Rotman($) vs Kelley($), a unique case I guess : Admitted

sebo08 · 2020-03-26T15:04:03-07:00

So I am stuck in between Rotman and Kelley with so many factors to consider 1- Kelley offers four times more scholarship, overall I should pay 20K USD more to Rotman. 2- I plan to pivot to Strategy Consulting, my work experience is 10years in General Management in Manufacturing and Engineering in Iran in our family business (not world-renowned obviously) 3- I am an Iranian citizen, this comes with lots of complications about US student Visa. It might take from a month up to a year for a US visa to be issued, but a Canadian visa is issued in a month. 4- My wife can work in Canada while I study but she cannot in the US. 5- It is much easier to get a PR in Canada vs US Green Card, considering the fact that the US policy is very strict when it comes to Iranians. 6- I cannot seen to find a private loan agency in the US who accepts Iranian citizens, in Canada I guess I can. I do have the money to fund my first year in Kelley, and will need a strong GA position and well-paid internship and a loan to survive my second year. In the case of Rotman, it gets even worse since an extra 25k is needed, but the loan option is enabled there. 7- Rotman's ROI is weaker than Kelley's. What do you suggest?

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26 Mar 2020, 19:40

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If you want to work in strategy consulting, Rotman is better than Kelley.
Yes, you’ll make less $ (because salaries are generally lower in Canada), but you’ll reach your career goal.

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sebo08

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27 Mar 2020, 01:45

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bb

Congrats on your admit!

Does Prodigy Finance offer loans for Iranian Citizens?
(Is GMAT Club avaialble in Iran or do you have to VPN?)

Unfortunately not, I already contacted them. I guess there is a slight chance I can finance my first year by myself and get a loan for my second year, but no news yet, I will update as soon as I get the response from Prodigy Finance.

I use VPN to connect to GMATClub. crazy I know!

sebo08

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27 Mar 2020, 02:15

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bb

Canada is always weaker than the US in terms of the comp for the MBA grads. However, the fact that your spouse can work and help support you as well as healthcare availability just in case and easier immigration policies do make it attractive.

I think with all the Visa and process challenges, it may be suicidal to try to make it to Kelley unfortunately. Also the fact that you do not have a brand on your resume and with 10 years of work experience, will make the Kelley on-campus recruiting tougher as it is designed for a bit younger group. On the other hand, Canada will appreciate your longer work experience potentially. But this all depends on what you are planning/wanting to do after you graduate. What are you goals?

This is insightful. I am 32, and my goal after graduation is to work as a Management/Strategy Consultant in Deloitte, EY, PWC. I Will also aim for MBB but I do not rely on that part because of my less attractive background. On the longterm (10 years), I plan to start my own consulting group with a referral-based niche customer base. So it gets more into entrepreneurship after a while for me.

sebo08

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27 Mar 2020, 04:09

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JohnJohnJ

If you want to work in strategy consulting, Rotman is better than Kelley.
Yes, you’ll make less $ (because salaries are generally lower in Canada), but you’ll reach your career goal.

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What do you think about the opportunities Canada will not be able to offer compared to the US?

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27 Mar 2020, 10:38

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I have noticed that a lot of team members fly between US and Canada on projects. I did a project in Connecticut where one of the team member would do Toronto - New York

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sebo08

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28 Mar 2020, 01:41

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sebo08

bb

Canada is always weaker than the US in terms of the comp for the MBA grads. However, the fact that your spouse can work and help support you as well as healthcare availability just in case and easier immigration policies do make it attractive.

I think with all the Visa and process challenges, it may be suicidal to try to make it to Kelley unfortunately. Also the fact that you do not have a brand on your resume and with 10 years of work experience, will make the Kelley on-campus recruiting tougher as it is designed for a bit younger group. On the other hand, Canada will appreciate your longer work experience potentially. But this all depends on what you are planning/wanting to do after you graduate. What are you goals?

