All about Richard Ivey

Question

As much as I am inclined to Ivey 1 year intensive MBA program, for my research details I gathered, as below, I also have some unexplored fronts which needs specific and further detailing.

Going past the admission criteria, which reveals an average GMAT score of 713 and above added to strong GPA of 3.31, this school is rated highly in Canada for valid reasons as below:

1. Its curriculum is mostly CASE STUDY focused, unusually high and unique. 
2. Also it focuses on CROSS ENTERPRISE LEADERSHIP - very effective approach well tailored in 1 year curriculum
3. Course is of 1 year - most suited for people like me, who does not fall in the usual age and experience requirement column of MBA applicants
4. Its ALUMNI networking outperforms most Canadian business schools - (not sure about top US schools) 
5. Its class size varies between 130 - 165, comparatively smaller (Queen's is least) - something of importance to me
6. On an average about 59% students get scholarships - very important for me, since I have to self fund my education
7. London, from what I found, is comparatively cheaper in terms of expenses, unlike Toronto (I am also considering UT for application)
8. Very strong in IBanking/Consulting - following employment reports, almost 25% accounts for Financial and Consulting placements
9. Lead areas of specialization, Entrepreneurship, General Management, Leadership and Finance (here is a catch, as per reports, UT has outperformed UWO in many areas, Strategy I mention in particular)
10. Career Management - very focused group that is in action right from the beginning (of all things, I must also aim for good placement)
11. Opportunity cost works out well (at least for me)
 12. Scholarships vary between 10% - 50% averaging close to 30% of tuition fees annual. Though instances of full scholarships are there, very rare.

Counter to above, some facts which itches me are:

1. Well knit 1 year program, no internship - will this affect my networking 
2. Toronto - still remains the business hub
3. The ranking, I referred to many, FT is of importance here, has slipped over past 2-3 years (major) - reasons attributing to these?
4. Canadian rating has also slipped
5. International B school rating has also slipped
6. Travel/ Leisure/ Hospitality overall placements - worldwide accounts for 1 % or less, it will affect me directly

As much as RATING is not the only criteria to decide on Business School, yet it is of interest and importance to know underlying reasons.

All comments are welcome....

Sources: FT, Businessweek, QS, School website

Ducksworth · Answer

I agree with everything. I would just add three more cons:
  London is a very small place to live, which might matter for people with spouses who need to find a job. 
 Post graduation visas for a 1-year programme are not as good as those coming out of 2-year programmes. 
 Nobody outside Canada has heard of Western Ontario.

bb · Answer

I would slightly disagree with Ivey's reputation (slightly). They do produce finance cases (very strong and good for case studies but I understand few schools license them). I can't recollect how I have heard of them prior to my MBA but I have known of Ivey.

Posted from my mobile device.

Posted from my mobile device.

gurpreetsingh · Answer

Unless you intend to stay and work in Canada, there is no point of considering Ivey over other Bschools.

If you want only 1 year programs, look in Europe and Asia. Some of the european and Asian schools are far better than Ivey.

sdas · Answer

I am a Canadian PR, so priority to Canadian Schools. Having said that, I will try some US schools too.

BB: Ivey's reputation with Cases, while liaising with some Cornell alumni, they spoke high on finance cases, so yes I believe they do well in that area.

Ducksworth, valid cons.

Major look out: Canadian schools outperforming Ivey is bothering. Other than length of program, not much validating the same. Placement success is good though. Other thing is career beyond Canada....recognition

To add to these, does Ivey provide exact Career management access to PT students as well or only for FT MBA?

AbhiJ · Answer

No school in Canada has an average GMAT of over 700. Richard Ivey's average GMAT is 670.
Having said that Ivey is a solid school at par with Queen's and Rotman.

https://www.ivey.uwo.ca/alumni/invest-in ... neral.html

sdas · Answer

Abhi, can you elaborate what are your comparative bases for Queens and Rottman, particularly I am trying to find out the ranking drop. Few years back, Ivey outperformed every other Canadian schools major....in canada and also worldwide ratings, if you have been following ratings. Last 2 years, it has taken a dip I notice, not that ranking is the only criteria to judge, but I see an anomaly. No B school in Canada matches Ivey's placement records, despite of being 1 year program, but its ranking is slipping. this year's was a shocker at 78, with not much explained from the Dean.

sdas · Answer

I cant apply R1 for Ivey. Due to PR card issue (will get it 1 week later than R1 date), can only apply R2. Is that of any consequence to applying financial aids?

