Right MBA program for me ?

shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 00:08

Hello all,
I am a 33yo Indian chief officer and certified captain working on oil/chemical tankers (maritime, O&G, Logistics, Operations) with a total of 9 years of work ex. in a top shipping company.
Short term : Get into supply chain design/strategy and focusing of sustainability, preferably in Energy / O&G, or Amazon-like companies.
Backup : Operations management with focus on sustainability, preferably in Energy / O&G.
Long term : Start own venture in sustainable supply chain/manufacturing in global/Indian maritime sector.
Geography no constraint.
GRE Score : Total 322(Q170 V152 AWA4.0)

Very confused between :
1. US vs EU/UK programs , or 2-yr vs 1-yr MBA : Factors such as ROI, Niche background, extensive experience, current job market, opportunities, etc. Is it worth taking a huge financial commitment in US programs, and 1 additional year out of employment, when I'm aware that I'd have a difficult time making it to MBBs and Big4s and when I'm not very keen on them. Plus I'm not very sure on the opportunities that I would get in the USA.
2. MBA program within EU/UK : Have come to know through various interactions with Alumni/current students that the institute name does not matter much to the employers in EU. Going just by the brand of the program, paying bills doesn't seem a good idea. Eg, IMD vs. Mannheim. Do these high-cost MBAs actually offer something unique or am I just paying for the ranking? On the other hand, whether lower ranked schools such as Mannheim and RSM are equally productive for my profile, considering the strategic location and economy of the country.

Schools shortlisted for USA (with planned improved GRE score) : Tuck, Duke, Ross, Tepper, Emory and Kenan-flagler.
Schools shortlisted for EU/UK : HEC, IMD, Ox SAID, Rotterdam School of mgmt, Mannheim, MAYBE INSEAD.

Experts please assist in the selection of program.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 21, 2024 01:41

If employers don't care about the schools, how do you explain the enduring difference between the average salaries of graduates from the better and worse schools?

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 10:16

If employers don't care about the schools, how do you explain the enduring difference between the average salaries of graduates from the better and worse schools?

HEy Duncan, Thanks for the input. Is the difference between the average salaries significantly huge?

Also, might it be the case that consulting / finance heavy schools(roles which are more generous in pay) aggregate more average salaries because of the roles?

I guess what they wanted to say that for an international, EU firms, unlike Indian and the US firms, focus more on the skills you posses and the background you have, than the prestige of the school you attended.

Getting a mixed review from the students. Few in the EU asked me to blindly apply to US schools, in terms of the opportunities, and few in the US suggested me to focus in EU, given my age, experience and industry.
Also, can you please comment on the selection of the schools basis the data provided ? TIA

[Edited by shashankss3 on Aug 21, 2024]

[quote]If employers don't care about the schools, how do you explain the enduring difference between the average salaries of graduates from the better and worse schools? [/quote] 
 
HEy Duncan, Thanks for the input. Is the difference between the average salaries significantly huge? 
Also, might it be the case that consulting / finance heavy schools(roles which are more generous in pay) aggregate more average salaries because of the roles? 
I guess what they wanted to say that for an international, EU firms, unlike Indian and the US firms, focus more on the skills you posses and the background you have, than the prestige of the school you attended. 
Getting a mixed review from the students. Few in the EU asked me to blindly apply to US schools, in terms of the opportunities, and few in the US suggested me to focus in EU, given my age, experience and industry.
Also, can you please comment on the selection of the schools basis the data provided ? TIA

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 21, 2024 14:42

You can answer most of these questions yourself. Look at https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2954/european-business-school-rankings-2023 - Let's look at the gap between the highest and lowest-ranked schools in the major European countries in terms of average graduate salaries:

France: 116.9% gap
Italy: 107.0% gap
UK: 85.8% gap
Spain: 71.0% gap
Netherlands: 30.1% gap
Germany: 20.9% gap.

These are all excellent schools. Even the lowest-ranked school will have a median salary far ahead of the average of all MBAs in that country. But even between these excellent schools, there are massive differences. This is so easy to discover: Are you avoiding facts because you have already made a choice?

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 21, 2024 14:52

Your GRE score is broadly in line with a 650 GMAT, but you are targeting schools where you are not a competitive candidate. Because your work experience is not in roles that traditionally feed into MBAs, and since you are an older international applicant, most schools with a 650 GMAT will think you are harder to place into an MBA-level role. Here are a few suggestions:

United States

University of Washington (Foster): With a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, Foster could be a great choice for your career aspirations.

