Hi XXX,
Well I am not officially part of the school as yet but I will be starting my MBA in April this year. I will be heading over to Madrid in a couple of weeks to attend the Spanish classes and pre-courses provided by the school.
In regards to the school, I think it would probably be best if I explained my reasons for choosing IE. I have a financial services technology background from Australia, and I've worked closely with a few blue chip companies. Post the MBA I am endeavoring to transition into Management Consulting, hopefully at a top 4 firm.
I decided to choose Europe for an MBA because I thought the perspective provided by the American schools was quite inwardly focused and the European MBAs provided more of a global experience. Also, I thought the return on investment was much better, as the cost, monetary and opportunity cost, was much lower.
In terms of consulting schools in Europe, I thought the best schools to consider were LBS, INSEAD and IE. I thought my 4 years experience was a bit short for IMD so I didnt apply there. I applied in a pretty tough application cycle (09) and I got waitlisted at LBS and INSEAD so I chose IE. I did consider HEC Paris but I decided against it because I thought the school was too French and did not quite have the diversity and the international flavour of IE. I also thought about Oxford / Cambridge but they are better known for fields outside of business, so I didnt apply there either.
In regards to job prospects, the Spanish economy is in a pretty poor state. However, I think the rest of Europe will be on a pretty steady road to recovery this year. I also believe that my best shot at a consulting career is in London, so it is likely I will be there after my MBA. IE has a very strong record of placing students in top consulting firms. When comparing with European schools IE is probably only second to INSEAD in this department.
In regards to the school, I think it would probably be best if I explained my reasons for choosing IE. I have a financial services technology background from Australia, and I've worked closely with a few blue chip companies. Post the MBA I am endeavoring to transition into Management Consulting, hopefully at a top 4 firm.
I decided to choose Europe for an MBA because I thought the perspective provided by the American schools was quite inwardly focused and the European MBAs provided more of a global experience. Also, I thought the return on investment was much better, as the cost, monetary and opportunity cost, was much lower.
In terms of consulting schools in Europe, I thought the best schools to consider were LBS, INSEAD and IE. I thought my 4 years experience was a bit short for IMD so I didnt apply there. I applied in a pretty tough application cycle (09) and I got waitlisted at LBS and INSEAD so I chose IE. I did consider HEC Paris but I decided against it because I thought the school was too French and did not quite have the diversity and the international flavour of IE. I also thought about Oxford / Cambridge but they are better known for fields outside of business, so I didnt apply there either.
In regards to job prospects, the Spanish economy is in a pretty poor state. However, I think the rest of Europe will be on a pretty steady road to recovery this year. I also believe that my best shot at a consulting career is in London, so it is likely I will be there after my MBA. IE has a very strong record of placing students in top consulting firms. When comparing with European schools IE is probably only second to INSEAD in this department.
Of course IE is also very strong in the Entrepreneurial and Corporate Social Responsibility fields.
Anyway, I hope my spiel above was helpful. I would be glad to help by recalling my experience in the INSEAD/LBS/IE interviews.
All the best with your MBA search.
Anyway, I hope my spiel above was helpful. I would be glad to help by recalling my experience in the INSEAD/LBS/IE interviews.
All the best with your MBA search.
As a future classmate (and American), your paragraph on US vs. European business schools is dead on target. Interesting to see that you're also thinking about consulting at this point (although I'm still not exactly sure where my job focus will be). Keep the posts coming, I look forward to meeting you soon (although unfortunately I arrive in Spain a couple days after the February event you're coordinating).
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how the posterity of the internet can catch up with you so soon ("I think the rest of Europe will be on a pretty steady road to recovery this year"). In light of Greece's situation my judgement is reserved. Good Luck Mate! - Adam
ReplyDelete