Join MBB without having done a "grande ecole"

Question

Hello,

I'm enrolled in a research master's degree in Energy (1st year completed) in a target school (Ecole des mines de paris). I'm currently doing my gap year, first 6 months in financial audit (big 4) and second one in transaction services in another big 4.

I'm particularly interested in strategic consultancy in MBB, thus i applied to different business schools.

I have been accepted in essec's mim (2 year grande ecole) and Msc DSBA and in HEC's Msc strategic management.

My question is : which one of the previously cited programs offers me the most chances to pass the screening phase of MBB recruitment. I'm not sure if the 2 year grande ecole program is better perceived than the 1 year Msc.

Please note that i'm not following the grande ecole program of Ecole des mines.

Edit: i'm interested in offices located in France, UK and the middle east.

Answer 1

I think you are approaching this wrong. You are looking into get into a programme to later get into MBB or something else but not because you are passionate about an area, the university is a good fit with your aspirations and you can genuinely learn something worthwhile. This future MBB process may or may not happen for you.

At the face of it, both options have a decent branding and pull, you can wing it into getting shortlisted, but there is a chance you will be miserable. Please pay some attention to focus on your aspirations, need for more education at this stage and which role/company can you invest your time & effort that's worthwhile for you and people around you.

Answer 2

Hello!

I am always fascinated about how different the French market is, truly, compared to the world in this regard (super extreme).

To you question, you are good with both, since you already have the brand in the CV.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

Answer 3

Since you already have a target school you should be good.

But I would note that for international applications, HEC is more well known brand name, so it may give you an edge.