I just got accepted to the University of Illinois iMSM. During the interview they had informed me that I was one of the first applicants

More Online MBA discussions at FIND MBA Online

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 19, 2020 20:26

What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.
Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?

They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 19, 2020 21:10

It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work.

It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 19, 2020 21:26

It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work.

well I was essentially looking at online programs because I don’t think I can leave my country and secure a visa In time for an on campus program. The program is cheap and I can complete it while working. At this point I would be more interested in what people think about the quality of the program in comparison to the other options I have. I don’t want to live in the UK either so going to Cass or Cranfield and spending 40k would be a waste in comparison to 10k spent on illinois if the brand name and the quality is the same. Since I have only a year of work experience I can’t apply to MBAs in Canada.
Also, I don’t think I can afford a 60k masters at Ivey right now . I do have some money saved up so I don’t mind spending it on the Illinois masters, take masters level classes while working and if the reputation of the university is good then I’m sure I could use it as a tool to improve my profile as my undergrad grades are a bit low. It might be able to help me out during this time when the opportunity cost for me is not too high. Also, I could I switch to a better job in my country too and UIUC is definitely not unheard of in my country, unlike SMU or BatH or even Durham

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 19, 2020]

[quote]It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work.  [/quote] well I was essentially looking at online programs because I don’t think I can leave my country and secure a visa In time for an on campus program. The program is cheap and I can complete it while working. At this point I would be more interested in what people think about the quality of the program in comparison to the other options I have. I don’t want to live in the UK either so going to Cass or Cranfield and spending 40k would be a waste in comparison to 10k spent on illinois if the brand name and the quality is the same. Since I have only a year of work experience I can’t apply to MBAs in Canada.  Also, I don’t think I can afford a 60k masters at Ivey right now . I do have some money saved up so I don’t mind spending it on the Illinois masters, take masters level classes while working and if the reputation of the university is good then I’m sure I could use it as a tool to improve my profile as my undergrad grades are a bit low. It might be able to help me out during this time when the opportunity cost for me is not too high. Also, I could I switch to a better job in my country too and UIUC is definitely not unheard of in my country, unlike SMU or BatH or even Durham

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 19, 2020 21:54

Okay, so you want to stay in your country and you don't need a local business school network?

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 20, 2020 09:23

Okay, so you want to stay in your country and you don't need a local business school network?

I have already built a network in the industry that i am working in but many jobs require me to have a masters. I dont even mind staying in my current job too. UIUC doesnt seem to have a bad network in my country too according to linkedin.

[quote]Okay, so you want to stay in your country and you don't need a local business school network? [/quote] I have already built a network in the industry that i am working in but many jobs require me to have a masters. I dont even mind staying in my current job too. UIUC doesnt seem to have a bad network in my country too according to linkedin.

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 20, 2020 09:56

I would be unbelievably excited to be in your shoes. Since it seems to fit your goals, you have an exceptional experience ahead of you! Consider blogging about your experiences.

quote

j172534

1 2

Posted Jun 22, 2020 20:35

What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.

Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?

They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

Congrats on getting all those offers!
May I ask what questions did the admissions team ask in the interview? Is it similar to MBA programs' interviews? I am waiting for my interview for iMSM and would love to prepare more for it!
Hope you find the right program! Thank you!

[Edited by j172534 on Jun 22, 2020]

[quote]What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from. 
Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois? 
 
They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think. [/quote] Congrats on getting all those offers! May I ask what questions did the admissions team ask in the interview? Is it similar to MBA programs' interviews? I am waiting for my interview for iMSM and would love to prepare more for it! Hope you find the right program! Thank you!

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 23, 2020 15:07

What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.

Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?

They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

Congrats on getting all those offers!
May I ask what questions did the admissions team ask in the interview? Is it similar to MBA programs' interviews? I am waiting for my interview for iMSM and would love to prepare more for it!
Hope you find the right program! Thank you!

Thanks a lot!
The interview is not that tough and they will just ask you a few questions about your future goals and what makes you think that the program is a good fit for you. It wont be that long; just about 10-12 mins max.
Where are you from if you dont mind me asking?

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 23, 2020]

[quote][quote]What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from. 
Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois? 
 
They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think. [/quote] Congrats on getting all those offers! May I ask what questions did the admissions team ask in the interview? Is it similar to MBA programs' interviews? I am waiting for my interview for iMSM and would love to prepare more for it! Hope you find the right program! Thank you! [/quote] Thanks a lot! The interview is not that tough and they will just ask you a few questions about your future goals and what makes you think that the program is a good fit for you. It wont be that long; just about 10-12 mins max.  Where are you from if you dont mind me asking?

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 24, 2020 05:00

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum?

quote

Inactive User

2.941 1.801

Posted Jun 25, 2020 15:43

I don't think any US-based online MBA program will get you very far in Canada. I checked LinkedIn and something like 0.1% of all users in a search for 'MBA' in Canada have UIUC as a connected school. This tells me that the school's network is not very deep in the country.

"study where you want to work" as Duncan mentioned above - I completely agree with this. The Canadian schools will have the best networks across the country.

And just getting permission to work in the country will also be another challenge...

I don't think any US-based online MBA program will get you very far in Canada. I checked LinkedIn and something like 0.1% of all users in a search for 'MBA' in Canada have UIUC as a connected school. This tells me that the school's network is not very deep in the country.  "study where you want to work" as Duncan mentioned above - I completely agree with this. The Canadian schools will have the best networks across the country.  And just getting permission to work in the country will also be another challenge...

quote

alanford

1 2

Posted Jun 26, 2020 09:59

Very nice. Congradulation!

quote

Inactive User

266 92

Posted Jun 26, 2020 12:56

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum?

