Calling all Rotman(Toronto) Applicants: (2016 Intake) Class of 2018!!

DO we have to sent official GMAT score to Rotman before final decision or they will process the application with the uploaded unofficial scorecard? Then if selected we can send the official score later

I believe your application can be processed with the unofficial score but you might not get an offer until the official score is received. All the best with your application.

I think the question should be is this your most confident application? If yes, apply.

Hi All,

At the outset, please excuse me for the extremely lengthy post.

I am an applicant to ROTMAN for the Class of 2018. I do not have an admit yet, but I have already interviewed with ROTMAN. I am expecting a decision by mid of next week. I have a few ROTMAN and Canada specific questions in my quest for locking the decision on ROTMAN and other related FAQs. I know most of the questions would make more sense once I have a final decision, but I would like to prepare for this as best as I can and hence the questions now.

I would like to request current students and/or alumni active on this forum or anyone who has already been admitted or is currently applying and has done thorough research on ROTMAN and Canada to please share his/her experience on the below questions. I am sure many other prospective applicants like myself would have similar questions. Would be helpful for many of us.

Here are my questions:

- Why CANADA and Why ROTMAN: What are the reasons for choosing Canada as an MBA destination? What are the reasons for choosing ROTMAN?

- EXPENSES: The school website mentions that living expenses in Toronto per month would average in the range of $20-30K. I am preparing for $25K expenses annually, is that a fair enough estimate? I am also preparing for 6 months of buffer time after graduation to land a job. So considering all of the above, the estimate comes to about $170K. Is that a safe estimate to be preparing for, or should I allow more buffer? Also, usually how long after graduation do students find a job?

- ROI and Cost Efficiency: How is the RoI and cost efficiency at ROTMAN? As in, does the post-MBA gains of an average ROTMAN MBA match the worthiness of paying $170K for the program? What is the usual repayment period? I am dependent on student loans for almost about 80% of the entire expense (tuition + personal expenses). Is it a risky investment, to be relying on student loans for about 80% of the expense? I am really confused about this factor, and at times it freaks me out to consider that huge a debt. Are there usually a sizeable number of students who have a student debt of 80% of the total expense?

- Technology Industry jobs: I know ROTMAN has very strong reputation in the Finance Industry. How strong is ROTMAN's reputation in placing students in the Technology industry? What kind of roles do usually graduates land immediately after graduation in the Technology Industry? Are roles such as Business Development Manager and Strategy IT Consultant offered to ROTMAN graduates, or are the roles mostly entry level?

- Average salary in the Technology Industry: How much can ROTMAN graduates practically expect to earn after graduation in the Technology Industry? I know that the school website lists out average salaries, but averages can get seriously skewed by a few high earners. Is it fair to expect in the range of $80-90K in the Technology Industry?

- REPAYMENT PERIOD: How much should be the average repayment period with about 80% loan and about $85K salary? Is there any reference or website that I can refer that lists out average cost of living in Canada for both singles and families? I am not sure if I can manage with those figures, i.e. a $85K salary and a 80% student debt. I am not married yet, but that is around the corner. So I need to consider that as well. Anyone in a similar situation, please share your experience.

- Job market in CANADA: How is the job market in Canada currently? I understand that the Canadian economy is strong, but is it strong enough to expect a similar post-MBA role and compensation that one can expect in US or Singapore or Australia? I have also read from multiple sources that salaries in Canada are significantly lower than salaries offered in other MBA-major destinations. Is that real? Also, how feasible is it for spouses in the Technology industry to find jobs in Canada? Is Canada easy on that front? How is it working in Canada in general?

- Value of MBA in CANADA: What do Canadian employers require and value the most? A ROTMAN degree, or pre-MBA relevant work experience or a more specialised degree? If it is the last 2, how does an MBA from ROTMAN makes one competitive in the Canadian job market? I have heard that Canadian employers value specialised education more than they value an MBA. How much of a factor does this play in finding decent post-MBA roles?

- Finding jobs in CANADA post ROTMAN: Do most/all students who prefer to work in Canada post graduation usually find a job in Canada? I would love to know historical data about approximately what % of graduates annually want to find employment in Canada, but fail to do so and have to return back to their home countries? This may seem a pessimistic question to start with, but I am just preparing for all possibilities.

- INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION: What is the international recognition of the program? The question basically can also be read as what options do graduates have if they fail to find employment in Canada? Do employers outside of Canada value and recognise an MBA from ROTMAN?

- Weather: I come from India, and have worked in Singapore for 4 years. So, till date I have never experienced snowfall in my entire life. How much of a factor does the weather in Toronto play a part in student life at Toronto, especially for someone who has never experienced snow fall? Is the weather extremely harsh and unbearable, or is it not as harsh as people say? Should I be worried about weather and considering it a factor at all?

Hello Rotman aspirants!!

Has anybody received interview invites? Anybody here who submitted in December?

All the best!!:)

Got an interview invite from Tara last week. I scheduled it for the 25th of January

When did you submit your application?

On the 6th of January. I was surprised the invite came so soon

Great. All the best for your interview.

Oh wow! All the best! Do share your interview experience when you are done..

Congrats on your interview.
Are you a domestic or international applicant?

hey submitted my application on jan 10. have people started getting calls from rotman ?

Hello everybody-
I finished my application but when I get to the payment page, it says I need to pay 175 us $ but I thought the application fee is 175 Canadian dollars.....or is it a typo? anybody faced this issue?

That's strange. I paid mine in CAD, however you just see the $ sign. It doesn't state CAD.

Weird because on the PayPal screen I get it asks me to pay usd175 with used mentioned before the amount....

I'm in.

Hey guys,

I'm having an interview with Rotman very soon. Any tips for the interview?