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Bocconi and U of Amsterdam

Hi there,

I have a few questions-which may sound stupid- with regards to the applications for Bacehlor at these schools and I hope that you guys can help me out.

1. One day when I was looking at Erasmus University Rotterdam it says that there is an age requirement of 21-tell me if I am wrong- and I am just wondering if there is some sort of age requirement at other universities in Europe, namely Bocconi and UvA?

2. I am studying in a high school in Canada and I am doing the IB diploma right now. My report has my predicted IB grades on it, so do I still have to convert it to the equivalent Italian grades?

3. This is also a question for the Bocconi course. How should I write my motivation letter since the course is so 'diverse'? (I will also be applying for Economics in the UK)

Thanks a lot!:smile:
(edited 13 years ago)

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Reply 1
Hey YSL :smile:

I'm a first year student at Uni Bocconi and I'm doing the BIEMF program (the bachelor taught in English).

First of all, if we're talking about Bachelor, Rotterdam School of Management hasn't an age limit. I was accepted there too! :smile:
So no, Bocconi doesn't have it. neither Uni Amsterdam I suppose!

Second of all, no, no need to convert. Half of the internationals here have IB, so the uni perfectly knows about IB!

Last, for the letter, well it doesn't have to be the same as the one for UK!
In the end Eco, Management and Finance are all extremely interlinked.
The letter should focus first of all of you as a student: introduce yourself, say what you did, what you do and where you're going.
Then of course 50% should be on WHY you want to study that subject; you could focus on one of the three areas you'd like more! Although don't be TOO specific.
I remember my motivational letter for Bocconi was completely different from my UK one; in the UK (for pure Economics) I was very specific, I wrote about my economical thoughts, expressed my view on neo-Keynesianism and all of that. Didn't have to be THAT fancy in Bocconi (because it's much more of a business school!).

Also, if you want reputation I would ditch Uni Amsterdam. Go for UK (good ones) or Bocconi. If you really want Holland go to Rotterdam School of Management, but Uni Amsterdam isn't so well known!
I would suggest you Bocconi if you can, I love it here :smile:

Contact me if you want to know more :smile:
Reply 2
Thank you very much robbiee!

Would you mind telling me your SAT score (if you did it)?

:smile:
(edited 13 years ago)
Reply 3
I didn't need SAT, and I don't know the SAT of my friends who did it, sorry :/

I can only tell you that my avarage was 8.5/10 in high school if that is of any help :tongue:

But do consider Bocconi :biggrin:
Reply 4
Thanks robbiee

I am definitely applying to Bocconi. I am just wondering if BIEMF at Bocconi and IBA at Rotterdam School of Management are quantitative or good enough for me to proceed to Msc Finance in top UK universities-LSE, IC London, Warwick and etc.- after i finish my undergraduate study.

Thanks again!
(edited 13 years ago)
Reply 5
Original post by YSL160992
Thanks robbiee

I am definitely applying to Bocconi. I am just wondering if BIEMF at Bocconi and IBA at Rotterdam School of Management are quantitative or good enough for me to proceed to Msc Finance in top UK universities-LSE, IC London, Warwick and etc.- after i finish my undergraduate study.

Thanks again!


Well it actually is prettu quantitative, especially in the first year. Then you can choose modules on 2nd /3rd year and make it extremely quantitative.

And you have no idea about the amount of students (even italians!) doing a good/top master in Finance in the UK. LSE over all I'd say.

Again, I can't speak for UvA but I didn't even know they had an english business degree. be careful in choosing unis, and inform yourself about uni life, the city and all!

I wish I had someone who explained to me how Milan was, and I'm half italian so I wonder how exciting yet hard it must be for an "full" international. But everyone here is happy, so that's what counts :smile: Visit Milan and ask people how it works if you decide to apply.
You might actually prefer it to a more "traditional" UK uni (like I did in the end).
Reply 6
O... that's good to know. I am actually asking about the IBA at RSM, not UvA. And I am definitely visiting before I come (if they accept me).

Speaking of 'full' international, I am actually a student from the far east (Hong Kong) who, unfortunately, is studying in Canada and desperate to get out of this country. And I don't think many asians are in the undergraduate programs. Am I right?
Reply 7
Original post by YSL160992
O... that's good to know. I am actually asking about the IBA at RSM, not UvA. And I am definitely visiting before I come (if they accept me).

Speaking of 'full' international, I am actually a student from the far east (Hong Kong) who, unfortunately, is studying in Canada and desperate to get out of this country. And I don't think many asians are in the undergraduate programs. Am I right?


I see!

Well IBA and BIEMF to me are the same, maybe BIEMF being more quantitative? I had the impression IBA is more on "general business", wherease BIEMF is more broad, and then you specialise in either Management, Eco or Finance (second year, and third year you choose your options). And italian universities are known to be more tough on maths.

Well they are not the majority, but I do see asian people! And you just remembered me that in my class there is a Canadian/Asian (not sure from where) :smile:
In Milan you will find loads of Asians studying at the fashion schools for example. There is one, Istituto Marangoni, which is literally full of asian people (who can afford it)!
Can't say about RSM!
Reply 8
Original post by robbiee
Hey YSL :smile:

I'm a first year student at Uni Bocconi and I'm doing the BIEMF program (the bachelor taught in English).

