HEC Paris Q&A: Admissions, Program, and Campus Life Answered

A while back I ran a Q&A on Instagram and got over fifty questions about HEC Paris. Here’s the consolidated version, organised by topic. My experience is one of many; other students in the same cohort would answer some of these differently.

Admissions questions

Should I apply in round 1, 2, or 3?

Round 1 if you can. Earlier rounds have higher admission rates and more scholarship money available. Round 3 should be your fallback.

Does it matter if I have no work experience?

It does not. The HEC MiM is pre-experience. Most admits have zero to two years.

Is 2 years of work experience too much?

No. One to two years is the sweet spot. Above two years, you’ll be funneled toward the MSc programs or asked to consider the MBA later.

What should I write for short-term career goals?

What you want to be doing for the two to three years after graduation. Where do you want to work (France, Europe, home country)? What industry and function? If entrepreneurship interests you, say so directly. Avoid abstractions. “I want to grow as a leader” is not a goal. “I want brand management at L’Oreal Paris” is. More in the essays I actually wrote.

How do I make my application competitive for scholarships?

Three things move scholarship odds: a strong GMAT (740-plus), a coherent and credible profile, and strong essays. Volunteering and projects help but aren’t substitutes. I’ve written about HEC Paris scholarships in detail.

Which other colleges did you apply to?

ESSEC and HEC, both in round 1. My round 2 backup plan was ESCP and Rotterdam School of Management. I got into both round 1 schools, so I never went further. See HEC vs ESSEC for the MiM for anyone weighing them today.

Does undergrad college name and GPA matter?

Both help but neither is a dealbreaker. I came from a non-IIT, non-NIT engineering college and got in. GMAT, essays, and activities can compensate. Address a weak GPA directly in the optional essay. The profile-building post covers this.

Should I do AIESEC or specific internships to get in?

No single activity is required. What matters is that whatever you do fits your career story. If AIESEC fits the story, great. If it’s just a resume line, skip it.

Program questions

Is it really difficult to find a job after HEC?

Difficult, not impossible. Non-French speakers need to apply broadly. Most students find roles within six to nine months, often through gap year internships that convert or through campus recruiting. Once you have a CDI (permanent contract), you’re stable. Visa renewal is routine, unlike the US lottery. For more, see whether the MiM is worth it.

What companies hire HEC MiM grads?

Across my cohort: LVMH, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder, Hermes, Chanel in beauty and luxury. McKinsey, BCG, Bain in consulting. BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Goldman Sachs in finance. Renault, Stellantis in automotive. Microsoft, Google, and Meta in tech. Renault and HEC have direct ties. Porsche has hired HEC interns for their Atlanta office.

Consulting without prior experience?

Hard, especially without fluent French. Continental Europe demands local language fluency for client work. English-language positions exist in London, Brussels, Dubai, and Singapore, where many HEC students target.

MSc vs MiM for jobs?

Depends on your prior experience. Two years at a top firm plus the ten-month MSc lands jobs. Straight from undergrad with only the MSc is tight. I chose the two-year MiM for exactly this reason.

What’s the batch size?

Around 250 international students plus a similar number of French students. The total MiM cohort is roughly 500.

Do professors help with internships?

Some do. The faculty at HEC has unusually strong industry ties for a European school. Visit office hours. Build the relationship. Don’t ask for help in week one of the course.

How do I get the best out of the MiM?

Know what you want. The clearer you are about your goals, the better you can choose courses, internships, electives, and friends to support that path. Students who arrive without a direction often spend a year reacting to opportunities rather than choosing them.

This is also why I write so much about building the profile before applying. The thinking continues into the program.

Campus and life questions

How is hostel life on campus?

It ranges. The M1 year is large and you have to actively make friends. My first year was uneven. The M2 year (Marketing had only 34 students) was much closer-knit.

There’s always something happening: a party in someone’s room, drinks outdoors, a company networking event with free food. You just need to show up. More in real Paris life and pros and cons of Paris.

What does HEC stand for?

Ecole des hautes etudes commerciales de Paris. Translates to “school for higher studies of business in Paris.” Founded in 1881.

What’s your overall experience like?

Intense but rewarding. HEC pushed me outside my comfort zone. The credential opened doors. The network has paid off. Getting in is one challenge. Using the program fully is a separate, harder one. Smart, ambitious classmates, and I never met anyone I had nothing to learn from.

Are there part-time jobs or apprenticeships near campus?

HEC is in Jouy-en-Josas, a small commune outside Paris. There are no meaningful part-time job opportunities nearby. The MiM also does not allow apprenticeships during the academic year. You can do paid internships during the gap year and summer, but not during M1 or M2 semesters.

I’ve written about monthly expenses on campus and how to budget.

What I didn’t have the chance to answer

If you have more questions I haven’t covered, my other posts on questions about HEC Paris and is HEC Paris worth it cover other angles.