Indiana University (Kelley): Kelley's emphasis on practical experience and strong alumni network could be beneficial for your transition into supply chain design and strategy.

Vanderbilt University (Owen): Owen's focus on leadership development and global perspective could align well with your experience and goals.

United Kingdom

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS): LUMS's emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility could be particularly relevant given your interest in this area.

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StuartHE

1.200 720

Posted Aug 21, 2024 15:35

Schrödinger's MBA applicant: says there's no difference between better and worse schools; targets primarily top-50 global MBAs like Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, HEC, IMD, INSEAD, Michigan, Oxford and UNC.

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 15:55

Your GRE score is broadly in line with a 650 GMAT, but you are targeting schools where you are not a competitive candidate. Because your work experience is not in roles that traditionally feed into MBAs, and since you are an older international applicant, most schools with a 650 GMAT will think you are harder to place into an MBA-level role. Here are a few suggestions:

United States

University of Washington (Foster): With a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, Foster could be a great choice for your career aspirations.

Indiana University (Kelley): Kelley's emphasis on practical experience and strong alumni network could be beneficial for your transition into supply chain design and strategy.

Vanderbilt University (Owen): Owen's focus on leadership development and global perspective could align well with your experience and goals.

United Kingdom

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS): LUMS's emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility could be particularly relevant given your interest in this area.

Thanks Duncan.

While I have mentioned that "Schools shortlisted (with planned improved GRE score) " , maybe I shall come back to this discussion with a 330+ GRE score. That might help me with improved chances in the schools that I have shortlisted.

[quote]Your GRE score is broadly in line with a 650 GMAT, but you are targeting schools where you are not a competitive candidate. Because your work experience is not in roles that traditionally feed into MBAs, and since you are an older international applicant, most schools with a 650 GMAT will think you are harder to place into an MBA-level role. Here are a few suggestions:

United States

University of Washington (Foster): With a strong focus on innovation and entrepreneurship, Foster could be a great choice for your career aspirations.

Indiana University (Kelley): Kelley's emphasis on practical experience and strong alumni network could be beneficial for your transition into supply chain design and strategy.

Vanderbilt University (Owen): Owen's focus on leadership development and global perspective could align well with your experience and goals.

United Kingdom

Lancaster University Management School (LUMS): LUMS's emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility could be particularly relevant given your interest in this area. [/quote]

Thanks Duncan.

While I have mentioned that "Schools shortlisted (with planned improved GRE score) " , maybe I shall come back to this discussion with a 330+ GRE score. That might help me with improved chances in the schools that I have shortlisted.

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 16:10

Schrödinger's MBA applicant: says there's no difference between better and worse schools; targets primarily top-50 global MBAs like Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, HEC, IMD, INSEAD, Michigan, Oxford and UNC.

Well thank you for your sarcasm here sir. The Schrödinger's MBA applicant has posted this query because he is not as aware of the processes in the MBA world as you are and is still figuring out things. Secondly, the Applicant does not say that there's no difference between better and worse schools; that is the input being given by the current students / Alumni.

My query says, "Do these high-cost MBAs actually offer something unique or am I just paying for the ranking? On the other hand, whether lower ranked schools such as Mannheim and RSM are equally productive for my profile, considering the strategic location and economy of the country." I don't understand in what terms do I indicate that there's no difference between the programs or anything similar to that. It was meant for the EXPERTS who know a lot more than I do and give their feedbacks.

And If I have shortlisted the schools, I might have put some thoughts towards it, instead of randomly picking up the schools. And maybe there's some difference in quality and cost between INSEAD and Mannheim, even if not drastic.

Anyway, thanks for your insightful comment. You were really helpful.

[Edited by shashankss3 on Aug 21, 2024]

[quote]Schrödinger's MBA applicant: says there's no difference between better and worse schools; targets primarily top-50 global MBAs like Dartmouth, Duke, Emory, HEC, IMD, INSEAD, Michigan, Oxford and UNC. [/quote] 
 
Well thank you for your sarcasm here sir. The Schrödinger's MBA applicant has posted this query because he is not as aware of the processes in the MBA world as you are and is still figuring out things. Secondly, the Applicant does not say that there's no difference between better and worse schools; that is the input being given by the current students / Alumni. 
 
