HEC Paris Profile Evaluation - Tools for B-School Profile Evaluation

Hi guys,

I am planning to do a Master of Finance (pre-experience and preferably one year) at either HEC, LSE, IE or ESADE from summer 2016 on.

My GMAT is 680 (Q45/V38) and my undergraduate GPA is 3.38 from University of St.Gallen. Additionally I already did an M&A internship at an European BB and an M&A internship at a Big4 firm.

Considering my lower GPA and poor GMAT do you think I have a chance for these master programs? Or do I have to retake the GMAT, even though I am already quit late for application?
If you need more information, please post.

Thank you for your help guys. Really appreciate it.

Hi, I have 3 years of work ex in Business Operations in F&B, Hospitality and Real estate. GMAT 700. What are my chances.

Also I wanted to know how much will applying for R8 ( Jan 2017 intake) affect my chances with respect to applying in R1 next year.

Hi,

The average exp at HEC is 5+, also the average GMAT is around your score.
So unless you have an exceptional career story, solid international experience or some unique nationality, go for R8 for jan 17.
Though I would suggest try for sep 17, one of the earlier rounds instead, your chances will be higher for both admissions and scholarships.

Cheers!
Current HEC student

Hi,
Great to see a thread similar to what I'm looking for.
I'm a B.com (Hons.) graduate from the top Commerce college in India with a 3+ years experience in the real estate industry currently heading the marketing department of my firm.
I gave my GMAT in April and scored a 660.
I have HEC on my radar. Can you help evaluate my profile?
I'm also planning to give GMAT this month with the hopes of improving the score, but I would like my evaluation on my 660 score considering my worst case scenario that I don't care better.
Thanks in advance

P.S. I plan to apply in the next R1 or R2

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Unlike B Schools in other regions (US, India), the average work ex at European b-schools is higher.
- HEC has an average of 5+.
- the avg GMAT score is around 690.
- Almost every student has an international work ex.
- Average age 29
plus there will be your essays, interview etc.

Everything will be taken into account to evaluate you. If you lack in something, you have to make up by something else.

660 with 3+ experience and I assume (correct me if I'm wrong) no international work ex won't be a strong enough case.
There are some with 3+ work ex, no international exp but with a gmat score of 750+!

So you can either try if you want, or spend 1-2 years to get some international exposure, higher GMAT, extracurricular etc.
I believe that will also make you a better match to the cohort, helping you to get the max from your MBA experience!

Nationality: Chinese
Age: 29
Major: French
GPA: 3.4
GMAT: 770
TOEFL: 105

WE: 7 years in a chinese state owned infrastructure company, working location is in africa, for whole 7 years.

Promoted to director of administration and commerce of the local office in nov 2013.
Three major responsibilities:
- all administration aspects of the office,
- Marketing in Togo and neighbour countries
- Assisting the General Manager in project coordination, mainly with local authorities


Undergrad

Student Union Vice President - 2 Years
Excellent Student of Shanghai

Post-MBA Plan: Branding, Hospitality

I‘m aiming for both HEC and INSEAD, would anybody evaluate first my profile for HEC, then which school fits me better.

Really appreciate any feedbacks. Thanks!

Hi All,

I am David from India. I would like your help in evaluating my profile and if I will have a good chance of getting into HEC Paris with my background below:

I recently took my GMAT: I got a overall score of 660 with Q49 and V31.
I have a Masters from Computer Engineering from University of Buffalo, New York. completed Masters in 2011.
From 2011-2015 I worked in California for a top semi conductor company. I moved back to India in 2015. Have been working for the same company.
I have a total work experience of 5.5 years.
Besides work I have participated in many sports right from childhood.
I have traveled to 6-7 countries from childhood. Apart from these I have been learning a musical instrument.

I would appreciate your honest feedback.

Thanks
-Dave

Hi David

Your overall profile, work experience, and international experience is excellent, but your GMAT score may be a little below par. Try and increase this if possible. Other than that, you would be a great fit at HEC.

Thanks for the response GyanOne. I appreciate it. I am planning to retake the test before applying.

Your GMAT score is ok. I got pre-select with a GMAT of 650 and I declared that I won't be retaking the test.

I barely had the time to take the exam, let alone retake it.

GMAT is not the determining factor, WE is and international exposure is.

You have both.

Regards

Hi there!

