I think with your profile it's a good idea to do an MBA, and IESE is a good choice. What is your career plan, why exactly you want to do an MBA? That's what you should identify clearly for yourself.

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply. Out of the 9-10 years of working, I have 4 years of work experience in the field of Investments. However, now i feel that i would want to go back to that field. I feel that a lot has changed in the field of management since i graduated back in 1997. I think an MBA would provide me with the training I need to become successful in that career. I am turning 31 this year and a bit apprehensive about taking the Full Time MBA because of my age. A lot of people have suggested I take the Global Executive MBA instead. However, I dont think I will be able to get my company's support and travelling back and forth would really be a problem.

In your opinion, what would make a strong application? (content of the essay..recommendation letters etc)

Again, thank you so much for the feedback and hope to hear from you again soon.

I think 31 is generally not too old to do a regular MBA. However, given your work experience, an EMBA would certainly suit you better. The following thread deals with the age issue and also with other interesting aspects of the EMBA: http://www.find-mba.com/board/3226/ -- As you can see, people still consider doing an MBA at the age of 41!

I would talk to your employer. An MBA from IESE would undoubtedly not only be an asset for you, but also be beneficial for your company. IESE is currently considered the strongest MBA program in Europe and one of the best 5 programs worldwide.

As regards the application, your letters of recommendation would of course be very important. It will be crucial to demonstrate what kind of professional experiences and responsibilities you have had so far.

Good luck!
LaVoz

not much to add, I think with your profile you should go for the EMBA if you have the chance. Is your company based i Barcelona? Anyways, you will need quite some commitment timewise, as well if you do the IESE part time MBA.

Concerning your question about your professional experience, you can find out at an early stage, if it is enough for IESE requirements. From the number of years you've worked it sounds fine if you can present your training experience as "relevant professional experience". Why don't talk to the IESE admissions mentors about this question? There are there for that.

Hi,

Although IESE has a great reputation, and the ranking to back it up, I didn't see anything extraordinary in their program (at least from the brochure). I am interested in general management and am looking for programs who make a real difference behond the reputation.

Can someone give some details about the 'extras' for example personal leadership training, soft skills, entrepreneurship, hands-on projects, etc.?

IE and IMD sounds very strong on these departments.

Thanks in advance.

O

I know I'm a bit late to chime in on this conversation.. but i agree with BigO, I have been a lot more impressed by the marketing of ESADE and IE than of IESE. Both IE and ESADE seem promote that their programs are really tailored to the individual, and make it seem like they emphasise "soft" skills as much as "hard" skills. As in, developing individual talents and leadership skills on top of teaching fundemental business concepts. I also like that both IE and ESADE advertise their emphasis on Spanish language instruction, which is a big part of the reason I want to study in Spain. ESADE even goes as far to say that all students should be fluent in both English and Spanish by the end of the program.
IESE's marketing seems a bit flat; but I know based on their ranking and reputation that they must have an equally good program. Could anyone share any insight on what IESE has to offer besides solid courses on finance and strategy? I live 4,000 miles from Spain, so it is hard to judge from here! I want to be able to give each school their fair weight. Thanks!

Nobody has any opinions on IESE, hmm?

Im curiuos, if one was to ask someone in Spain who is impartial, meaning a non-alum, to rank IE/IESE/ESADE?

Im guessing ESADE #3 but how about IE and IESE?

i think it is probably like comparing Harvard Stanford Wharton and Kellogg. All are fantastic and in the same top-tier in Spain. i am not so bothered about IESE's flat marketing, if you consider that the top mba US programs seldom market themselves. but i agree that it would be nice if they gave some kind of assurance that they will teach you spanish in a serious way. or try at least.

Dear Pvi

An MBA is all about training candidates with all the knowledge and tools required in many subject areas of business administration. My friend who works for a Dutch school tells me that they look for diverse candidates and candidates who also want a career change.

Many people do MBA;s for many different reasons and my advise is that you need to sit down with a seasoned professional career advisor so that you can chat about your career and how you can make more options available for your future endeavours. You will need no doubt to change and upgrade your resume.

Best Regards
saint

One consideration of mine, is that for the UK's high skilled migrant visa, they accept degrees from IE and IESE, but not ESADE or any other Spanish school:

http://www.hsmp-services.co.uk/hsmp_mba_provision.html
http://www.hsmp-services.co.uk/hsmp_mba_uni_list.html

Anyway, I don't know how I missed this brochure that is prominently featured on the IESE home page:
http://www.iese.edu/en/files/MBA_2008_Brochure.pdf

It has lots of information on their program. It shows a sample curriculum that does include a lot of Spanish courses, so that answers my question about that!

Hi Sally,

This program does not apply any more only to the listed schools you mentioned and it has changed for a new scheme. So the chances are the same at IE, ESADE or IESE.

The former HSMP has been replaced with TIER1.

You can visit:

http://www.tier12345.co.uk/

Interesting, Single Spain, thanks! They should really take all the old info down from the Internet!

Hi,

Although IESE has a great reputation, and the ranking to back it up, I didn't see anything extraordinary in their program (at least from the brochure). I am interested in general management and am looking for programs who make a real difference behond the reputation.

Funny you say so, as in Spain IESE is considered the "general management" school, particularly for its case method approach.