LBS vs INSEAD

Question

Some factors to consider:
- I am comfortable both with a one year or two year MBA
- Looking to work in India or UK post MBA
- Focus on entrepreneurship 
- Highly successful alumni
- Reputation and brand value
- Long term career prospects
- Current Age: 29
- Past experience: entrepreneurship (successful exit)

ukhanna · Answer

Have two answers so far one for INSEAD and one for LBS? Any INSEAD or LBS alumni here? Any other suggestions?

mgg234 · Answer

I think you really need top describe your career goals more, but if you want to work in UK/India, LBS is the obvious choice. Plus, it'll give you more time to develop your network/business ideas since its 2 years long. I think the only reason really to pick INSEAD over LBS is if you're in consulting or you prefer a 1 year program.

ukhanna · Answer

Long term - looking to move back to India and start a venture there. My wife is also applying with me who is looking for a career in Development Finance or Impact Investing..

My career preferences:
1) Entrepreneurship - new venture
2) Venture Capital

My background: 
- Maths Hons Premier Top Indian college
- 720 (V 84%, Q 83%)
- First overseas (UK) undergrad placement from my Uni. 
- Quit in a year to co-found a recruitment and education consultancy in UK
- Bought an education company in 2009 in UK
- Expanded and opened subsidiary in Central Asia

My wife's career preference:
1) Development Finance
2) Impact Investing 
3) Private Equity
4) Govt.

Wife background:
- GMAT 750
- Maths Hons top 3 in class
- PGDBM from top Indian B school
- 4 yrs in an I-Bank
- Joined me in businesses last year

Thanks a lot.

mgg234 · Answer

LBS is better than INSEAD when it comes to finance, so I think LBS is the easy choice for you.

nath99 · Answer

Disclaimer: I am INSEAD alum in EU McK

LBS is great if you want to go for i-banking, insurance and other areas in financial services. I have spent fair bit of time in London working and LBS is strong there but any other industries the INSEAD network is much stronger in Europe. Also Insead is very strong in start-up scene and PE. I know that almost 10% of my class started their own ventures right away and many after couple of years. Also one of the best know profs in PE is from INSEAD and has moved to Singy campus. She is extremely well connected in the industry in Asia and especially India.

One thing people miss in this whole debate is that places like McK have 25% churn rate and where do those leaving end up?? in corp jobs or PE firms so the network is way more stronger. It is not like you go to MBB for life, usually it is for few years and then you head back to industry.

Given that your wife has i-banking network already, I think INSEAD would add another dimension and a different network rather than few more people in same banking industry.

nath99

ukhanna · Answer

Thanks nath99. I have decided to go for INSEAD... However had a few doubts and concerns that I wanted your opinion on...

- After speaking to a few alums, all of them mention that INSEAD was an amazing experience and they had a great time and they would do it again if they had the choice; however none really highlighted that impact the MBA had on their careers.. (for ex. people going to HSW really talk about it as a life changing experience professionally). Is there a reason for this?

- Some also complained of the dilution in the brand with such a large intake..how does the alum feel about it..? Is it a temporary issue until INSEAD fully settles in with the high intake and attract more high quality applicants?

Thanks a lot!

LBS vs INSEAD

London Business School (LBS) or INSEAD

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