Best U.S. schools for International Focus?

The only thing that could play against you is if you are a native speaker of the Wharton/Lauder track you intend to take. For example, I wasn't eligible for the Chinese track since both Chinese and English were my native languages. If your ability to speak/read/write in the target foreign language is on the same level as poetry then you can't apply to the program. Hopefully, that's not the case for you cause it's a really great and exciting program!

Hhahaha ARGH!!!! That is totally my case! I have native fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Although, I'd like to focus on Africa as well, so I may learn French since many of the countries are Francophone. There is also a lot of investment and economic activities between China and Africa, so I may want to see if I can get in on some of that action.

Danerd, did you apply already? Are you applying for Fall 2011 entry or Fall 2012?

I am also considering other European schools such as INSEAD, LBS, and Oxford.

The MPA would definitely not play against you, on the contrary it could be an advantage. Although I'm not sure if you can learn a language your way in to the program. I think you need to score at least an Advanced-Low on the OPI and not sure how easily that could be achieved in one year of language training. LBS and INSEAD are definitely good options. Although I'm not sure if I would go with Oxford over a top 10 US school. Just to give you some perspective, I wanted an international business focus as well and my first choice was Wharton/Lauder, my second choice was LBS or Booth, and my "back-up plan" if I didn't have any success with top schools in R1 and R2 was INSEAD for Jan 2012 entry. Although I'm somewhat skewed towards finance programs which impacted my choices as well. Booth also has some interesting options including an IMBA (International MBA) and some dual degree programs.

Thank you for your advice Staind. It's very helpful. Ideally, I'd like to work for a European firm that is trying to penetrate the Asia and Africa markets, or exploit (is this a bad word to use?) the recent economic activities between the two continents. Another side to this is, I'd love to be able to work in Europe as my serious bf is based there. I think my top 2 choices are Wharton and LBS, with a slight preference for LBS since I'd like to be in Europe, at least for the duration of my studies.

Are you applying for Fall 2011 entry now? Or waiting until Fall 2012?

any thoughts on Thunderbird?

I applied in R1 to both Wharton and LBS and was fortunate enough to get an admit at Wharton. I'm guessing you're applying this coming Fall? Its good that you're starting to think about schools right now.. trust me the months just fly by and before you know it the deadline is right in your face! I wanted to apply to 3-4 schools but I ended up spending so much time on the Wharton/Lauder application that I only managed to apply there and squeeze in a half hearted application to LBS despite starting with the application process in June.

Oh congratulations!!

Yes I am applying this coming fall. I hate to be rushed and have about 4 schools I want to apply to in Round 1. I am one of those insane planner people who love Excel spreadsheets, and I've already started one for my apps. But after browsing this forum some more, I am happy to find that I'm not alone! :D