Which to choose: RSM, HEC, ESADE,St. Gallen

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vagasoee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:53 pm; Followed by:2 members

Which to choose: RSM, HEC, ESADE,St. Gallen

by vagasoee » Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:41 pm

I am applying to all four business schools for Master in International Management (CEMS program for the first three). The question is which to choose? HEC and ESADE have the strongest name but the tuition fees are 20.000 euros more for more or less the same program with RSM. St. Gallen is no.1 in the F.T. ranking but I have doubts if its graduates have better opportunities in the job market compared to HEC or ESADE graduates. Any thoughts?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Tue Jan 17, 2012 5:41 pm

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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times; Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Jan 17, 2012 10:46 pm

Have you gotten in to all four already?
Your results might help you choose

But let's say in an ideal world, first of all, I would also think about which language and culture I might be interested. Because your post MBA success (which has chances of occurring in the country in which you study) might also be boosted along by your knowledge of the language and culture, and your ability to adapt to it. As for the "ranking", it's also a good idea to look at HOW they rank schools to figure out what fits you. I also wouldn't base myself solely on ranking. As far as prestige goes, I would have to say that HEC is likely the strongest, but again, rather than relying solely on ranking I would be more specific: i.e. look into which schools have good connections with your industry. Take tuition and their employment statistics into consideration. And last but not least - Visit all schools before I decide.

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Marlen: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Mon Jun 11, 2012 3:43 am

by Marlen » Sun Jun 17, 2012 2:01 am

Hi Vagasoee,
just curious on where you ended up?
I am now considering the same schools and program and leaning towards rsm simply because of the financials. And because I am hoping to go to esade for the semester abroad.
First of all...gmat fun...

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vagasoee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:53 pm; Followed by:2 members

by vagasoee » Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:47 am

Admitted to RSM/CEMS with exchange semester on ESADE. I also applied for HEC Grande Ecole, but i told them in the interview that i'd prefer RSM if they (HEC) didn't offer me a scholarship so I was not admitted there

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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times; Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Tue Jun 26, 2012 1:28 am

Ha!
That's very honest of you.

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vagasoee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:53 pm; Followed by:2 members

by vagasoee » Tue Jun 26, 2012 4:11 am

maybe a little foolish too. I think I had good chances of being admitted in HEC too (my application was off-deadline but it got accepted because i told them my gmat score and that i was already admitted in RSM) but they may thought I was blackmailing them for a scholarship, but actually I was being too honest. If you think of the difference of the tuition cost(1), the cost of living in Paris compared to Rotterdam (and Barcelona) (2) and the extra time needed for the grande ecole (6 to 18 months more compared to cems)(3), you need a good financial motivation to overlook them...

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Jon@Admissionado: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 3135; Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:55 am; Location: Everywhere; Thanked: 589 times; Followed by:332 members

by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:47 am

And maybe a little foolish

If you had asked me, I'd have told you to play it a weeeeee bit more diplomatically.
But anyhow, you got your admit, and that's milk under the bridge... but hopefully other folks will learn from it.

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sambombis: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:16 am

by sambombis » Wed Nov 14, 2012 11:22 am

Hello vagasoee,

I am applying for Rotterdan (CEMS) this year and I wanted to ask you what do you think about the courses until now? And also, was it hard to get the exchange with ESADE?
I am a little bit scared about admissions, I don't know how picky they are...
I am in my third year of Bachelor Degree in a French University and now I am doing an exchange In Finland. During my first year of Bachelor I didn't get so great grades since it was only my second year studying in the French system and in French! Before I did all my studies in Mexico and in Spanish so it wasn't that easy. I hope they will understand that =(
I speak fluently Spanish and French, I hope it will be a Plus

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vagasoee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:53 pm; Followed by:2 members

by vagasoee » Sun Nov 25, 2012 5:59 pm

Hey there,
First of all let's say RSM is considered to be the most intensive Cems school. The courses are generally good without seeing something spectacular until now(ok maybe I had my expectations too high). But from what exchange students tell me (even from top universities) RSM level is quite high. Also RSM probably does the best implementation of the Cems program ( but that's also debateable ).

