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![HEC Paris vs Cambridge Judge [Solved: Judge]](/forum/styles/gmatclub_light/imageset/icon_post_target_unread.svg "HEC Paris vs Cambridge Judge [Solved: Judge]"){kind=icon}
02 Jul 2021, 07:51
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Hi! I added this message a few days ago to an old post... Hence, it probably won't receive much attention/answers. So, I am re-posting on a new discussion 
It would be great to get some insights. Thank you very much
The time has come for me to make a final decision. My choice is now between HEC (small scholarship of 16k) or Cambridge Judge (no scholarship, mostly because I applied on round 5). I am in LBS waiting list (possibly with some chances, but if I wait too long I risk losing the other offers). The difference between HEC with scholarship and Cambridge is not huge... Counting living costs, it may boil down to about 5k more for Cambridge... Here some info about myself:
I am a 34 years old academic. I completed a PhD in development studies at Oxford in 2018 and worked as a post-doc ever since. I have also worked as part-time consultant for a few well known international organisations. My intention was never to become an academic. I went for a post-doc because I was interested in a specific short-term project and I wanted to publish my PhD in top journals (which I successfully did). However, the last 2/3 years have proved disastrous vis-a-vis my capacity to develop a business network and I have been unable to leverage my PhD (in a very much business-related topic) to move out of academia. After discussing with several people who followed a similar path, I came to the conclusion that an MBA at a top institution would be helpful to: (1) build a network; (2) re-brand myself; (3) shift my 'what-if' academic mentality to a more 'how-to' problem solving one; and (4) get some notions of accounting, marketing etc that I am missing. I want to live and work in Europe (including UK) and/or Africa and (potentially) Asia. Certainly, not in the US. I have EU citizenship and settled UK status (currently applying for citizenship). I speak perfect English, French, German, and Italian. In terms of functions, I'd be interested in supply chain management and/or general managerial roles. As for the industry, my first choice would be consumer goods or other light manufacturing (e.g. Unilever, Nestle, P&G...). However, I would also consider consulting (especially given my research experience + PhD in relevant topic researching firm performance among SMEs in East Africa).
It would be great to get some insights. Thank you very much The time has come for me to make a final decision. My choice is now between HEC (small scholarship of 16k) or Cambridge Judge (no scholarship, mostly because I applied on round 5). I am in LBS waiting list (possibly with some chances, but if I wait too long I risk losing the other offers). The difference between HEC with scholarship and Cambridge is not huge... Counting living costs, it may boil down to about 5k more for Cambridge... Here some info about myself:
I am a 34 years old academic. I completed a PhD in development studies at Oxford in 2018 and worked as a post-doc ever since. I have also worked as part-time consultant for a few well known international organisations. My intention was never to become an academic. I went for a post-doc because I was interested in a specific short-term project and I wanted to publish my PhD in top journals (which I successfully did). However, the last 2/3 years have proved disastrous vis-a-vis my capacity to develop a business network and I have been unable to leverage my PhD (in a very much business-related topic) to move out of academia. After discussing with several people who followed a similar path, I came to the conclusion that an MBA at a top institution would be helpful to: (1) build a network; (2) re-brand myself; (3) shift my 'what-if' academic mentality to a more 'how-to' problem solving one; and (4) get some notions of accounting, marketing etc that I am missing. I want to live and work in Europe (including UK) and/or Africa and (potentially) Asia. Certainly, not in the US. I have EU citizenship and settled UK status (currently applying for citizenship). I speak perfect English, French, German, and Italian. In terms of functions, I'd be interested in supply chain management and/or general managerial roles. As for the industry, my first choice would be consumer goods or other light manufacturing (e.g. Unilever, Nestle, P&G...). However, I would also consider consulting (especially given my research experience + PhD in relevant topic researching firm performance among SMEs in East Africa).
02 Jul 2021, 10:26
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Cambridge
You'll have the Oxbridge double threat and with UK settled status, you should be in good shape for recruiting.
HEC is a great school, but if you're living in the UK already, why leave for France? You'll have an easier time recruiting & finding a job after if you stay in country.
You'll have the Oxbridge double threat and with UK settled status, you should be in good shape for recruiting.
HEC is a great school, but if you're living in the UK already, why leave for France? You'll have an easier time recruiting & finding a job after if you stay in country.
HqLife
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Schools: HBS '27 (D) MIT '27 (WA) Stanford '27 (D) Columbia '27 (D) Tuck '27 (A$$) Yale '27 (M$$) Darden '27 (A) Fuqua '27 (WL) Johnson '27 (A$$) Ross '27 (A$$) Booth '27 (WA) Wharton '27 (D) Kellog '27 (S)
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Schools: HBS '27 (D) MIT '27 (WA) Stanford '27 (D) Columbia '27 (D) Tuck '27 (A$$) Yale '27 (M$$) Darden '27 (A) Fuqua '27 (WL) Johnson '27 (A$$) Ross '27 (A$$) Booth '27 (WA) Wharton '27 (D) Kellog '27 (S)
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Posts: 340
02 Jul 2021, 16:10
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I am voting for HEC-Paris.
HEC-Paris is a great well-known B-School. Constantly ranked in the top 5. While being the second best B-School in France, its direct competitor is IESE (my personal opinion). HEC will open all of the doors for you in Europe, including UK. It is a bit similar to LBS, but with less UK specific recruiting.
Additionally, since you know French/German/Italian, are in Europe, you should no issues with HEC and expanding your network and knowledge.
Reason for me not to choose Cambridge -
You already have Oxford on your resume, which is pretty much a similar school to Cambridge. These are new up-coming B-schools, but not top notch yet. This might change in the near future. With Cambridge you are really limited to UK. Yes the name carries the weight, especially for people that don't particularly know about business schools. But outside of the UK, HEC-Paris dominates. What's the point of Cambridge name, when you already have Oxford?
My personal take - If I was you, I would go to HEC, enjoy my time there. Get to enjoy a new place, a new institution which is very different to my previous school. Expand my network to France and other EU countries. You will not have an issue getting the job you want with either business schools, pick the one that will make your time worth it. I would say ignore the cost, as the difference is minimal in the long-term.
My personal ranking for European MBA:
1. LBS/INSEAD
2. HEC/IESE
3. Oxbridge
HEC-Paris is a great well-known B-School. Constantly ranked in the top 5. While being the second best B-School in France, its direct competitor is IESE (my personal opinion). HEC will open all of the doors for you in Europe, including UK. It is a bit similar to LBS, but with less UK specific recruiting.
Additionally, since you know French/German/Italian, are in Europe, you should no issues with HEC and expanding your network and knowledge.
Reason for me not to choose Cambridge -
You already have Oxford on your resume, which is pretty much a similar school to Cambridge. These are new up-coming B-schools, but not top notch yet. This might change in the near future. With Cambridge you are really limited to UK. Yes the name carries the weight, especially for people that don't particularly know about business schools. But outside of the UK, HEC-Paris dominates. What's the point of Cambridge name, when you already have Oxford?
My personal take - If I was you, I would go to HEC, enjoy my time there. Get to enjoy a new place, a new institution which is very different to my previous school. Expand my network to France and other EU countries. You will not have an issue getting the job you want with either business schools, pick the one that will make your time worth it. I would say ignore the cost, as the difference is minimal in the long-term.
My personal ranking for European MBA:
1. LBS/INSEAD
2. HEC/IESE
3. Oxbridge
