LBS vs. INSEAD (vs. Oxford)

Question

Hi everyone,

I am in the very fortunate position of having been admitted to these schools which were my targets. Honestly I did not expect to necessarily be spoiled with choice here but am now determining which option I should move forward with and would greatly appreciate some opinions on this forum.. I know people discuss LBS vs. INSEAD all the time but I'll add some context/questions here:

- I'm an American citizen and so one question is whether either school will have an edge should I decide to return to the states 
- I am fully aware that salaries in UK/Europe are substantially lower, and for that reason I'd be interested in exploring opportunities in more lucrative areas -- therefore I wonder whether INSEAD truly has a stronger reputation throughout Europe/Middle East than LBS? Is it that much of a difference vs LBS? 
- I have some personal ties to London that make me more inclined to be there, but given the relative proximity to the UK, it is not a dealbreaker and I'm curious (if INSEAD is a better choice) whether it's so much better that it's worth foregoing LBS
- How easy/feasible is it to move to the UK after completing INSEAD?

I do feel more drawn to LBS but I'd love to gather some opinions on this and would really appreciate any input

Thank you.

admitStreet · Answer

thesavdawg - congrats! A few q's I'd have: which sector/ function are you looking to transition to post MBA? Also, what are your long-term plans? Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

MBAGuide · Answer

thesavdawg Congrats on the impressive admits!It would have been great if you had mentioned a bit about your prior experience and your target sector post-MBA, but since it's kind of a black box for me, I will try to be as elaborate as I can. If you ever plan to return to the USA and are targeting consulting, you will have great entry options from both INSEAD and LBS. Since both programs are target programs for top-tier consulting jobs, I don't think it would be a challenge to get internal referrals for MBB or other offices, even if you don't pursue consulting in the first few years post-MBA but want to do it at a later stage. I have known quite a few American folks from my class of 2019 who moved back to the USA right after and into the roles of their choice. Here two groups stood out in terms of relevance - Consulting and Tech entrepreneurship. As I mentioned earlier, consulting opportunities give a lot of mobility to INSEADers (And to LBS alums I guess). Some folks also ventured into tech entrepreneurship in the Bay Area, which now also hosts INSEAD San Francisco Hub for Business Innovation, a strategic move for INSEAD to tap into opportunities in the Bay Area and increase its network there. I am not aware if LBS has something similar in the region. Both schools have exchange programs with Top US B schools. LBS has partnership with many more schools while I think INSEAD mostly has exchange with Wharton and Kellogg. You could take advantage of these opportunities to build your networks across. After INSEAD, it may not be very easy to move to the UK unless it's for consulting or you have deep connects within the region, in which case, the Middle East (great nevertheless), which has a thriving INSEAD community, becomes a fallback option unless you want to return to the USA immidiately . If you have it clear that you would want to work in the UK for a bit, LBS, in my opinion, would be a very safe option for the short term. Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. We do not cap discussion hours. Best wishes Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer) Founder, MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

thesavdawg · Answer

Thank you both for the very helpful replies. I should have added a bit more context around me:

My most significant work experience to date is in a financial role at a startup (let me know if more detail is needed -- the startup is in luxury goods though we separately invest in companies/have a private equity function)

Post-grad I'd like to break into PE or VC but also plan to cast a wide net and would certainly be interested in working at a blue-chip consulting/banking company.

That said I worry if I will suffer from the lack of an internship period at INSEAD but I also get the sense it's network is the most developed.

admitStreet · Answer

thesavdawg - thanks for the udpate. INSEAD's January (D-batch) does provide a 2-month summer break during which you can intern. If you begin in August (J-batch), you will complete the MBA in 10 consecutive months. Key differences between INSEAD's Aug & Jan batches are here . Comparatively, LBS has a higher % of class that gets into Finance than INSEAD (latest employment stats are here and here ). In my view, if your priority is to move to the UK, spend more time at school (i.e. explore internships etc.) and optionality between Finance & Consulting roles, LBS is a better choice. Regards, Arvind Founder, admitStreet | Schedule a free chat W: https://admitstreet.com | LinkedIn | E: consultingteam@admitstreet.com

isshana · Answer

Congratulations on your fantastic admits! If your goal is to enter the private equity/venture capital sector, LBS is the superior choice. VCs often hesitate to provide sponsorships in the UK for internships, making it challenging to enter the field without previous experience. The same applies to PE. On the other hand, INSEAD stands out for consulting, as it's their primary focus. LBS, however, offers pathways into technology, finance, a range of diversified fields, and consulting.

You should also think about the lifestyle you want during the MBA. The experience of living in a major city versus a small town is vastly different, and deciding which environment suits you best is crucial. I'm studying at LBS and would happily discuss your questions in more detail.

You should also think about the lifestyle you want during the MBA. The experience of living in a major city versus a small town is vastly different, and deciding which environment suits you best is crucial. I'm studying at LBS and would happily discuss your questions in more detail.

bb · Answer

My cousin went through LBS and then due to pandemic had to return to the US even though his plans were to stay in Europe and Asia.

I would generally say he got the interviews and some opportunities but recruiting was bumpy. He couldn’t use school network or alums on the West Coast.

He was also pretty tired of living abroad and was ready to get home at the end. At the same time, had a lot of fun and the blast traveling around Europe. It’s super easy.

However, for someone coming back to the US, this is a weakness

Posted from my mobile device

LBS vs. INSEAD (vs. Oxford)

Which school?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards