What MSc to choose in Europe?

Question

Hi everybody!

This is my first post here and I hope not to be off-topic.

My current situation is this:

- 27 yo italian

- BSc cum laude from Bocconi University 6 years ago

- After the University I went back to my home town to work in family business

- I'd like to pursue a MSc from top European BSchool (ESADE, LSE, LBS, IE...). I could also get a scholarship given that I scored 750 on GMAT.

Do I have any chances to get in one of the top three Consulting Firms after MSc in Italy or Spain?

Which MSc would give me the best chances given reputation, academic quality, network etc?

Thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

Hi Tony,

given your seniority it would seem more natural to target an MBA at this stage of your career. Although more expensive, it would give you the opportunity to join MBB in a post MBA position thus with a higher salary and seniority. After a MSc, instead, you would likely have to join at a pre MBA position.

In terms of MBAs in Europe, Insead and LBS would likely be the best, followed by IE and HEC.

Hope this helps,
Francesco

Answer 2

Hi there,

Considering you already have an engineering degree from a reputable school and you want to work at MBB, and have a great GMAT score, you may want to consider doing an MBA.

This will definitely can give you a chance to have an interview invitation from MBB. Rest depends on you. You definitely have a chance to get an offer if you practice right and enough.

Cheers

Serhat

Answer 3

This is really hard to tell - as usual, the specifics are key here.

First off, congrats on Bocconi!

Second, I wouldn't expect too much in the way of scholarships just because you got 750 unless Italy is special. At least here in the States, I am not aware of any such scholarship

Third, a number of MSc and MBA programs would open doors to MBB. The ones you listed are a great list, but there are obviously others.

Fourth, let's calibrate a little bit:

- Are your chances greater than zero? Absolutely.

- Are your changes great? Absolutely not

Even in the target schools, few candidates ever get an offer from MBB. That's just a cold and hard fact, but it doesn't say anything about YOUR chances. Who are you as a person? What have you done on a professional level? Have you had leadership opportunities? Do you have an amazing story or passion outside of work? So many questions, which together will help each company whether to even interview you. And then you still have the interview itself!

tl;dr: I can't really answer your question other than confirm your started off really well by going to Bocconi.

Answer 4

Hi Tony,

I fully agree with Francesco - an MBA at this stage in your career seems like a more logical option. This way you can also target post-MBA positions at consulting firms, and an MBA is just generally much more respected in the business/consulting world than an Msc.

Best!