Mazwaz,

Since most people begin applying to MBA programs 1 year before they intend to start (oct 2010 for a sept 2011 intake for instance) I suggest you put aside some time in the immediate future to begin preparing for the GMAT. I expect 4-6 months of studying should provide you with ample time to prepare depending upon your commitments. After attaining your GMAT score you'll be in much better position to decide which school would be best for you. A strong GMAT score of 680+ will allow you to be competitive at all of the top European programs should that interest you.

Now in terms of the application procedures, most schools have a standard September start, and some have January starts as well. The application submission dates at most schools allow for several "rounds" of admission meaning that at that specific submission date the applications received will be reviewed and the applicants interviewed/offered admission spots. This means that any subsequent "rounds" will be fighting for fewer and fewer admission spots and usually after the first two rounds the chances for admission drop with each subsequent round.

If you plan on entering an MBA program in 1.5 years, or September 2012 I would suggest that you aim to submit your applications to the schools you're interested in by early October of 2011. This means that in the next 8 months you will need to study for and write the GMAT, complete application forms to the schools you're interested in, polish your resume, complete multiple admissions essays for each school (veryyyyyy time consuming when done correctly), secure references, and ensure you've got money set aside for application fees/interview travel expenses. This is a lot to accomplish in a short period of time but can most certainly be accomplished (I did it myself this year only I started later in March).

I suggest you find some GMAT Prep materials and get to work right away (I recommend Powerscore and MGMAT for prep mats)

Best of luck!

Thanks for your reply!!!

one thing I don't understand! For instance for insead there is 3 rounds, you mean the third round is the most difficult to get in?

Moreover, I have currently a very good job with good salary. I assume that I could leave this job if I get one of the top MBA (european). Now the problem is what are the top MBA??
If I make a list out of my research I would say: IMD, INSEAD, LBS
I know that there is others quite good MBA but I want to take the risk of leaving my job only for a very good MBA that will have a big impact on my career.
Which other MBA can complete my list????

Another problem is the recommandation letters. I cannot ask someone from my current company as i don't want them to know I might leave them. My former company is own by my uncle so it is difficult to ask (same family). what would you suggest???

For gmat courses. I live abroad and I am thinking of getting online courses; what do you think about veritas GMAT???

thanks for your replies!!!!

I had very good experience with Veritas online course. After using that and some of my own prep on my own time I scored a 720.

My advice is to go with Veritas and make sure you give yourself enough time to study before taking the actual exam. At least a month or two is best.

Speaking very generally (and with a focus on how things are done in N.America) after the first two rounds it becomes more difficult to gain admission as a fair portion of the class has already been filled and there would be a lengthy waitlist of other qualified applicants at that point as well.

With that said, some of the European schools I've looked at function a bit differently in terms of their rounds of admission. HEC - Paris, for instance (the only Euro B-School I applied to) has many rounds of admission (7 I believe) and I understand that the first four rounds are where the bulk of the applicants are accepted from. But, not surprisingly those 4 rounds have roughly the same timeline as the 2 rounds in North American schools, meaning that you should aim to get your application in by early January (for September intake) at the latest for most schools to ensure you a fair chance.

In terms of "top" Euro B-schools you've highlighted the three elite programs. INSEAD, LBS, and IMD are the creme de la creme in Europe. But as you noted there are some other programs that are very strong, and may actually be just as strongly reputed in their area. Since you haven't indicated where you plan to work post-grad (if you even have a perference) I'll highlight other programs that are strong in their countries but that wouldnt necessarily be considered "elite":

France: HEC - Paris
Spain: IE, ESADE, IESE
Italy: SDA Bocconi
England: Cambridge(Judge), Oxford(Said)

In terms of GMAT prep, I don't have any experience with Veritas, however everyone I've spoken to that has used it has reported very favourably. If you've got any specific questions about their products there are usually VeritasPrep representatives poking around on these business school forums. If there doesn't happen to be any here you can always go to www.beatthegmat.com There is a representative named Jessica@VeritasPrep that is a very active poster there.

Disclaimer - Sorry to any moderators for the BTT reference. I'm just trying help this poster find the information he/she's looking for if it can't first be found on these forums

1 year programs or flexible 12/15 month: INSEAD, ESADE, IMD.

the problem with ESADE is the average work experience of the class only 4 and I am already at 6 will be at 7.5 when the class will start!!!

About the GMAT, I read that you have to choose just before performing the MBA schools where you went them to send the official gmat score.
For instance, I want to take the gmat in october 2011, it means they will send in october my results but I want to apply to the round of january or february. Is it a problem???they will receive the gmat score before my application.

Can I send myself the gmat score??? if I want to retake the gmat before sending it???

About the field for my post grad work, I don't really know it will depend on the courses I might like and the school (if LBS investment banking if INSEAD strategy)

Another problem is the recommandation letters. I cannot ask someone from my current company as i don't want them to know I might leave them. My former company is own by my uncle so it is difficult to ask (same family). what would you suggest???

Thanks for your helpfull replies!!!

Average experience in most of FT MBAs is 4 to 5. Probably also Insead, not sure now, check it. But this is the average, some MBAS have 2- 3 others 6 or 8.The only with "older" MBAs is IMD.

by the way, is there a difference for recruiters between a graduate of 3-4 years of work experience and a graduate of 7 years work experience????

if yes, it might affect the average salary of some schools like IMD which has a 7 average years of work experience!!

I suggest you look into the different placement profiles of schools in Europe.

In general, there's a proportionality between the Industry placement rate and the school's acceptance of older students.
Conversely, it's easy to see how high placement rates in Consulting + Finance can translate into a general student crowd of young ambitious trailblazers, with few other family preoccupations.

<blockquote>by the way, is there a difference for recruiters between a graduate of 3-4 years of work experience and a graduate of 7 years work experience????

if yes, it might affect the average salary of some schools like IMD which has a 7 average years of work experience!!</blockquote>

Hi,
actually we have the same questions .... I'm 32 with 8y experience: it seems too much for an MBA and too less for executive :-)
I'm also scared that getting an mba at this age could give you some disadvantage in front to 28-29y. But maybe we are just over-thinking!
Btw, even if it's not in the 1-tier, manchester offers a 10weeks paid internship .. and this might be very interesting.
If I look at costs and ranking... well the Belgium choice (vlerick) might be very actractive