Well, this has been an interesting road to discovery. After sifting through a number of forums here, I decided that, based on multiple recommendations, I should take a closer look at the MBA programs out there and which would interest me the most. Two unexpected revelations:
1) I'm more certain than before that an MBA is what I want to pursue. This is a good thing, so I'm very glad I went through the process.
2) The more surprising revelation, and reason I'm posting this in this thread, is that my original list of schools has been replaced in its entirety.
So the reason I'm coming to all of you is to see if there are other schools out there that I should look into that are similar to these:
IMD
Warwick
Nyenrode
Cranfield
Cambridge
Some potential candidates that are on the maybe list are:
EDHEC
Erasmus
The schools that have been almost definitely booted are:
HEC Paris
University College Dublin
SDA Bocconi
Imperial College
St. Gallen
I'm still sorting out in my head what the ideal program would have, but here are some thoughts:
I don't want a program that's heavily focused on entrepreneurship, finance, or consulting.
I like the schools that have more unique programs. Like the For Beyond Profit concentration at Cambridge, the International Leadership focus area at Nyenrode, or the Social Responsibility focus at IMD.
I also appreciate the schools that have an interesting project that either takes you international (3 international trips at Nyenrode or 1-month trip at IMD) or really makes you think and work outside the box (start-up project at IMD or the management consultancy project at Warwick).
I'm open to any thoughts or suggestions...thanks!