Re: Best School For Management
[#permalink]
12 Jul 2007, 07:12
OK, I would just like to hear the arguments regarding each school and their training of students for management careers. The ones that I am looking at for my "dream schools" are these, but I can't decide which ones are better.... any opinions or information about these schools would be greatly appreciated.
Harvard Business School
U of Penn - Wharton
IMD
INSEAD
London Business School
Here are some questions/concerns:
1. One thing that worries me is the whole "one-year program." I know it is cheaper and will get you back to work faster, but do you really learn as much as you would at a 2-year program like HBS?
If you are a career switcher, a two year program will give you a chance to intern in your post-mba field which usually leads to a job offer. Also, if you have a non-business background it will give you more time to absorb the core content and later take electives in fields that you want to. Of course, you will get 2 years to take risks in a controlled environment and get more time to know your classmates who will form the nucleus of your network for the next 3-5 years.
2. I know IMD has a huge focus on Management, but is it better than say, Harvard, who pretty much dominates that category in the U.S.?
Harvard is Harvard. IMD is good but a very small program which seems to be geared towards middle managers. Are you in middel management or a successful entrepreneuer? Then this may be right program program for you and also a slew of executive MBAs. You network will be smaller (not necessarily weaker) out of smaller programs.
3. Would a school in Europe provide more opportunity, since you would be likely to see recruits from the U.S. and Abroad, whereas it seems like U.S. schools are more focused on U.S. placement? Maybe I am wrong.
Most companies recruit at European schools recruit for Europe and Asia to an extent. At least, that's what my friends at INSEAD and LBS told me. If you don't know a European language, it may be difficult to find post-mba employment. It is hard to find jobs in London because a lot of people even from ultra-elite US schools also want to work there. If you go to LBS, things will be simpler and you can network you way in to a job in London.
4. And finally, unrelated, but out of curiosity, what is the consensus on having a Ph.D or J.D. when applying to B-School? Does it help a lot, a little, or not at all? What about when it comes to employment? And, would a Ph.D. or a J.D. be more applicable or favorable than the other?
May or may not help. If you have a Ph.D in material science and want to work for nano-technology startups it may be a positive. If you want to work in investment banking, it is negative or neutral at best. I don't advanced degrees help too much while applying to schools. In my experience, you have to explain your careers choices that much more. It is pain in the ass to do that.
Thanks in advance!