Hi -

I was wondering if someone can help me. I am very interested in enrolling in the HEC MBA program in France and found in their website a curious note that I have not found mentioned in other bschools. They state they run a "cooperation" instead of a "competition" program. I've also heard the dean from the same school mention it in an interview.

Does someone know the difference between these program types?

Thanks for the time and help.

Hi,

I don't know about the HEC program in particular, but I do know that some MBA programs emphasize individual competition more than others. For example, in some programs there's a fixed number of students who must fail or even be excluded from the program (for example, the worst performer of the class), and individual grading is relative to other students' performance. In other programs these types of rules do not exist. I've also heard people from various schools mention that European programs emphasize cooperation more than US programs, but I don't really know how accurate this belief is.

Hi Jaitego -

Thanks for your prompt response. Are you familiar with which schools follow the 'cooperation' method in Europe? I really want to go and continue my studies in that part of the world instead of the U.S.

I appreciate your help :0)

I'm not that familiar. I know that some schools are more aggressive than others in this respect, but I wouldn't be able to give you a more or less complete list. I would suggest that you ask the admissions offices how the grading is made (do they use some kind of curve), under what conditions students are excluded from the program, what is the extent of teamwork. Then you should also browse the web sites and read the schools mission statements, to see if they mention anything about cooperation. I'm sorry I can't help you more.

I will do that.
Thanks you very much for your time!