I am actually a MBA student at HEC and I would like to say a few things about Indian profiles in our class: 1/ we have Indian guys with both GMAT 750 and 650 - the difference is age (26 vs. 36) and experience (respectively); 2/ the guy with GMAT 650 started his restaurant chain back in India and said he had worked a lot on his essays and other apects of the application.
Actually, the mean GMAT score at HEC is something up to 700 and I would only feel comfortable enough with that score or better. Nevertheless, a good news is that 700 is not that tough. The bad news is that if you can't get something close to 700 then it could be a bit difficult to follow the curriculum... not for you though as you have a goog quants percentile.
Our Indians almost all have beaten the mean and, in my opinion, those in a class are super-smart or so

So some actionable points for you:
1/ improve your GMAT score given your age and lack of super-exciting profile (almost all Indians out there are ingeneers with some good experience both in India and abroad);
2/ make use of your cross-border work and make it clear that you stand out with the skills you have aquired in the US or elsewhere (like leadership, unconventional approach to well known problems together with identifying and framing problems etc.);
3/ don't underestimate essays and put even additional focus on these.

After all, HEC Paris is a very selective school but, to be frank, you will struggle to find a decent job anyway, so think twice before making such an investment (yes or no at all, HEC or INSEAD or LBS or IESE or US B-schools). I am saying that absolutely seriously as there is a trend to hire Masters of Finance from HEC Paris for some juicy jobs as they ask for less, work much harder and know a way more about finance than MBAs do,,,,

good luck!

I see that you got some excellent advice here already so just want to say that in my opinion you need to do two things: 1. Increase that GMAT score and 2. Work hard on your essays and your chances should be pretty good. The essays are really important as they will be what sets you apart so put as much effort into them as into the GMAT!

Good luck!
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Hello All -
I gave my GMAT a couple of days ago and got a score of 720(Q50/V38). I need advice on the schools that I can apply to with my score and have a realistic chance of admission being an Indian applicant. Below is a brief on my profile:

Graduation: Mechanical Engineering(Passed out in 2013) - GPA: 3.5(according to WES)
Work Experience: 39 months in sales and marketing at ExxonMobil Corporation and currently working as an operations manager at NEED(Network for Economic and Entrepreneurship Development ; It's a non-profit organization based out of Lucknow, India)
Extra-Curriculars: school and college Football team, Squash and Swimming school teams ; Acted in and directed Choreos during college ; Part of organizing committee of a number of college fests and led the marketing team during a couple of fests.
Volunteer work: Part of a number of volunteer activities during college and work at EM(house building, teaching, roadshows etc).

Interest: Marketing and Strategy

Thanks.

Hi Gmaters,

Im Indian male 26 and have scored 690(49/34).Im cuurently working as Product manager in a startup and have experience of close to 4 years .I have worked for top startups and launched internet products from scratch.I did my engineering from a good college(NIT) in civil engineering .On top of this I even started couple of part-time startups and one of them did decent business.My UG score is 6.41/10(but in last 2 years it averaged 7+ ).I have not much on extra -curricular activities, except few certficates in quizzing ,plays and dance performances.Is HEC Paris within reach?

Hi Gmaters,

Im Indian male 26 and have scored 690(49/34).Im cuurently working as Product manager in a startup and have experience of close to 4 years .I have worked for top startups and launched internet products from scratch.I did my engineering from a good college(NIT) in civil engineering .On top of this I even started couple of part-time startups and one of them did decent business.My UG score is 6.41/10(but in last 2 years it averaged 7+ ).I have not much on extra -curricular activities, except few certficates in quizzing ,plays and dance performances.Is HEC Paris within reach?

PDoug
GyanOne

Please help

Hey!

I've scored 640. Also product manager. Brazilian, 27 yo. Bachelor in Communications. I'm was accepted to January 16 intake (rolling July application).

Probably an expert opinion is better than mine, but I would say you're on-track.

Good luck! Maybe we'll meet in Jouy-en-Josas by next year.

Thanks for encouraging words.I was planning to retake but I guess I should be working application !Any experts?

Male 24. Greek.
Electrical and Computer Engineering (5year MEng degree), energy specialist, with 7.6/10 GPA from the best greek polytechnic university.
700 GMAT
B2 DELF on french language
3 months internship as electrical engineer.
What are my odds on HEC,ESSEC,LBS,BOCCONI MiM?? Thank you!

I would actually suggest a retake, as expectations on Indian candidates tend to be higher than on applicants from other countries (unfair, I know!), especially if you think there is a realistic chance you would do better this time around. Only you can tell what potential there is for a better score, but if you believe there is, I would strongly suggest you do in order for you to feel that you really gave the application your all. Should you not do it, and not get in, you might regret it.
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