[latteuht]

Hi mates,

my professional shorterm goal is to get into management consultancy. I speak german, italian (did my bachelor there), english.

I got invited to an interview for following program: (100 get invited, 70 accepted)

http://www.rsm.nl/master/msc-interna...ems/factsheet/

What do you think about it?
I also applied to LSE International Management (rejected), SSE (offer), Warwick (offer) and Cass (offer). Till now Rotterdam is my first choice.

I am thinking about to apply HEC Paris (deadline over), LBS and St. Gallen.

What do you think? Would a degree from one of this universites give me a further benefit for my career in management consultancy?

Best regards,
latteuht

Useful answer would be very nice! Thank you!

[Jakeh]

Im hopefully doing my MSc Finance & Investments at RSM, top uni. Gluck.

[Nightseye]

Hey,

I did my bachelor at RSM and know quite a few people doing CEMS, here's a few general thoughts :

Rotterdam is a really good school, and you'll be expected to work alot. People have come there on exchange expecting an easy semester and ended up in a bit of trouble, so don't think it'll be an easy ride. However, there are some excellent networking opportunities, and the school is becoming more well-known every year. The studies are well organised and student life is pretty good. You're also in a city with good connections to the rest of Europe. Accommodation is pretty cheap, as is food and not to mention tuition.

Most people I know who went to HEC Paris strongly disliked it. The campus is terrible, course organisation is a mess and you're 1-2 hours by public transport to Paris, as the campus is located outside of a village. The name on your CV is good, but the overall experience leaves alot to be desired.

St Gallen is pretty good too, but its also located in a small-ish city, 2 hours from Zurich. Most people I know had a pretty good experience there, and I think you can have some pretty interesting classes... Also, the students there dress up quite a bit apparently :P Life in Switzerland is a bit more expensive (in terms of food and transport), though I don't know how much accommodation is in St Gallen.

I don't know much about LBS, but a friend of mine went RSM -> LBS and is at ATKearney now. RSM is definitely a good choice for management consulting, but so are St Gallen and LBS I think. HEC I really wouldn't recommend, it is just not worth it.

If you have any more questions regarding RSM I'll be happy to answer them

[Jakeh]

(Original post by Nightseye)
Hey,

I did my bachelor at RSM and know quite a few people doing CEMS, here's a few general thoughts :

Rotterdam is a really good school, and you'll be expected to work alot. People have come there on exchange expecting an easy semester and ended up in a bit of trouble, so don't think it'll be an easy ride. However, there are some excellent networking opportunities, and the school is becoming more well-known every year. The studies are well organised and student life is pretty good. You're also in a city with good connections to the rest of Europe. Accommodation is pretty cheap, as is food and not to mention tuition.

Most people I know who went to HEC Paris strongly disliked it. The campus is terrible, course organisation is a mess and you're 1-2 hours by public transport to Paris, as the campus is located outside of a village. The name on your CV is good, but the overall experience leaves alot to be desired.

St Gallen is pretty good too, but its also located in a small-ish city, 2 hours from Zurich. Most people I know had a pretty good experience there, and I think you can have some pretty interesting classes... Also, the students there dress up quite a bit apparently :P Life in Switzerland is a bit more expensive (in terms of food and transport), though I don't know how much accommodation is in St Gallen.

I don't know much about LBS, but a friend of mine went RSM -> LBS and is at ATKearney now. RSM is definitely a good choice for management consulting, but so are St Gallen and LBS I think. HEC I really wouldn't recommend, it is just not worth it.

If you have any more questions regarding RSM I'll be happy to answer them

Hey, I've got an offer from Rotterdam regarding MSc Investments and Finance, and I'm pretty sure that's my university of choice, absolutely love it! How much will I be looking at for rent etc whilst studying there? And is there anything specific I should know about the area?

[effofex]

(Original post by Jakeh)
Hey, I've got an offer from Rotterdam regarding MSc Investments and Finance, and I'm pretty sure that's my university of choice, absolutely love it! How much will I be looking at for rent etc whilst studying there? And is there anything specific I should know about the area?

