Chicago Booth Executive MBA or moving to Canada as Student

[saleem.kh]

Guys,

My question is a little different. I need your valuable advice on it because you guys know the value of education and immigration better than others.

I work in the Middle East as Finance Manager, and a true admirer of elite business schools MBA programs. I seek to take admission in Chicago Booth Executive MBA program while working in the Middle East and traveling to take classes on its campus. It is doable and would be full of learning, experience and fun. I simply love Chicago Booth and its team.

On the other hand, there is a thought that I may go to Canada as a full time student in one of the Second Tier Business School and spend almost the same money for two years MBA/EMBA program (Program Fee + Living Cost + Opportunity Cost of No job). In short, a student of Chicago Booth EMBA with a job and a Full time MBA/EMBA student in Canada would cost the same, but ranking wise there is no comparison with Chicago Booth.

Benefit of Canadian education would be an immigration option after it. The Chicago Booth EMBA program doesn't guarantee this, but surely it would lead me to a better career and huge learning experience in the Finance field. I intend to relocate to the west, even if I go with the option of EMBA from Chicago Booth. No long term plans to live in the Middle East. I might be able to secure a job in Canada after an EMBA from Chicago booth, but I don't know the market of Canada a lot.

Kindly advice based on your learning and experience that what is the best track to choose. Your valued input would help me a lot. Thank you.

Please, have your say!

Cheers!
Saleem

[Jon@Admissionado]

Hey Saleem,

Well these tracks are so different that it really is hard to compare.

In general, from a purely professional perspective I usually advise people to go to the better school. In the long term this is often a choice that pays off the most, just because of the value of the prestige, and the contacts that you take with you for a whole life.

On the other hand, only YOU can qualitatively evaluate where you want to live, whether a full time program is preferable to a part-time one, whether you prefer to work or take a break, and so on...

Best,
Jon

[CriticalSquareMBA]

I'm with Jon here - these are two really different tracks. They both have pros and cons. And given the massive impact this will have on your day to day life, there are a host of qualitative concerns to take into account as well.

Essentially, the question you need to answer is this. Do I value the EXPERIENCE or the BRAND? I agree with Jon in that brand trumps most everything but you're comparing apples to oranges. A PT program, no matter how prestigious, is really hard to compare to a full time program.


Bhavik

[saleem.kh]

Hi Jon and Bhavik,

Thank you very much for your valued input.

I totally agree with you that Brand name and Alumni of top schools matter a lot in our career. Chicago Booth EMBA suits my career in Finance because it offers 17 electives in core finance areas. I can feel the quality of the School by just communicating with its team. No doubt, the top schools are different than the rest.

I wanted to take advice from the experienced professionals in the field to make sure that I'm following the right track. Thank you so much.

Regards,
Saleem

[CriticalSquareMBA]

You're very welcome! Let us know where you wind up!

Bhavik

[Jon@Admissionado]

Allrighty,
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

Best,
Jon

[saleem.kh]

Hi guys!

I wanted to share a good news that I am offered admission in Chicago Booth Executive MBA program. I will be joining the program in coming months.

Awe! One of my big dream has come true. Thank you so much for your guidance.

Best,
Saleem