I overheard a few adcom people chatting at the QS MBA World Tour in Frankfurt. One, (a non-American) stated that applications to US schools from international applicants were down again this year. From what I've read, if true, that would be a continuation of a trend that started in 2003 or so. Can anybody confirm? Given the strength of the Euro, US MBA programs are as cheap as they have ever been for Europeans. The only thing that I think would keep international applicants away is a distaste for the current political situation in the US (news flash: people don't like Bush and that opinion seeps into areas where it doesn't really belong).

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Has there been a drop in int'l apps to US schools?

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aurobindo

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07 Nov 2007, 02:04

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mNeo

ashish.mahendra

So, those that cannot get into these schools automatically look elsewhere to get an MBA.

I disagree. Most of Indians at GMATClub are applying to other B-schools for reasons other than the difficulty of getting into the IIMs. :roll:

In fact, considering that all the top US schools select only a handful of Indians (Thanks to the diversity requirements), I would say that it is as difficult to get into a Kellogg (Say) as it is to get into a top IIM.

I am with mNeo on that. I have worked with IIM grads, and I am working under one. At the risk of offending them, I would say that IIMs don't really cater to students who are looking for international careers. I don't think IIMs are famous for diversity. If we look at the sheer quality of applicants to Ultra elites, we can feel that it is definitely tougher to get into any Ultra-elite than into IIMs. I also believe that MBA experience at all the Ultra elites and even some elites is more rewarding than at IIMs.

IMHO, IIMs just look for young studs, who are extremely competitive.

hbs.aspirant

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07 Nov 2007, 07:40

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filmcity

Sorry to jump in, but IMHO we are just moving away from the crux of the discussion in order to console our egos...

I agree, there is no reason to to compare the selectivity of IIMs with Top US B-Schools because quality , not quantity of competition matters.

But that was an aside of the discussion. What Ashish wanted to establish were some reasons why more and more Indians are trying to get US MBA. And his logics on easy availabbility of loan and growing Indian middle class, non availability of quality education etc., are just apt.

"BTW, statements like "I've been there dude" never impress your audience"..sure! neither does statements like "many of us who have been out of India for past 6 months can get into IIM comparatively easily".

if someone wants to "teach.. humility" , then please teach everyone who needs it regardless of one's affinity to the teachers thought. :lol:

leaders need to be consistent at judgement.
:-D

I apologize if I sounded rude. What I meant by "Easily" was that we do not have to appear for CAT by the rules (they accept GMAT if you have been out of India from July to December). and get advantage of current international experience.
For me it is "comparatively" much easier there because I literally do not have anyone to write good recos (Desi Consulting, for those of you who know what I mean).