First of all, if we're talking about Bachelor, Rotterdam School of Management hasn't an age limit. I was accepted there too! :smile:
So no, Bocconi doesn't have it. neither Uni Amsterdam I suppose!

Second of all, no, no need to convert. Half of the internationals here have IB, so the uni perfectly knows about IB!

Last, for the letter, well it doesn't have to be the same as the one for UK!
In the end Eco, Management and Finance are all extremely interlinked.
The letter should focus first of all of you as a student: introduce yourself, say what you did, what you do and where you're going.
Then of course 50% should be on WHY you want to study that subject; you could focus on one of the three areas you'd like more! Although don't be TOO specific.
I remember my motivational letter for Bocconi was completely different from my UK one; in the UK (for pure Economics) I was very specific, I wrote about my economical thoughts, expressed my view on neo-Keynesianism and all of that. Didn't have to be THAT fancy in Bocconi (because it's much more of a business school!).

Also, if you want reputation I would ditch Uni Amsterdam. Go for UK (good ones) or Bocconi. If you really want Holland go to Rotterdam School of Management, but Uni Amsterdam isn't so well known!
I would suggest you Bocconi if you can, I love it here :smile:

Contact me if you want to know more :smile:


Hey, I am also applying to Bocconi BIEMF this year, and I already wrote a motivation letter but I have no idea if it is any good... Do you know where I could find some Bocconi motivation letter samples to compare it with mine? Thanks:smile:
Reply 9
Original post by Sofija.
Hey, I am also applying to Bocconi BIEMF this year, and I already wrote a motivation letter but I have no idea if it is any good... Do you know where I could find some Bocconi motivation letter samples to compare it with mine? Thanks:smile:


Mmm I doubt you will find any online, you should ask people who got in to give you theirs! I would myself but it's in my home-computer, not my laptop! Anyways a UK one for eco/mgmt will perfectly give you orientation on how to write it for Bocconi!

Good Luck!
Original post by Sofija.
Hey, I am also applying to Bocconi BIEMF this year, and I already wrote a motivation letter but I have no idea if it is any good... Do you know where I could find some Bocconi motivation letter samples to compare it with mine? Thanks:smile:


hello sofija..:smile:
I am also applying to Bocconi BIEMF this year, i made the online application and now im going to prepare my dossier. Do we have to write also a motivation letter? i thought only a CV or kind of ressume...:s-smilie:
Anyway, good luck to us :smile:
lets wait for the rusults....
Reply 11
Hello everybody,

I am applying to Bocconi and I would like to ask if somebody who is currently studying there would like to gee me some tips how to write my motivation letter.

Thanks a lot :smile:
Original post by dessie_z
Hello everybody,

I am applying to Bocconi and I would like to ask if somebody who is currently studying there would like to gee me some tips how to write my motivation letter.

Thanks a lot :smile:


I am applying there as well and would appreciate any tips.
Reply 13
Hey ,
I am applying there too :smile:
Do you think UofA is worth a shot ? Have you ever heard of it ?

Thanks ! :smile:
Original post by Mihawk
Hey ,
I am applying there too :smile:
Do you think UofA is worth a shot ? Have you ever heard of it ?

Thanks ! :smile:


From what i've read, Maastricht, RSM and Bocconi are probably the best for econ/business/finance in Europe(exc UK). Bocconi is a target for London banks.
Reply 15
Hey everybody,
I'm applying to RSM IBA and Bocconi BIEMF as well!
Has any of you already taken the SAT? If so what score did u get?
I got Maths:670 and CR:610, Do u think its enough or should I try to retake it?
Thank you! :smile:
Original post by JohnFR
Hey everybody,
I'm applying to RSM IBA and Bocconi BIEMF as well!
Has any of you already taken the SAT? If so what score did u get?
I got Maths:670 and CR:610, Do u think its enough or should I try to retake it?
Thank you! :smile:


Thats way better than mine. I got 1720. Although, Bocconi doesn't require SAT if you have an 80% average in all your subjects. And RSM IBA doesnt want SAT either.
i would say your scores are good.

which ones are you applying to in the UK?
Reply 17
Original post by soldiersixteen
Thats way better than mine. I got 1720. Although, Bocconi doesn't require SAT if you have an 80% average in all your subjects. And RSM IBA doesnt want SAT either.
i would say your scores are good.

which ones are you applying to in the UK?


I am a French high school student, I am not applying in the UK.
I have no idea what a 80% average correspounds to in the French curriculum, but I dont think I have it anyway. Do you think having this 80% average is compulsory if you want to stand a good chance to be admitted?
Original post by JohnFR
I am a French high school student, I am not applying in the UK.
I have no idea what a 80% average correspounds to in the French curriculum, but I dont think I have it anyway. Do you think having this 80% average is compulsory if you want to stand a good chance to be admitted?


I'm not sure. Depends on your previous 'international experience' since they say its an international course. This is the same for RSM.
Depends on your work experience, extra curricular etc.
You should also look at Maastricht.
Reply 19
Sure , but isn't amsterdam a better city than rotterdam ?
John : you scored well.
I'm french too btw :smile:

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