This is insightful. I am 32, and my goal after graduation is to work as a Management/Strategy Consultant in Deloitte, EY, PWC. I Will also aim for MBB but I do not rely on that part because of my less attractive background. On the longterm (10 years), I plan to start my own consulting group with a referral-based niche customer base. So it gets more into entrepreneurship after a while for me.

bb your input will be very valuable, thanks

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28 Mar 2020, 19:16

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Hi sebo08,

Here's my two cents,

1) Kelley has a great program but unfortunately when it comes to consulting recruiting for International, starting this year, except for EY no other companies are recruiting internationals. Also, EY only recruits for its Performance Improvement division that too for Supply Chain, Finance, PM, and Customer roles. So if a Strategy consulting career is non-negotiable for you, it will be extremely difficult to pull that off at Kelley.
2) You are on the right track thinking about long-term in terms of PR/Green Card issues, partner's ability to work, etc.
Think of overall in pocket cost of MBA to you. An earning partner is a great positive.

Let me know if you have any Kelley-specific questions.

sebo08

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WE:General Management (Manufacturing)

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04 Apr 2020, 23:11

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mihir0710

Hi sebo08,

Here's my two cents,

1) Kelley has a great program but unfortunately when it comes to consulting recruiting for International, starting this year, except for EY no other companies are recruiting internationals. Also, EY only recruits for its Performance Improvement division that too for Supply Chain, Finance, PM, and Customer roles. So if a Strategy consulting career is non-negotiable for you, it will be extremely difficult to pull that off at Kelley.
2) You are on the right track thinking about long-term in terms of PR/Green Card issues, partner's ability to work, etc.
Think of overall in pocket cost of MBA to you. An earning partner is a great positive.

Let me know if you have any Kelley-specific questions.

mihir0710 thanks for the input. I was wondering what career options do you think are most promising at Kelley which will secure a good job? Actually I think it is best to change my career goals to somehow fit Kelley, since funding the Rotman expenses and its weaker ROI are impossible to solve. As it turns out, for me private loans are also unavailable in Canada without a cosigner.

sebo08

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Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Schools: Kelley '22 (A$) Rotman '22 (A$) Johnson '22 (A)

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GPA: 3.1

WE:General Management (Manufacturing)

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04 Apr 2020, 23:14

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sebo08

bb

Congrats on your admit!

Does Prodigy Finance offer loans for Iranian Citizens?
(Is GMAT Club avaialble in Iran or do you have to VPN?)

Unfortunately not, I already contacted them. I guess there is a slight chance I can finance my first year by myself and get a loan for my second year, but no news yet, I will update as soon as I get the response from Prodigy Finance.

I use VPN to connect to GMATClub. crazy I know!

bb FYI, not possible to get a loan from prodigy finance even for the second year.

bb

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05 Apr 2020, 19:03

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Hi. Interesting turn with Rotman... You are in a bit of a unique situation since so few options for finding are available. I am sure Kelley adcom is swamped right now with other issues but it may be a perfect time to send a nice email to ask a friendly officer is there may be any GA position available and give them the exact lay of the land for your budget and if they could help you with a job. You are trying to get it for free....

As to the visa, I would worry about it one step at a time... I know it may be an issue.

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sebo08

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Location: Iran (Islamic Republic of)

Schools: Kelley '22 (A$) Rotman '22 (A$) Johnson '22 (A)

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31 Verified score

GPA: 3.1

WE:General Management (Manufacturing)

Schools: Kelley '22 (A$) Rotman '22 (A$) Johnson '22 (A)

GMAT 1: 680 Q50 V31 Verified score

Posts: 76

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06 Apr 2020, 06:39

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bb

Hi. Interesting turn with Rotman... You are in a bit of a unique situation since so few options for finding are available. I am sure Kelley adcom is swamped right now with other issues but it may be a perfect time to send a nice email to ask a friendly officer is there may be any GA position available and give them the exact lay of the land for your budget and if they could help you with a job. You are trying to get it for free....

As to the visa, I would worry about it one step at a time... I know it may be an issue.

Posted from my mobile device

I did it a few days ago, at Kelley GA is unavailable until the 2nd semester. they offer positions only after the students have experienced the program rigor and decided to get a GA then, which seems logical. I should work on it throughout the semester.
the visa is getting funny though

Since I should travel to another country to enter embassies of either Canada or USA, this COVID-19 issue is gradually imposing a deferral decision on me. Does anyone know what will happen if I am late because of the visa? do they accept to deferral?

Rotman($) vs Kelley($), a unique case I guess

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