Canada is an egalitarian society and the concept of prestige is not the same as the US. The Illinois MBA would be treated as no worse or better than any other Canadian online MBA (e.g. Athabasca). Similar to Athabasca, the degree will benefit you if you want to advance in your current career in Canada. Just like Athabasca, I don't think an online degree, by itself, will help you land a job in Canada if you are a recent immigrant. For that, you need a full-time MBA, not for the prestige, but for the contacts and access to career services.

[quote]@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum?  [/quote] Canada is an egalitarian society and the concept of prestige is not the same as the US.  The Illinois MBA would be treated as no worse or better than any other Canadian online MBA (e.g. Athabasca).  Similar to Athabasca, the degree will benefit you if you want to advance in your current career in Canada.  Just like Athabasca, I don't think an online degree, by itself, will help you land a job in Canada if you are a recent immigrant.  For that, you need a full-time MBA, not for the prestige, but for the contacts and access to career services.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 26, 2020 16:02

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum?

Canada is an egalitarian society and the concept of prestige is not the same as the US. The Illinois MBA would be treated as no worse or better than any other Canadian online MBA (e.g. Athabasca). Similar to Athabasca, the degree will benefit you if you want to advance in your current career in Canada. Just like Athabasca, I don't think an online degree, by itself, will help you land a job in Canada if you are a recent immigrant. For that, you need a full-time MBA, not for the prestige, but for the contacts and access to career services.

Do we have to mention to the enployers that the degree was online when it doesn't say so on the certificate? Also, do you think employers in Canada won't differentiate between a rotman mba and an mba from say Dalhousie or university of the Fraser valley? Is that why so many students from Asia consider diploma grating colleges like Seneca?

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 26, 2020]

[quote][quote]@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum?  [/quote] Canada is an egalitarian society and the concept of prestige is not the same as the US.  The Illinois MBA would be treated as no worse or better than any other Canadian online MBA (e.g. Athabasca).  Similar to Athabasca, the degree will benefit you if you want to advance in your current career in Canada.  Just like Athabasca, I don't think an online degree, by itself, will help you land a job in Canada if you are a recent immigrant.  For that, you need a full-time MBA, not for the prestige, but for the contacts and access to career services.   [/quote] Do we have to mention to the enployers that the degree was online when it doesn't say so on the certificate? Also, do you think employers in Canada won't differentiate between a rotman mba and an mba from say Dalhousie or university of the Fraser valley? Is that why so many students from Asia consider diploma grating colleges like Seneca?

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 26, 2020 18:00

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 26, 2020 18:57

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

Do you think hiring managers view on campus programs in a more favourable light? I am worried that even though the diploma of the imsm is the same as the on campus msm it would not be as highly regarded as the on campus program.

[quote]Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities. [/quote] Do you think hiring managers view on campus programs in a more favourable light? I am worried that even though the diploma of the imsm is the same as the on campus msm it would not be as highly regarded as the on campus program.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 26, 2020 18:57

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 26, 2020 18:57

Very nice. Congradulation!

Thanks a lot :)

[quote]Very nice. Congradulation! [/quote] Thanks a lot :)

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 26, 2020 19:55

No I think there are just logistical and cohort factors that make full-time programs better fo hiring managers. Anyone who looks closely at how Gies supplements the coursera elements will see that they bring great selectivity to the degree. My guess around 100,000 people have started on a iMBA specialization and only a few thousand have made it into the degree. People know it's a heavyweight, serious, integrated MBA. But on campus you can attend events, get socialisation, and being full-time you are free for interview, able to do internships are so on.

quote

Ghentuni

34 18

Posted Jun 26, 2020 20:08

No I think there are just logistical and cohort factors that make full-time programs better fo hiring managers. Anyone who looks closely at how Gies supplements the coursera elements will see that they bring great selectivity to the degree. My guess around 100,000 people have started on a iMBA specialization and only a few thousand have made it into the degree. People know it's a heavyweight, serious, integrated MBA. But on campus you can attend events, get socialisation, and being full-time you are free for interview, able to do internships are so on.

Thank you for your reply. I have received a reply from them. They had immersions planned in Brazil and Germany for the online students but that won't be happening this year due to covid. The degree awarded will be the same as the on campus one, however there will be minimal support from their side to help students to find a job as it is assumed that the people who are pursuing the degree are working full time and are looking to enhance their cv to get promoted to a managerial position.

[quote]No I think there are just logistical and cohort factors that make full-time programs better fo hiring managers. Anyone who looks closely at how Gies supplements the coursera elements will see that they bring great selectivity to the degree. My guess around 100,000 people have started on a iMBA specialization and only a few thousand have made it into the degree. People know it's a heavyweight, serious, integrated MBA. But on campus you can attend events, get socialisation, and being full-time you are free for interview, able to do internships are so on.  [/quote] Thank you for your reply. I have received a reply from them. They had immersions planned in Brazil and Germany for the online students but that won't be happening this year due to covid. The degree awarded will be the same as the on campus one, however there will be minimal support from their side to help students to find a job as it is assumed that the people who are pursuing the degree are working full time and are looking to enhance their cv to get promoted to a managerial position.

quote

Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Jun 26, 2020 20:10

That makes sense. It's very hard for 99.99% of schools to give careers support to people who live in a different region.

quote