Columbia vs HEC Paris

Question

I'm excited to advise I've been accepted to Columbia and based upon my HEC interviews I'm anticipating an acceptance next week. I have yet to hear from Harvard or Stanford, but in the meantime would like feedback on Columbia and HEC.

My background:  I am an American with experience in luxury fashion in New York. I am interested in learning more about luxury goods, entrepreneurship, and finance. I am torn between staying in luxury goods versus going into finance as I think it may be a better long term opportunity in terms of more money and opportunity to grow. I am also interested in starting my own company either during school or in the future. Lastly, I would like to potentially work in Europe for a few years after my MBA.

The Schools:

Reputation: Columbia has an international Ivy league reputation. HEC is the Harvard of France but it has way less of a name in the USA; may be harder to secure positions at top companies in New York down the road.

International Exposure: With HEC I will gain an EU visa and have a greater opportunity to intern and work overseas. I am interested in exploring work opportunities in Paris for a few years, and think this would be more challenging coming from Columbia. I think the only way to do it at Columbia would be through large companies that recruit such as LVMH and ask to go to their Paris versus New York office. However, what's interesting is that Columbia offers a study abroad semester at HEC, so maybe I could use that to network in Paris. The bad news is you have to apply for the study abroad and thus it's not guaranteed.

The Program / Classes: I think the schools both offer strong programs in entrepreneurship, retail/luxury goods, and finance. Columbia may have slightly stronger finance classes and HEC a slightly stronger luxury program.

Finances: HEC will be a little cheaper since it is in the French countryside versus NYC, but I don't think saving $10K is worth making a decision. I am willing to pay for the right program.

The People: I really like the vibe and people I have met at Columbia so far. I have not yet visited HEC but liked the alums that interviewed me. I think if I get the confirmed offer it may be wise to spend the money and fly to France for a few days and check it out.

Conclusion:  I think Columbia may be the safer bet since it's a well known Ivy league, but I'm not 100% sure. Thanks for reading and appreciate everyone's thoughts!

angelfire213 · Answer

you might want to include a poll for more responses.

wanted to address something you said

With HEC I will gain an EU visa and have a greater opportunity to intern and work overseas

that is incorrect. You will not get EU work opportunities because you went to HEC. Companies will still have to decide to hire you and then file for you.....France is notoriously one of the hardest places for non-eu ppl to get work. The rest of Europe is possible but don't be fooled into thinking it's a sho-in.

I'm not sure what I'd do... probably take Columbia and do a semester abroad TBH

gcb09173 · Answer

This ones easy - CBS.

Use the study abroad semester at HEC if you want to pursue that route - Even with the application HEC wont be one of the top choice schools so you'll have a good chance of getting to go.

Do you speak fluent French? If not the difficulty of getting a job at a firm that will sponsor the visa application is magnified significantly...

spinmeround · Answer

Thank you both for the comments, it is greatly appreciated. I spoke with some more people as well and they advised that the only way to land a job at a French firm is if your French skills are impeccable. Mine are just ok at the moment, I have lost my fluency by not using it. The consensus overall seems to be to go to Columbia, perhaps do a semester abroad, and get my French skills back up to par.

Let me know if you have any additional thoughts.

Let me know if you have any additional thoughts.

gcb09173 · Answer

Think you've got a strong course of action there.

Wait and see if you get the offer form HEC (and any scholarship decision) - if positive then consider flying out to see the program and then make your decision on that basis.

It might be worth trying to locate a CBS student who's been across to HEC? Find out what they thought of the school etc and whether they had any opportunity to recruit to French firms? They'd have an interesting perspective on it and CBS should put you in touch as an admit if you ask politely?

gcb09173 · Answer

Think you've got a strong course of action there.

Wait and see if you get the offer form HEC (and any scholarship decision) - if positive then consider flying out to see the program and then make your decision on that basis.

It might be worth trying to locate a CBS student who's been across to HEC? Find out what they thought of the school etc and whether they had any opportunity to recruit to French firms? They'd have an interesting perspective on it and CBS should put you in touch as an admit if you ask politely?

spinmeround · Answer

Thanks  gcb09173 , that is sound advice. I have talked to a couple of HEC alums (through the interview process) and they said the main way to get a job in France in to have perfect French language skills, so I think that answers the question more or less. I would need to seriously work on my language regardless of location of school.

dontquixote · Answer

Columbia.

YOu have better everything.
Brand etc,

However, if you want to work in france specifically, only then would i choulse HEC

Columbia vs HEC Paris

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