Rotman MBA vs. Schulich IMBA
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28 Dec 2010, 01:01
I am trying to decide between two MBA programs in Canada: the Rotman MBA and Schulich's IMBA (International MBA). I have have a background in finance, and I have worked full-time in a finance/accounting related position for two years. Since this is the extent of my work experience, I feel it is too early to state definitively what I plan to pursue after my MBA. I am attracted to the idea of working in management consulting/strategic management. I am interested in business ethics and sustainability issues, as well as topics relating to micro-finance, social entrepreneurship, and BOP marketing. As I mentioned, I have a background in finance, so I'd like to leave the banking options open as well, if possible.
Schulich's IMBA requires students to specialize in a global trading zone, learn a language used in that zone, and partake in a short term (3 month) project with an organization operating out of that zone. There are 40 students in the IMBA program, and the application for the IMBA is separate from that of the regular MBA (although I don't imagine they are very different). I don't think there is anything in particular that needs to be mentioned about the Rotman MBA. Both Rotman and Schulich allow students to partake in an optional exchange.
Here are my concerns:
-Is an IMBA perceived as something distinct from an MBA?
I just want to confirm that both hold the same value and are viewed equally in the corporate world.
-How does class size affect the quality of learning, networking, group projects, etc?
I'm wondering whether a class size of 40 (in the IMBA program) is preferable to a larger class size (in the regular MBA program), and what the advantages/disadvantages of both large and small class sizes are.
-Schulich vs. Rotman?
I've read in many places (including on this forum) that school reputation is an important factor when selecting a school. I would really appreciate any insight on the topic of reputation from people who are familiar with these two schools. From what I know and from what the rankings show, Schulich and Rotman are two of Canada's top business schools; what about global recognition and international employment scope - can anyone offer insight regarding whether one is better than the other? Are rankings the only way to assess this? At the end of the day, I'll go with the program that best caters to my goals and objectives post-graduation, but it's nice to know you're attending a school that is globally recognized and respected.