Yale vs INSEAD

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Yale vs INSEAD

by InsYal » Thu Mar 24, 2011 10:59 am
Hi everybody,

I got accepted to those two schools and need some thoughts to clear my mind.

I'm 30 years, German, 5yrs experience, engineer, 60 employees in the manufacturing industry. I ponder to switch industries (finance - PE, IB) after graduation but can also imagine to stay in this field of work. I've never worked abroad beside an internship in China. I can imagine myself working all over the world in any developed country like Singapore, Hongkong, USA, most western European countries...
My insecurity about my field of work after graduation suggests a longer program with the possibility of an internship whereas my age, the ranking, costs and maybe experience might speak for the 10 months at INSEAD. INSEAD starts in Singapore in September whereas the 22 months for Yale start in August. Yale is closer to finance I think. INSEAD I've heared closer to Consulting. I'm pretty sure that I don't want to work in Consulting as I prefer a more "stationed" work. In two years I should have a closer connection to my peers in class and should much more enhance my English.

What is your experience that employers think is more valuable. Should I just look at the numbers (ranking, costs, ...)? I just want to make the right choice.

I appreciate your valuable advice.
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by DanaJ » Thu Mar 24, 2011 2:04 pm
Hey congrats on the admits! As as I see it, it's a win-win situation, you can't go wrong with either school. All your points are really well outlined and I guess I'll give that classic "you must decide for yourself" feedback, but I'll also add even more food for thought: Yale is a better school for the US while INSEAD is a better school for Europe/Asia in terms of brand recognition. I suppose it depends a bit on where you want to work?

Also, as a current student in a one year program (it's a masters in finance), I can tell you that a year flies by pretty fast... Especially if you're having fun! If you were a bit younger I would definitely vouch for the 2-year program. However, if I were you, I'd probably also consider family plans and such, which would make me lean towards the one-year program. Of course, I'm a girl and girls tend to be more time-sensitive on the topic of marriage/kids...

I can't really say that Yale is known for finance to be honest, but neither is INSEAD? Or maybe this is just a subjective opinion...