In the really cheap parts of the city - about EUR 350 per month. I got a place at HEC Paris so the course will be pricier (MSc Finance), but hopefully I can get a scholarship to halve the fees. Experienced hire (1-2 yrs) recruiting I think will be weak in London this March/April.

Do you intend to work in the UK or Nederland (or elsewhere) after graduation?

[effofex]

(Original post by Nightseye)
Hey,

I did my bachelor at RSM and know quite a few people doing CEMS, here's a few general thoughts :

Rotterdam is a really good school, and you'll be expected to work alot. People have come there on exchange expecting an easy semester and ended up in a bit of trouble, so don't think it'll be an easy ride. However, there are some excellent networking opportunities, and the school is becoming more well-known every year. The studies are well organised and student life is pretty good. You're also in a city with good connections to the rest of Europe. Accommodation is pretty cheap, as is food and not to mention tuition.

Most people I know who went to HEC Paris strongly disliked it. The campus is terrible, course organisation is a mess and you're 1-2 hours by public transport to Paris, as the campus is located outside of a village. The name on your CV is good, but the overall experience leaves alot to be desired.

St Gallen is pretty good too, but its also located in a small-ish city, 2 hours from Zurich. Most people I know had a pretty good experience there, and I think you can have some pretty interesting classes... Also, the students there dress up quite a bit apparently :P Life in Switzerland is a bit more expensive (in terms of food and transport), though I don't know how much accommodation is in St Gallen.

I don't know much about LBS, but a friend of mine went RSM -> LBS and is at ATKearney now. RSM is definitely a good choice for management consulting, but so are St Gallen and LBS I think. HEC I really wouldn't recommend, it is just not worth it.

If you have any more questions regarding RSM I'll be happy to answer them

Hi,

Is this for students on the CEMS (equivalent) program at HEC or for all programs.

The students I have spoken to at HEC seem to have pretty positive reviews of the place (from an academic/career perspective). I guess the course duration is quite short though - 8 months.

[Jakeh]

(Original post by effofex)
In the really cheap parts of the city - about EUR 350 per month. I got a place at HEC Paris so the course will be pricier (MSc Finance), but hopefully I can get a scholarship to halve the fees. Experienced hire (1-2 yrs) recruiting I think will be weak in London this March/April.

Do you intend to work in the UK or Nederland (or elsewhere) after graduation?

I'm not experienced, I'll be going straight from UG to PG at Rotterdam. I intend to work in the UK as I live 45 minutes away from London, though to be honest I'd love to work abroad witihin an IB

[ChevalBlanc]

(Original post by effofex)
In the really cheap parts of the city - about EUR 350 per month. I got a place at HEC Paris so the course will be pricier (MSc Finance), but hopefully I can get a scholarship to halve the fees. Experienced hire (1-2 yrs) recruiting I think will be weak in London this March/April.

Are you looking to move back to London from Amsterdam?

[effofex]

(Original post by ChevalBlanc)
Are you looking to move back to London from Amsterdam?

Most institutional trading happens out of London - so maybe. But there are a few prop opportunities in Paris and Amsterdam. So I'm not sure yet.

[Nightseye]

(Original post by effofex)
Hi,

Is this for students on the CEMS (equivalent) program at HEC or for all programs.

The students I have spoken to at HEC seem to have pretty positive reviews of the place (from an academic/career perspective). I guess the course duration is quite short though - 8 months.

It was for the CEMS programme and Finance and Economics (I think that's the name?). It was mainly people who were coming from Rotterdam... I've never taken a class at HEC, so I'm only getting this from my friends complaining ^^
I can just say that the campus pretty much sucks, but I suppose you'll save money by living on site, as there is nothing to spend it on - the village has 3 restaurants, a supermarket and a bakery.

(Original post by Jakeh)
Hey, I've got an offer from Rotterdam regarding MSc Investments and Finance, and I'm pretty sure that's my university of choice, absolutely love it! How much will I be looking at for rent etc whilst studying there? And is there anything specific I should know about the area?

Congrats! Yeah like effofex said, around €350 is the average, if you're looking at living in the accommodation provided for students, it may be more. Try to find a place in the city centre or close to the university - south of the Maas river is not recommended (except the islands), as its pretty dodgy. The rest of the city is safe though. Make use of the Blaak market as the fruit and veg are dirt cheap! (That's the part I miss most about R'dam!)

