Guys, Here is transcript of the recentlive chat AIM Admission Director, Andy Chen, and Current student, Sandeep Waghmare.
How AIM’s MBA program is supportive for career changers especially from IT to Finance?AIM_Andy: Many MBA students are pursuing career transitions. We have a very strong Finance program at AIM. Students work with our Career Services team, program staff, and faculty, to facilitate these transitions.
I would like to transition in to Investment banking. Can you name a few top I banking firms that recruit at AIM?AIM_Andy: Manila isn't really a hub for investment banking. In the region, that would be Hong Kong, Singapore, and Shanghai. That being said, we have a close relationship with Citi, with a number of our students joining their management associate program each year.
AIM_Sandeep: To add on to Andy's answer on IBanks, Philippines and especially Manila, is growing rapidly in its startup culture. We, as students, work very closely with startups helping them in designing their BPlans, and pitches. Plus, we ourselves pitch in a lot of competitions. I myself am part of a team that will participate in a VC competition in Singapore due in March. This said, the culture in Philippines is more of Angel Funding, mostly done by rich families here. The sector is bit unorganized. But then, we have a lot of people who are from IBanking, and looking for the career post MBA; So that transition shouldn't be much of hassle.
Objective information such as GPA and GMAT scores provide easy comparative material from one applicant to another. What are some concrete elements that separate applicants in the more subjective essay, letters of recommendation, interviews, etc?AIM_Andy: It's hard to provide a direct answer to your question. We look at an entire candidate's profile. Each component helps us assess different areas. For example, the CV and rec letters help me assess employability. The GMAT and transcripts help assess academic readiness.
What percentage of student body is International? and how diversity influence on candidate choice? Does the nationality have advantage of others?AIM_Andy: We look at diversity in many ways - cultural background, professional background, educational background, etc. We're trying to form the best class, given our applicant pool.
What financial aid is available to students who can’t pay the full tuition? Do you have collaboration with banks or education loan providers such as Prodigy Finance for those who want to take education loan?AIM_Andy: A number of partial to full scholarships are available, with around 40-50% of students receiving scholarship awards. In my opinion, tuition is actually quite reasonable, when compared to other top schools worldwide, and within the region.
What is the average total expenditure of a typical MBA student during the entire course (including tuition, accommodations, study material, study tours, other travelling etc.)AIM_Andy: Total program cost is just under USD$40,000.
Thanks Andy! So is it safe to assume that average MBA expenditure of an MBA student will be in the range of $50K - $70KAIM_Andy: I think it'll be around $50k.
Sandeep, How you managed your MBA funding. Solely from your savings or you took loan from any banks?AIM_Sandeep: I received some scholarship, and rest I took loan from Credila. AIM has partnership with Credila in place. My personal experience on AIM is here -
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-i-fi ... =prof-postAndy, Tell us 3 important characteristics that you want to see in your applicants.AIM_Andy: Most importantly, I'm looking for good mutual fit, between the school and applicant. As the program is doing it's due diligence on a student, via the admissions process, the applicant should also be researching the program to ensure good fit. I like to break down an applicant’s profile into three main components: 1. academic readiness; 2. employability; 3. fit.
Chat TranscriptAttachment: