Research MBA Programs

Hello,

I am trying to figure out:
a) if Fuqua, Kellog, and NYU Polytechnic are much better than LBS and worth turning down an offer from LBS (by not paying the Commitment Fee) and taking the risk.
b) if my chances of getting into Fuqua, Kellog, and NYU are high enough to make it worth taking the risk.

More information on my background and the specific case:

Background:
* I am 22.
* From Baku, Azerbaijan (close to Turkey, Iran, Russia).
* GMAT 680 (Q-50, V-31).
* BSc in Applied Math and Computer Science, and GPA - 86/100 from a local university . Full Scholarship.
* Exchange student for 2 semesters in a small 4-year college in the US. GPA - 3.53/4.00 . Fully funded by US State Department.
* 14 month of part-time work experience before graduation as a web developer (7 month in BP)
* 10 month (by July, 2015) of full-time work experience after graduation as a Project Specialist / Junior Project Manager for the European (Olympic) Games in a multi-national team.

Career Aspirations :
* Plan A - Entrepreneurship.
* Plan B+ - Management Consulting (MBB, Accenture), VC, or mid-stage start-up.
* Location : Almost no personal preferences : US (startup hubs) or London.

Case:
* I am admitted to LBS Masters in Management. However, I think the US is better for Plan A : Entrepreneurship, and Plan B : Employment of a non-US / non-EU citizen in the US or London.
* The programs that I liked and I am eligible for are : Fuqua MMS, Kellogg MMS, NYU (Polytechnic) Management.
* The problem is that Jan, 23 is the dead-line to pay LBS Commitment Fee, that equals 6.000 GBP. And this is a considerable amount of money for me.
* As one more option : LSE : If LSE is not much worth than LBS.

To remind you the questions:
a) Are Fuqua, Kellog, and NYU Polytechnic much better than LBS and worth turning down an offer from LBS (by not paying the Commitment Fee) and taking the risk?
b) Are my chances of getting into Fuqua, Kellog, and NYU Polytechnic high enough to make it worth taking the risk?

Thank you for your time. You experience and point of view are valuable and can make a change. Please share your opinion.

Hello Jahangir

Correct me if I am wrong - you have received official admit from LBS MiM but not from the other schools (Fuqua, Kellogg, NYU). First of all , congratulations !!

Your profile is quite impressive and judging by the MMS class profiles of these schools, your chances for Fuqua and NYU are pretty good. The Kellogg program however is newly introduced and more suited for fresh graduates. Among all these schools, the LBS MiM program is most established and offers far better opportunities. I think you should take a look at their employment statistics https://www.london.edu/-/media/files/pro ... _jan14.pdf

Quite a lot of students started their own venture, so you will certainly have alumni who could guide you towards entrepreneurship when the time comes. Nearly 30% of the class is placed in consulting and so LBS is a good option for your plan B as well. So I would advise you to go with LBS.

If the choice was among admits, you could probably consider Fuqua. But at this stage, giving up an admit for schools you haven't even applied to, could be a huge risk.

Let me know what you think.

Hello,

Thank you for the informative and detailed response.

You are very right. I received an official admit from LBS, and I did not yet apply for Fuqua / Kellog / NYU Polytechnic.

This is truly a hard choice. Yes, MC employment after LBS is top notch. And this makes the program so tempting. But as a devils argument against entrepreneurship after LBS : there is difference between starting a venture and succeeding.What I feel is that entrepreneurial environment in the US is substantially better than the one in the UK.

This particular feeling, combined with the passion to succeed with my Plan A, makes me willing to take a risk, turn down an offer from LBS, and go for these 3 American School.
Ahh. What a dilemma.

Hello again

I understand your dilemma. Might I suggest a different option, one where you combine your plan A and C. Is it necessary for you to start up immediately after your MiM? Because you could pursue MC for a few years, build a successful career and a network and then start up after a few years. In this time, you could move to the US either though the same firm or in a different firm with experience in consulting. Then you could start up in the US. What do you think?

I am curious to know what decision did you take finally?

Both LBS and Duke have amazing MiM programs and your debate about a stronger chance of getting a job in US makes sense, as lately immigration laws are getting really tough in the UK.

Though just giving up LBS for entrepreneurship does not really cut it, both the schools will give you an excellent education and you can always start up while in school and take it up full time if things run great or keep it as a side job once you graduate. Both these schools have an excellent entrepreneurship atmosphere.

Plus, you will get excellent opportunities when you graduate and you can make the best of both worlds, by gaining some work ex at a top notch firm and side by side working on your company.
I guess its a skill building/learning opportunity many would kill for.

But that's my 2 cents.

You can check out https://www.mim-essay.com/lbs-mim-review.html for a more indepth review about the LBS MiM & https://www.mim-essay.com/duke-mms-review.html for one on Duke.
I hope it would help future applicants get a good idea about the MiM offered by the 2 schools.

Regards,