MBA - Europe v/s US - facts/ myths/ confusions

[nittinj]

I will be taking up GMAT and will be applying mostly in round 2 of all b schools. I am slightly confused about must apply schools. My list as of now -

Europe
JBS, SBS, HEC - Paris, Insead

US
Kellog,Darden, Rotman (Canada), Georgetown, Kelley,

After my research I came across few myths and facts which are adding to my confusion -

Europe ( in context with school list above)

- Hi cost of living (considering I will be moving with my spouse) as compared to USA
- Placements are not as sound as US- you have to make huge personal efforts 3-4 months and rely on ur own network ( SBS/ JBS especially)
- Language & Asian backgrouynd issue especially- HEC Paris for emplyment
- Not very good for consulting, strategy related jobs (except Insead)
- Gives heavy weightage to undergrad GPA (SBS/ JBS/ HEC)

USA
- Good for finance, i banking
- Gives heavy weightage to undergrad GPA ( Rotman, Duke)

Please let me know of above facts and myths which are correct/ partially correct/ incorrect. Please advise if my list is correct. I want to trim the list from 9 to 5-6 max.

Below is my brief profile.

Thanks

Nitin
---------

Please recommend suitable MUST apply schools. My brief profile is as under -

1. B.Tech (chemical) - IITB ( top 3 in India) - GPA 6.9/10 == 2.8/4 (2004)
2. Extra curr - school & college - debate, singing, dramatics, essay, direction, script writing - recieved several awards/ prizes including - Organization citation & Cultural citation from IITB hostel.
3. Held several key posts in school & college hostel admin body
4. Good grades in final yr project, course seminar, electives, 3 mnths scholarship + internship at Max Plank Germany ( summer 2003)
5.Aug 04 - March 05 - manager trainee (De Nora India Ltd) - technical aspects of pdt
6. Apr 05 - Mar 06 - Manager tech ser - handling service engineers across India, tech support to customers/ engineers/ distributors
7. Apr 06 - Mar 07 - Mgr tech ser - tech serv + marketing + business development, exensive traveling, recruting new engineers, distributors, meeting customers, particiapating in tenders in public sector. Co size - 40+, Sales - 9 mill USD, my div sales - 1 million USD
8. June 07 - till date - Honeywell, India - Engineer - Sales - S&M, project selling, proposals, traveling, internal sales process of Honeywell, identify new business etc. Co size - 2500 +, Sales - 200 m USD, my div sales - 10 m USD
9. Extra curr after college - mainly passive - novels, blogs, photography, singing, movies, organized a small reunion of schoolmates

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

First, to address your opinions about European schools: I believe the cost of living is high, due to low dollar. The placement effectiveness will vary school to school, and also according to the applicant’s situation; I suggest research the placement for each school you’re interested in vis-à-vis your individual interests. Not sure what you mean by your language question! Some schools are quite good for global consulting, e.g., INSEAD. The weight given to GPA is not a set percentage in a formula; for any program, it will depend on other factors, including GMAT, rigor of course work, etc.

Regarding US programs: many US programs are good for finance, but how the current volatility in the industry will affect MBA programs remains to be seen. I would make the same comment as above regarding weight given to GPA.

I can’t determine whether your list is correct as would need your GMAT score for that, as well as your goals. Wishing you all the best --

Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com

[nittinj]

thanks for the info. My query regarding HEC was

- do one needs to know french to improve employability ??
- hows HEC's visibility outside Europe ?

thnks

[Robert137]

To hear what European students themselves have to say about the facts, myths and confusions:

businessbecause.com/mba-life/hear-it-from-the-students-videos-look-inside-b-school-life.htm