Prep Etoile*
Ambition
Support several thousand students preparing for entrance exams to top French “Grandes Écoles” within the next five years and foster a virtuous circle of mentorship between HEC students and candidates aiming for excellence.
Empowering each student to believe in themselves and aim high!
Launched in 2021, the PREP Étoile* program helps CROUS scholarship students prepare for the competitive entrance exams to top business schools under the best possible conditions.
For one year, second-year preparatory class students from all over France are mentored by current HEC students who are members of the Fleur de Bitume Association.
They also benefit from targeted preparation sessions, focusing on understanding exam requirements and overcoming the psychological barriers often faced by scholarship students. Meetings with HEC professors also help them better understand the opportunities offered by business schools.
More than just a revision program, PREP Étoile provides genuine human and cultural support, helping each student believe in their abilities and strive for excellence.
from Prep Etoile* were admitted to a Top 5 business school: HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, or EM Lyon.
from Prep Etoile* were admitted to HEC Paris in September 2025
coming from over 50 preparatory schools across France
I decided to get involved in the PREP Étoile program and become a mentor because I find this initiative very positive and perfectly aligned with the issues of equal opportunity and access to excellence for all deserving students within the French Grandes Écoles system.
It is essential to give ambitious, deserving students access to our selective programs, regardless of their social background, by addressing cultural or confidence-related inequalities that might hold them back.
YOUR SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL
Your support enables young people to believe in themselves and prepare for entrance exams to top schools while reducing financial and psychological barriers during this crucial period.
Your engagement can also take the form of sharing your time and experience.
Your testimonies and recommendations play a key role: they inspire students, strengthen their confidence and motivation, and illustrate the support HEC provides.
Thank you for your continued support of this project!