Hello,
I was admitted for both schools (ESSEC Global MBA and EM LYON International MBA) and its difficult to decide which one to choose.

In one hand, ESSEC seems to have a better reputation in France as an Elite Business School (ranked #2) and some people even compare it with HEC, having a strong industry relations. However the Global MBA just have one year old, reason why it is not ranked in any MBA international ranking. (But the new Global MBA seems to have a good future, well design program with competitive students and a strong business school brand).

In the other hand, EM LYON seems to be less positioned in the local rankings as a Business School, but the MBA in ranked #3 in France after INSEAD and HEC in most of the international rankings in the world (Economist, FT, BW, CNN Expansion, Forbes, etc).

If I am No-European, with decent french and want to work in France or Europe after my MBA, which school would you recommend?

Wow. That is a hard choice! I suggest you apply for HEC :-)

Thanks Duncan I will research HEC.

Between these 2 schools (ESSEC or EMLYON), which one would you suggest?

Thanks in advance!!

I cant really comment on these two programs but ESSEC' campus in Singapore is actually an office they rented from Singapore National library. The location is pretty good and of course you have access to local placements with Singapore one of the most relaxed country when it comes to hire foreign students as well visa. The downside of course is that the school is tiny and resources is just limited but who cares. Also the teaching staff are most from Asia except a couple of French. ESSEC MBA may also hold a career fair in Paris and will take you to London so you guys may have a couple of chances. In terms of staying in France I can hardly imagine any school with better record than ESSEC

EM Lyon is also interesting and have some interesting tuition discounts, except from that they have an exchange with Aston business school where you can come to UK to search for jobs.

Quality-wise I think they are on par. ESSEC may edge out a little bit in Finance and EM Lyon in Entrepreneurship.

Overall, I would apply to HEC or INSEAD

Very hard choice. I think I would opt for ESSEC. Lyon is a much nicer location, but if you want to work in France then you have to be around Paris.

It's such a pity ESCP closed its full-time MBA.

PS When I say "if you want to work in France then you have to be around Paris" I mean if you want to work in typical MBA jobs...

Between these 2 schools (ESSEC or EMLYON), which one would you suggest?

Thank you for your posts. They are really helpful.

My short term goal after graduation is to work in Finance, Consultancy or Manufacturing Industries, I enjoy them and understand them very well. In my long term after 5-10 years of experience I want to put in practice all my knowledge and entrepreneur motivation in order to run some business.

So far, I think that I will join the Global MBA at ESSEC.

I vote for ESSEC

Hi,

If you know decent french and want to work in France or Europe, then ESSEC makes a lot of sense. ESSEC has one of the biggest Alumni networks in the world (over 35,000) who are helpful. They help you if you contact them.

My experience with ESSEC in the Global MBA program has been great. I have already studied at both the Singapore and the Paris campus, which is enriching. The coming field trip to Russia would add to the experience while my future consulting strategy project (IIP. I chose Phillipines) would add an edge compared to other MBA's. The batch small size (less than 40) and diversity (12 nationalities) really adds to the learning, since you learn more from your peers. The interesting thing is that we all are from different backgrounds, experience and are also targeting different jobs. So there is hardly any competition with each other, which makes it even better. The Global MBA program is well designed and fully supported by the dean, alumni and the school. It has a great future. We (the pilot batch) have done a lot of hard work to market it through endless treks, meeting people, headhunters etc besides the school's marketing. You and the future batch should continue the good work and reap the benefits ( if you join). Also need to mention the mentorship program where people at senior/ top level are assigned as our mentors. They also help us.

The Prof's are all from different nationalities ( I have lost count of nationalities) . To name a few there are french, dutch, chilean, British, Belgium, Spanish, American, Vietnamese, Russian, Turkish, Romanian, Indian etc. The list is long. The learning is great.

Fyi, you would have career fairs at both the Paris and the Singapore campus. So one can target companies based on the geography.

Hope that helps.

If you have a good profile and a GMAT score more than 650, avoid both ESSEC & EMLYON and as Duncan said, aim for HEC if not INSEAD.

ESSEC & EMLYON can provide great MBA experiences but the career support (job search) that you will need in France can only be provided by INSEAD & HEC. Please don't just believe these forums. Try to connect with recent MBA graduated from the schools that you wish to study at. Talk to them on the phone, meet them and get a real picture.

I agree that INSEAD and HEC will be better ways for this person to meet their goals, but I also think that ESSEC will have fairly good and creative methods of supporting the career development of their Global MBA students. I agree that EM Lyon seems to not be able to prove a strong level of placement support.

ESSEC & EMLYON can provide great MBA experiences but the career support (job search) that you will need in France can only be provided by INSEAD & HEC.