Masson Chacón
Master in Management
What motivated you to pursue your Master’s at HEC Paris?
I looked at the faculty and really liked the fact that the professors are very experienced in the industry. Having taken a Summer School program, I knew I would enjoy the fast-paced nature of the courses with an emphasis on group work with tight deadlines. I also enjoyed the campus environment. As we are quite far from Paris’s city center, living on campus has been great for developing tight-knit relations with each other.
What was your biggest challenge during your application journey, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was the GMAT. I felt I had a great international background and a solid name for an internship, but nonetheless, I had to prove my ability to perform academically in a standardized test. Without the GMAT, I knew it would be difficult to get an acceptance letter. The solution was simply to reorganize my life completely around studying for the GMAT and dedicate some months to it. Simple yet intense.
How did you prepare for your HEC Paris interview, and what would you recommend others focus on?
I read everything I could about HEC Paris. I also attended the Summer Program so that was an advantage in the sense that I had direct experience of what life on campus would be like. I asked international and French students about their experiences on campus and tried to find out EVERYTHING HEC Paris had to offer. Of course, this is easier to do when you know that HEC Paris is your number one choice. I would recommend others to focus on their motivation for going to HEC Paris and on their plans post-graduation.
If you had one piece of advice for applicants, what would it be?
My top piece of advice is to learn French prior to coming to HEC Paris. HEC Paris offers French classes, but you will definitely make the most out of campus life if you can try to integrate with the French-speaking students on campus. Even if you are not able to speak French, definitely find out more about French culture and life. French students are awesome and they will greatly appreciate you going out of your way to learn more about them.