[campbeco]

(Original post by Nightseye)
Most people I know who went to HEC Paris strongly disliked it. The campus is terrible, course organisation is a mess and you're 1-2 hours by public transport to Paris, as the campus is located outside of a village. The name on your CV is good, but the overall experience leaves alot to be desired.

(Original post by effofex)
Hi,

Is this for students on the CEMS (equivalent) program at HEC or for all programs.

The students I have spoken to at HEC seem to have pretty positive reviews of the place (from an academic/career perspective). I guess the course duration is quite short though - 8 months.

I spent a year on exchange at HEC. I was taking classes along with Grande Ecole students (Master in Management) and I knew a good few people there who were doing CEMS.

I absolutely loved it, as did most people. The campus may be a little bit cut off, but it's still only 30/40 minutes from Paris by suburban train (RER). Almost everyone lives on campus which gives it a great atmosphere, and though the food isn't great, you'll never get bored - the parties on campus are ridiculous.

The teaching is top class, most lecturers have worked in industry for a number of years or are still working in industry and teaching part-time. Classes are small and very specialised, with a focus on group work and continuous assessment. From a careers perspective, I can't recommend it enough. As you probably know it's been ranked the top business school in Europe for the past 6 years by the FT. There's a couple of different careers fairs there every year and every major employer is present. I know people who've moved on to consultancy in London and Paris after HEC, they're really highly sought after.

If you have the chance to go there, take it - you will not regret it.

[Nottingham_Banker]

The Student association of RSM looks amazing. Trips to mumbai, surfing on the french atlantic coast, skiing in the alps...

[Nottingham_Banker]

(Original post by effofex)
In the really cheap parts of the city - about EUR 350 per month. I got a place at HEC Paris so the course will be pricier (MSc Finance), but hopefully I can get a scholarship to halve the fees. Experienced hire (1-2 yrs) recruiting I think will be weak in London this March/April.

Do you intend to work in the UK or Nederland (or elsewhere) after graduation?

Would you reccomend spending your 1st year of one of the student houses organised by stadswoden?

It seems a bit steep 5000-6000 euro a year

when private rent seems much cheaper

[Frenchous]

(Original post by campbeco)
I spent a year on exchange at HEC. I was taking classes along with Grande Ecole students (Master in Management) and I knew a good few people there who were doing CEMS.

I absolutely loved it, as did most people. The campus may be a little bit cut off, but it's still only 30/40 minutes from Paris by suburban train (RER). Almost everyone lives on campus which gives it a great atmosphere, and though the food isn't great, you'll never get bored - the parties on campus are ridiculous.

The teaching is top class, most lecturers have worked in industry for a number of years or are still working in industry and teaching part-time. Classes are small and very specialised, with a focus on group work and continuous assessment. From a careers perspective, I can't recommend it enough. As you probably know it's been ranked the top business school in Europe for the past 6 years by the FT. There's a couple of different careers fairs there every year and every major employer is present. I know people who've moved on to consultancy in London and Paris after HEC, they're really highly sought after.

If you have the chance to go there, take it - you will not regret it.

Exactly, HEC is much better than all the other schools mentioned above (bar maybe LBS).

The idiot who said above that RSM > HEC is ridiculously deluded.

[effofex]

(Original post by Nottingham_Banker)
Would you reccomend spending your 1st year of one of the student houses organised by stadswoden?

It seems a bit steep 5000-6000 euro a year

when private rent seems much cheaper

I didn't study in Rotterdam myself (I studied in London until 2010), so I cannot comment. I think you could find accommodation for cheaper south of the Maas. Yes - people say it is unsafe, but then coming from London I do not really find anywhere in the Netherlands to be unsafe at all.

[Spurious]

(Original post by Nightseye)
St Gallen is pretty good too, but its also located in a small-ish city, 2 hours from Zurich. Most people I know had a pretty good experience there, and I think you can have some pretty interesting classes... Also, the students there dress up quite a bit apparently :P Life in Switzerland is a bit more expensive (in terms of food and transport), though I don't know how much accommodation is in St Gallen.