AbhiJ · Answer

In Canada they have rolling admissions. I think if you submit after 1-2 week after Round 1 deadline, they would still consider you for R1. Best would be to communicate to Ivey Admission Committee members about your situation. I think they will encourage you to apply as early as possible, regardless of your VISA status. If some can India can apply at any time, I don't see how being in Canada can be to your disadvantage.

sdas · Answer

It is not a disadvantage. You see PR holders will be eligible for many Canadian financial aids, which are different than international student. I asked the same to Chris Asper, who says I have to apply as international applicant in case I land in Canada a week later than R1 application....About rolling admission, who can confirm?Cause Chris never mentioned any

AbhiJ · Answer

Did you ask Chris whether you will be considered for Round 2 in case you apply 1 week after Round 1.Rotman said that if you submit 1 week after deadlines you will not be considered for later round. They will start reading your application once they receive the materials. Same happens for Queens/Schulich. The most important thing is to get a good GMAT score at this point in time. Once you get the score Round 1 or Round 2 will not make much of a difference.

sdas · Answer

I have listed few more queries to be directed to Chris, lets hope for the best. Please share opinions on - is it fine to disclose about 2 years post graduate diploma in business administration (distance learning, thus completed in 4 years instead of 2 years)? I am just worried, how will the committee react to this added education and then again apply for MBA full time...any leads please help

AbhiJ · Answer

Some Admission Consultants may be able to weigh better on this. Having said that your degree is not going to be a disadvantage as its a distance learning course and shows your interest. You can say that you had interest that's why you took the distance learning program and build your foundations before pursuing a Case Method based 1 year full time degree to maximize your learning.

Do you have any idea as to how Ivey fares for Career Changers.

Do you have any idea as to how Ivey fares for Career Changers.

sdas · Answer

Good news, got confirmation from Asper regarding rolling admission, I can apply R1 which makes me eligible for fin aids. Any leads of reference letters.....will like to have a lengthy chat with my referees explaining them, before asking for reference.

And many thanks Abhi, I have indeed directed my question to some experts, waiting for advise

And many thanks Abhi, I have indeed directed my question to some experts, waiting for advise

GyanOne · Answer

Richard Ivey MBA Admissions Team's Interview with GyanOne

While applicants to top US B-schools often look at the Ivy League, those looking at Canada instead compare with the “Ivey League”. The “Ivey League”, as we at GyanOne call it, is the group of top Canadian B-schools, which includes (and gets its name from) the Richard Ivey School of Business. As noted in an earlier post, Ivey is one of Canada’s best B-schools, and is noted for its excellent focus on learning, its 12-month duration, and the high salaries that its graduates command in Canada and even outside. GyanOne caught up with Greg Yantz, Director, MBA Recruiting and Admissions at Ivey Business School (University of Western Ontario), to get his views on the school, admissions and financial aid, and post-MBA careers for Ivey students and graduates. Thanks Greg, for your time and patience, and for your excellent perspectives that will help applicants evaluate the Ivey MBA better.

The school and the program
 GyanOne:  The Richard Ivey MBA has been growing in leaps and bounds, and its students currently enjoy the enviable position of being Canada’s highest-paid B-school graduates (source: Financial Times MBA Ranking 2013). What are the key parameters for which top students choose Ivey over other options in Canada and the US?

Greg Yantz, Ivey MBA Admissions Team:  There are 5 distinguishing characteristics of the Ivey MBA, which are exciting opportunities for individuals who are considering where to pursue an MBA and which attract students to Ivey:

1) Experiential learning, or “learning-by-doing” that makes use of the Ivey Case-Method;

2) Who Ivey students learn with, namely the high quality of classmates who have a diversity of work experiences to share with the class;

3) What is learned, meaning the important practice of decision making on a daily basis and the overall leadership essentials that Ivey teaches;

4) Access to the global network of Ivey alumni; and 5) the importance of Ivey Career Management where the mandate is to provide the tools and resources necessary to navigate one’s career well into the future.

GyanOne:  The case method of instruction is Ivey’s hallmark. Yet, many feel that a learning methodology that is entirely case-based will not be as effective as others that involve a mix of other methods. How true or false is this notion?

Greg Yantz, Ivey MBA Admissions Team: Ivey MBA classes use much more than just cases; we make use of textbooks, journal articles, simulations, and other types of learning materials. But cases are a focus of our philosophy of teaching and learning, and we are one of just four truly case-method schools in the world. Using over 300 cases during the program allows students a hands-on, decision-based approach to problem-solving; not only understanding or thinking about a problem, but actually practising how to solve it. Ivey Case-Method is a collision of theory and practice and is part of individual, small team, and classroom learning at Ivey

Richard Ivey MBA Admissions

srijanbhattacharya · Answer

I am an MBA Candidate 2016 at Ivey and having seen things first hand would like to vouch for the quality that Ivey has. The network is undoubtedly the strongest/most generous in Canada. Most employers consider Ivey's grads over Schulich, Rotman and Queen's. I have seen the rate at which the 2015's have got placed and placements have never been a concern for Ivey grads. If you were to see Bloomberg's recent rating it is ranked no 1. You might also want to consider this: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015- ... ls-report/

I would like ppl. to make note of the fact that analytics and leadership courses really are as good as the top 5 schools in the US, if not better. The reason why FT ranks Ivey lowers is the undue weightage it gives to academic research, this is something that would affect you as a student. Another criteria that FT uses is - %increase in salary. It is much easier to get 400 students to the school, 100 students from India, and show a net increase of 300%.

But Ivey isnt for everybody. If you arent highly competitive and you like to take things as they come along you might just not fit the culture at Ivey. I recommend talking to atleast 3-4 current students/Ivey alumni before you make a decision on weather Ivey is good fit for you.

bb · Answer

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