CEMS vs other masters

Question

Hi everyone,
I am going to apply for Masters in the International Business/Management field.
Here's my profile:
- GMAT 740
- BA in Economics and Banking at an Italian middle-level uni, cum laude
- 2 years working experience a a buyer in a small local firm (cable manufacturing)
- 1 year experience abroad (Erasmus)
- B2 in French
- (I still need to take the TOEFL but I hope it's going to be high enough)

I'm planning to apply to:
ESM Rotterdam CEMS
SSE Stockholm CEMS
HSG St Gallen SIM

If I gained access to all of them, do you think the SIM would be much better than the CEMS programs? 
My doubt arises from the fact that HSG is higher in the ratings, but on the other hand I like the CEMS international orientation, and also life in Rotterdam and Stockholm would seem to be easier, cheaper and more pleasurable than in St Gallen.
Also, are there maybe other programs that I should consider?

Thank you

FormerSIM · Answer

Hi emiazz, I can provide you with some input as a recent graduate from SIM. Hopefully it will help you to make up your mind, cause I know how tough this choice may be.

First of all, why do you have to choose between SIM and CEMS while you can do both at the same time? You'll need to apply in the first semester, go through a few test/interview rounds and, shall you be successful, you'll get a double degree in 2 years. A couple of my group mates followed this way and are very happy with their choice, cause CEMS definitely offers great opportunities for networking as well as numerous corporate events. But I should say that even without CEMS, SIM program is already very international in terms of its students' composition and general orientation. For example, we had a relatively small group in my generation with more than 20 nationalities present there, which is quite an intercultural mix in my opinion. Also an international internship would be a requirement of the program which also helps you to enrich your international experience.

Regarding life in St. Gallen, I can't claim that it's better than in big cities like Stockholm or Rotterdam. But it's certainly not as expensive as you probably imagine - you can live quite a comfortable life here if you are not throwing money around on some stupid things. And it's definitely not boring, cause there are always events organized by various students' associations which are numerous in HSG. Also SIM curriculum will not let you feel bored, that I can promise

Your profile seems to be quite good for SIM given their entry requirements, so you should definitely give it a serious consideration. However, it would be good to know what other expectations you have from the Master degree (other than international orientation and enjoyable lifestyle), cause this may also be very relevant for your choice in the end.

emiazz · Answer

Hi, thanks a lot for all your info. Hearing it from a recent graduate sounds very comforting.
I had not really considered the CEMS possibility at HSG because I thought it would be too hard to get in, but I'll just see if I'm admitted first, and then consider it. That would be the best of both worlds!
It's also very good to hear that life in St Gallen is enjoyable, that was probably what worried me the most.
Both HSG and CEMS (at SSE or RSM) are supposedly great programs, so I don't really have any more doubts or expectations. Great, affordable schools, with strong international curricula and in livable cities... Seems enough to me!
I guess that all I have left to do now is finish my applications and cross my fingers :-D

Thanks again, and good luck with your future efforts.

Thanks again, and good luck with your future efforts.

derAn · Answer

Hi FormerSIM, I’ve been collecting info about SIM as I’m planning to apply for the program soon and found this post of yours. I’m now studying hard to get an above 700 GMAT, also my average should not be disappointing. But I’d like to know what can be counted as extra curriculum activities and how that criteria is evaluated? Also I’d be super happy to get some insider info about the classes in SIM – are they mostly practical or theoretical? Interactive? Also could you say a few words about that social project which is also an obligatory course, cause I still don’t fully understand what to expect from it. Thanks for your help, man

FormerSIM · Answer

DerAn no probs, I’m happy to share what I know. So regarding extra curriculum activities, I can’t give you any precise criteria, but when I was applying myself I mentioned my internships, an exchange semester abroad and some volunteer projects I participated in. Although later I was asked to provide proof of every activity, so keep in mind that you’ll be probably asked to do the same when you apply. 
Then about classes… Well, you’ve probably checked the curriculum structure on the website? So there are 5 core SIM courses that you have to complete and in my opinion these are very intense, highly interactive courses that will undoubtedly enlighten your first semester :D Group work is expected in every class, and that helps you get to get to know most of your group mates very soon cause SIM class is quite small (not more than 50 people) and you’ll have to work in many different teams within a short time frame. Other classes required for this degree are usually also very practical and interactive, but it depends on what you choose yourself from a list of available courses. 
Great that you asked about the social project (SIMagination), cause that’s a truly important element of SIM. Not many of us had a clear idea of what it was when we applied, but retrospectively it has become the highlight of many students’ SIM year, certainly including me. I’m not quite sure how it will be organized next year, but in general you’ll have to plan and carry out a social project in one of the countries where it is really needed, with a potentially lasting social impact. Although not emphasized on the website, I was really impressed by how big SIMagination projects really are and how much one can learn from being engaged in that experience. But to have a better idea, you could check the projects that are currently run by students this year.

Good luck with your GMAT and application!

CEMS vs other masters

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