How competitive is HEC MFin for someone with a 710 GMAT, BCom degree, and no CFA?

Question

I'm planning to apply for the HEC MFin this year and would love to know how competitive my profile is. I have a BCom from a private university, a 710 GMAT, and two internships — one in equity research and one in corporate finance. I haven’t done CFA yet, but I might start Level 1 before joining. Since I don’t come from a target undergrad or a strong quant background, I’m worried if that puts me at a disadvantage. Does not having CFA hurt my chances even with a decent GMAT? Also, is full-time work experience necessary, or do strong internships count? Any advice or insights would really help.

T Mehta · Accepted Answer

A 710 GMAT and relevant internships give you a solid shot at HEC Paris MFin, even without CFA or a target undergrad.
HEC values strong academic potential, and your GMAT already checks that box. While a BCom from a private university isn&rsquo;t a dealbreaker, what matters more is how well your internships align with your goals. Equity research and corporate finance are directly relevant, so use them to highlight exposure to valuation, modelling, or strategic analysis.
Not having a CFA doesn&rsquo;t hurt if other parts of the profile show interest and initiative &mdash; but starting CFA Level 1 before joining could boost credibility. Full-time experience isn&rsquo;t mandatory; many accepted students come in with only strong internships. Just be sure your essays clearly explain why you&rsquo;re choosing this program and how your experience connects to your future goals.

S Raghav · Answer

A 710 GMAT is a solid number ,  but at HEC MFin, numbers alone don&rsquo;t carry the whole app.
&bull; The lack of CFA won&rsquo;t disqualify you, but it helps to show some independent finance learning &mdash; courses, certifications, or even personal projects. &bull; Strong internships like equity research and corp fin matter more than generic full-time roles, especially if you contributed to real analysis or client work. &bull; HEC isn&rsquo;t just looking at prestige of undergrad &mdash; clarity of career goals and relevance of past experience are often more important. &bull; Since your background isn&rsquo;t heavy on quant, use your GMAT Quant score or any Excel/valuation-heavy work to show comfort with numbers. &bull; If you&rsquo;re planning to start CFA Level 1 soon, mention that in the application &mdash; shows intent, not just interest.
It&rsquo;s a competitive program, but with strong essays and smart positioning, this profile has a real shot.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

A 710 GMAT is already a strong score for HEC MFin, especially when paired with internships in equity research and corporate finance. HEC looks for evidence of analytical ability, motivation for finance, and international exposure,  not just the CFA or a target-school brand. Many admitted students come from non-target universities but make up for it through clear goals, solid internships, and strong essays.
The lack of a CFA isn&rsquo;t a dealbreaker; it&rsquo;s more of a plus than a requirement. What matters is how well you show your understanding of finance through your experience and motivation. HEC values early professional exposure, so your internships will count if they show relevant skills. Focus on highlighting quant coursework, analytical work in your internships, and a clear story about why you&rsquo;re pursuing MFin now ,  that&rsquo;ll make your profile stand out.

Mansih K · Answer

Plenty of HEC MFin admits don&rsquo;t have a CFA or full-time experience, so it&rsquo;s not a dealbreaker. What matters most is how well your application connects your past experience to your career goals.

A 710 GMAT shows strong aptitude, but balance it with proof of quantitative comfort &mdash; like statistics, accounting, or finance electives.
Two solid internships in equity research and corporate finance already show relevant exposure; make sure your essays explain what you learned and how it shaped your goals.
The CFA adds value, but starting Level 1 is enough to show commitment.
HEC also likes applicants who can handle diversity and teamwork &mdash; so mention leadership or group projects.

If your motivation and story are clear, a BCom background won&rsquo;t hold you back. Your current profile is competitive if you present it with focus and confidence.