As for the admission process, maybe it will sound a bit cliche but it's the whole package that matters. If I rank the reqs I would (subjectively) say: 1.Gmat (they accept a lot of locals who don't need a Gmat so they need to balance that with the internationals) 2.grades 3.international experience 4.cv/letter... after the first screening there is also an interview/assessment phase.

As for the exchange destination you apply for it along your normal application. I had Esade 4th choice (above far away destinations and below HEC, LSE, St. Gallen, Bocconi). Actually I did this "trick" putting "monster" unis below because I preferred Esade to a highly competitive environment.

Feel free to ask me any other question.

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VeronicaC: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:05 am

by VeronicaC » Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:12 am

Hi guys. I am very happy I found this conversation because it's on the exact universities I want to apply to.
I am currently in my third year of an English taught bachelor program in Bocconi University. I have a 29.25/30 GPA so far and a GMAT 700.
This said, my question is: how probable do you think I will get into my first of second choice for the semester abroad, given that I am applying to RSM?
Is it very competitive?

And... what should my first choices be? I know Spanish (B2) and I am a beginner with German.
How important is "the Name" of the university? A professor suggested me to rank LSE as first choice, but I am not sure because he has a phd in economics and might be a little biased... Should I put HEC or St Gallen? I would also love to spend the semester in Barcelona at ESADE, further improving my Spanish and having a bit of fun. But what's the best choice for my CV?

Do I need to know French to choose HEC, through RSM?

Thank you very much for your help and good luck with your studies!

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vagasoee: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2011 4:53 pm; Followed by:2 members

by vagasoee » Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:27 am

As for the biggest plus in your CV it depends on what you want. Generally I think that the best choice is to go in a far away destination (outside Europe). Keep in mind that this is a MSc in International Management and international experience is the major thing that these programmes promote. Also a semester is a time period long enough to see if you've got what it takes for jobs that demand high mobility. However, if you are sticking with European business schools my opinion is that you go for the schools with the best standing/fame within the CEMS network and the best carreer services (in this occasion HEC,St. Gallen > LSE). A school like LSE may sound great to someone who is not into business but for those who know LSE is not as good for business studies as it is for economics. Moreover, its graduates even in the UK don't get the same treatment as Ox-bridge or LBS students.

As for your choices I think you will be able to get into a good school. I do not know the selection process but your records are very good. Keep in mind, though, that the international experience you have so far is equally important as Grades and GMAT. Even if you don't get into one of your top 2 choices you still have a number of great choices (ESADE was my 4th but it is still ESADE)

PS: Also, keep in mind that any choice in your Master's is not only an academic choice but also a job/life choice. For example HEC probably has the best brand name within the CEMS network BUT since you don't know any French you may have some trouble in terms of life and job-seeking there.

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VeronicaC: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 5:05 am

by VeronicaC » Sat Mar 30, 2013 10:20 am

Thank you vagasoee.

I was finally admitted to RSM CEMS/MIM with the CEMS (spring) semester at St. Galen. I am so happy! It's such a great school, even if i put it as my third choice.
I also got in International Management in Bocconi University (my bachelor school). On the 11th of April I will get to know if I get the full scholarship (full tuition waiver equal to 23 000 Euro).
We'll see.

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NikPo: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2014 5:54 am; Followed by:1 members

by NikPo » Tue Feb 11, 2014 6:05 am

Hey guys,

could you share any comments regarding the interview/assessment at RSM? Would be greatly appreciated

I am applying there and wanted to have some info.

Best,

Nik

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Venar32: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2017 2:41 pm

by Venar32 » Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:45 am

Hey vagasoee,

Can u tell us how did the interview and assesment go? I'm having an interview next week and I would like to have some information if possible.

Thanks

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adooooobs: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:23 pm

by adooooobs » Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:24 pm

Venar32 wrote:Hey vagasoee,

Can u tell us how did the interview and assesment go? I'm having an interview next week and I would like to have some information if possible.

Thanks

I'll see you on Monday