Zurich is maybe 2 hours away by bike.
Train is a bit longer than 1 hour and car is roughly an hour.

Switzerland is very expensive. St. Gallen is less expensive than the bigger cities. Accommodation is roughly 500-600CHF incl. fees. Living expenses are on London level (groceries more expensive, everything else probably slightly less).

(Original post by Frenchous)
Exactly, HEC is much better than all the other schools mentioned above (bar maybe LBS).

The idiot who said above that RSM > HEC is ridiculously deluded.

I seriously doubt that HEC is MUCH better than any of the other mentioned universities.

St. Gallen blows HEC out of the water for consultancy. RSM is 3rd in a group of those, but that's not by a wide margin given their access to the German, Dutch and British market.
For IB HEC probably dominates St. Gallen for London placement, but again not by a wide margin. Given the fact that most Swiss graduates dont want to leave Switzerland, this is not very surprising.

If we are talking salaries, then St. Gallen is probably the best out of the ones listed.


Overall, this is all hypothetical, and in real life all of those schools are great and you wont have trouble finding a job almost anywhere in Europe. With good grades, you can literally choose your job - no matter which of those schools.

[Frenchous]

(Original post by Spurious)
I seriously doubt that HEC is MUCH better than any of the other mentioned universities.

St. Gallen blows HEC out of the water for consultancy. RSM is 3rd in a group of those, but that's not by a wide margin given their access to the German, Dutch and British market.
For IB HEC probably dominates St. Gallen for London placement, but again not by a wide margin. Given the fact that most Swiss graduates dont want to leave Switzerland, this is not very surprising.

If we are talking salaries, then St. Gallen is probably the best out of the ones listed.


Overall, this is all hypothetical, and in real life all of those schools are great and you wont have trouble finding a job almost anywhere in Europe. With good grades, you can literally choose your job - no matter which of those schools.

HEC's network in London is superior than that of St Gallen and by a wide margin.

Also, as far as I know, HEC has a better global brand. You don't see Bill Gates going to St Gallen to give a speech, do you?

Salaries are better after st gallen simply because switzerland has higher average wages.

This said St Gallen is excellent and may be better for consulting (I don't know much about consulting recruiting).

But really my point was that between RSM and HEC there's just no hesitation to have.

[latteuht]

Hi mates, thank you very much for your feedback.

Especially nice to hear statements like

"Overall, this is all hypothetical, and in real life all of those schools are great and you wont have trouble finding a job almost anywhere in Europe. With good grades, you can literally choose your job - no matter which of those schools."

A little update. I got offers from Warwick, Cass and Stockholm.
I clearly prefer Stockholm (MSc in Business & Management Program, specialization in Management) Many people told me that Stockholm is more famous for Economics or Finance.
What do you think about this programme? Especially compared to Rotterdam International Management.

best regards,
latteuht

[Teenage Pirate]

(Original post by Frenchous)
Also, as far as I know, HEC has a better global brand. You don't see Bill Gates going to St Gallen to give a speech, do you?

Clueless again...

Ever heard of the St Gallen symposium?

Probably brings in about as many good speakers a year as HEC can.

[Spurious]

(Original post by Frenchous)
HEC's network in London is superior than that of St Gallen and by a wide margin.

Also, as far as I know, HEC has a better global brand. You don't see Bill Gates going to St Gallen to give a speech, do you?

Salaries are better after st gallen simply because switzerland has higher average wages.

This said St Gallen is excellent and may be better for consulting (I don't know much about consulting recruiting).

But really my point was that between RSM and HEC there's just no hesitation to have.

As I said, HEC is probably superior to St. Gallen in London for Finance.
But for the entire European market (Frankfurt and Zurich should be included), St. Gallen is easily on par with HEC.

And as someone else mentioned, if you use Bill Gates as the only person on this planet worth listening to, then yeah, HEC wins. For anyone else, they are easily on par - and that's not only because of the symposium.


SSE is also excellent for placement in London. It's assumingly on par with both HEC and St. Gallen for placement in banking.