My query says, "Do these high-cost MBAs actually offer something unique or am I just paying for the ranking? On the other hand, whether lower ranked schools such as Mannheim and RSM are equally productive for my profile, considering the strategic location and economy of the country." I don't understand in what terms do I indicate that there's no difference between the programs or anything similar to that. It was meant for the EXPERTS who know a lot more than I do and give their feedbacks. 
And If I have shortlisted the schools, I might have put some thoughts towards it, instead of randomly picking up the schools. And maybe there's some difference in quality and cost between INSEAD and Mannheim, even if not drastic. 
Anyway, thanks for your insightful comment. You were really helpful.

quote

shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 16:19

You can answer most of these questions yourself. Look at https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2954/european-business-school-rankings-2023 - Let's look at the gap between the highest and lowest-ranked schools in the major European countries in terms of average graduate salaries:

France: 116.9% gap
Italy: 107.0% gap
UK: 85.8% gap
Spain: 71.0% gap
Netherlands: 30.1% gap
Germany: 20.9% gap.

These are all excellent schools. Even the lowest-ranked school will have a median salary far ahead of the average of all MBAs in that country. But even between these excellent schools, there are massive differences. This is so easy to discover: Are you avoiding facts because you have already made a choice?

Thanks Duncan. I do not intend to avoid facts here, but maybe in hindsight I did. It's just that knowing that this might be as well my last graduate curriculum of career, I do not want to take risks and pursue MBA from some reputed Institute, not necessarily the topmost. If GRE is a thing that might help me achieve that, I will give it my best shot again and I'm quite confident that I'll improve it.

[quote]You can answer most of these questions yourself. Look at https://rankings.ft.com/rankings/2954/european-business-school-rankings-2023 - Let's look at the gap between the highest and lowest-ranked schools in the major European countries in terms of average graduate salaries:

France: 116.9% gap
Italy: 107.0% gap
UK: 85.8% gap
Spain: 71.0% gap
Netherlands: 30.1% gap
Germany: 20.9% gap.

These are all excellent schools. Even the lowest-ranked school will have a median salary far ahead of the average of all MBAs in that country. But even between these excellent schools, there are massive differences. This is so easy to discover: Are you avoiding facts because you have already made a choice?

[/quote]

Thanks Duncan. I do not intend to avoid facts here, but maybe in hindsight I did. It's just that knowing that this might be as well my last graduate curriculum of career, I do not want to take risks and pursue MBA from some reputed Institute, not necessarily the topmost. If GRE is a thing that might help me achieve that, I will give it my best shot again and I'm quite confident that I'll improve it.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 21, 2024 21:25

I think a small improvement in the verbal side of the test will be the best tactic. You are in the top ten per cent on both sides, but take a look at GMAT Tiers - strong schools for your GMAT www.find-mba.com/board/27082 to understand that as an Indian male, your chances are hampered as they make up a large part of the applicant pool. Your work experience will be very differently valued: on the one hand, you are not in a typical role for an MBA, which makes you hard to place. On the other hand, you will have outstanding leadership experience that office workers will rarely have. The right school will value you. So, I think RSM is great. And Bayes in London has always been robust for shipping. I also do wonder if MIT, Ross or Kellogg might be intrigued by you, especially if you have a more balanced GRE. I also wonder about NUS, SMU and the MSc programmes worldwide in the MIT Scale consortium.

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 21:54

@Duncan : Your post on GMAT Tiers is very insightful. Can you please elaborate on "You are in the top ten per cent on both sides" ? I couldn't quite get it.
My colleagues and seniors(basically ex-seafarers), almost my age or a tad younger have graduated from schools such as Duke, Ross, Insead, IMD, etc. Though their GMAT/GRE was above 700 level. Placement in today's scenario might be unpredictable, as you implied. The only thing that favors me is the unique leadership experience lol.
Thank you again for your input and valued suggestion.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 21, 2024 23:16

On the verbal and quantitative side of the GRE, I think your scores are both in the top 10%.

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 21, 2024 23:18

On the verbal and quantitative side of the GRE, I think your scores are both in the top 10%.

My percentile in Quant is 94% and in verbal is 52%.

[quote]On the verbal and quantitative side of the GRE, I think your scores are both in the top 10%. [/quote]

My percentile in Quant is 94% and in verbal is 52%.

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Duncan

14.013 15.475

Posted Aug 22, 2024 00:53

Oh! In that case you definitely need to punch up your verbal score for any school that uses the case method. They will want to be sure you have the oral acuity needed for fast paced class rooms.

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shashankss...

4 8

Posted Aug 22, 2024 13:05

@Duncan : Sure Duncan, will get on it. Thank you. :)

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