INSEAD vs. LBS vs. HEC vs. Cambridge:Does a Scholarship Tip the Scale? : INSEAD

Hi, I'm looking for insights into a decision I have to make regarding MBA programs. I have offers from HEC, LBS, Cambridge, and potentially INSEAD - my original top pick. I hold a British passport and my primary career goal is to transition into consulting, although entrepreneurship also interests me

Cambridge offered a scholarship, reducing my total loan for tuition and living costs to around 25-30k GBP. Meanwhile, both LBS and HEC could require loans of around 100k GBP, and INSEAD would cost around 80k GBP.

Although INSEAD is a strong choice for consulting and LBS has a wider brand recognition, Cambridge's financial advantage is tempting.

I understand it's subjective, but I'm interested in your thoughts on whether the cost difference tips the scales towards Cambridge. Thanks!

Insead is quite generous with scholarships. I had exactly the same choice, and I asked Cambridge to postpone the deadline and waited for Insead to post scholarship decisions. Chose Insead.And another thing employers actuall say - if MBA then top 10 schools. Generaly speaking 30-40K difference will be paid out wit the bonus. SO my opinion - school should serve the purpose, be respected by employers and be close by spirit. I ruled out all the visa perks, maybe I am stupid)))

Anastasiagabova
Unfortunately, as I'm applying for the January term, I don't have the flexibility to postpone Cambridge's decision as their deadline is in a week, while INSEAD's scholarship decisions aren't announced until the end of July.

On a separate note, your comment about employers favouring top 10 schools intrigued me. Could you elaborate more on where you've encountered this viewpoint? It would be helpful to understand more about this as I weigh my options.

hasman404 wrote:Hi, I'm looking for insights into a decision I have to make regarding MBA programs. I have offers from HEC, LBS, Cambridge, and potentially INSEAD - my original top pick. I hold a British passport and my primary career goal is to transition into consulting, although entrepreneurship also interests me

Cambridge offered a scholarship, reducing my total loan for tuition and living costs to around 25-30k GBP. Meanwhile, both LBS and HEC could require loans of around 100k GBP, and INSEAD would cost around 80k GBP.

Although INSEAD is a strong choice for consulting and LBS has a wider brand recognition, Cambridge's financial advantage is tempting.

I understand it's subjective, but I'm interested in your thoughts on whether the cost difference tips the scales towards Cambridge. Thanks!

hasman404

Given your interest in consulting, I suggest considering either LBS or INSEAD. While I can't guarantee an easy path into consulting from these schools (as success depends on your own capabilities), these schools offer unparalleled networking opportunities and access to early-stage interviews with top consulting firms like MBB. I have also commonly seen INSEAD graduates make successful transitions into management consulting a few years after completing their MBA, benefiting from the strong referrals facilitated by the alumni network.

However, if you have even a slight inclination to explore career paths other than consulting right after an MBA, I would say go with a school whose culture resonates with you or provides greater flexibility in terms of learning pace. Choosing a program that aligns with your personal preferences and goals is also important for an enriching educational experience.

IMO the slight difference in scholarships will not have a significant impact a few years down. However, having a solid alumni network to support you can make a significant difference in your journey. Also evaluate which school's network would best support your entrepreneurship goals in the mid to long term. Alumni connections can provide valuable advice, mentorship, and opportunities that can shape your career path and open doors for growth and success.


Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Guys do you know how the scholarship decision will be announced by INSEAD? Will it be via phone or email? Just curious to know what to expect…

Thanks and regards

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