciding between HEC and IMD only
  • Post MBA goal is to change role and industry but not geography. The sectors that interest me are Tech, FMCG and as a last resort, consulting
  • I value the smaller class size of IMD but also the longer duration of HEC


 
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­Hi @legume123 responding to the thread as requested.

As Swiss native, you have the great advantage of not needing to think about your mobility restrictions and visa issues, no matter whether you go with HEC Paris or IMD. If you are fluent in French, that's another advantage as both schools would present you with the best recruitment opportunities.

When we speak about leadership programs in the EU, two schools primarily come to mind: INSEAD and IMD. I would say some of the best leadership programs, especially for those seeking to work in the Energy, Industry, and CPG space, recruit from these schools. When I was a student at INSEAD in Fonty, I was told by the officials how some very exclusive leadership programs are only open to IMD, LBS, and INSEAD students. I also think you would be able to achieve your goals at HEC Paris while experiencing more diversity, as you mentioned. You have worked in the travel tech space, so finding roles in tech will not be challenging. But I am only coming from the point of view that some of the very unique and exclusive positions in the upper mid-level leadership are filled by IMD folks, and you as a regional native will have immense advantages there.

If you want a more holistic and diverse campus experience, HEC is a great choice. The opportunities to take up exchange programs at Yale and Sloan are also very unique to HEC if you compare them with IMD. So honestly ask yourself, if you are dead tired of being in one region for so long and you know you will have to return to it eventually, an MBA experience like HEC Paris with higher diversity, a bigger class, and opportunities for global mobility can give you a fresh perspective. On the contrary, if you want to tap into some of the best jobs in Switzerland, go with IMD.

Get personalized advice tailored to your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. Reapplying? Get a free ding analysis

Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- [email protected]­
 ­

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IMD vs HEC 31 Mar 2024, 20:30
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legume123
­Hi everyone, 

I really appreciate all your feedback. To answer some of the questions: 
  • I did not consider LBS, INSEAD and IESE for various reasons. I will be deciding between HEC and IMD only
  • Post MBA goal is to change role and industry but not geography. The sectors that interest me are Tech, FMCG and as a last resort, consulting
  • I value the smaller class size of IMD but also the longer duration of HEC
Show more

Would IMD give you a chance for an intern internship?

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IMD vs HEC 01 Apr 2024, 01:01
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Hi Aanchal,

This is some of the most insightful feedback I've received. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it. I really appreciate it. I agree that for jobs in Switzerland, IMD provides an unmatched opportunity.

bb confirming that IMD just started a summer internship option.

All the best,
Tristan