Second MBA. First one from India.

Question

I have done my MBA in Finance from Indian University (1993-95). I worked in Finance Sector for 3 years and then switched to Software Profession. I played various technical and leadership roles in software and currently working as a Project Manager in USA.

I have completed MBA and my Bachelors in commerce in First Class (62%) from India. When we translate these into GPA, the score is not encouraging.

I am 36 now. I wanted to go for 1 year MBA. What are my chances of getting into good colleges? What is the best course of action now? Does my decade long experience help?

My first attempt in GMAT is 630 (Q47, V30). Currently working on verbal and aiming for 700+.

Raabend · Answer

It seems like everyone here agrees that already having an MBA would make it impossible to get into a US b-school. And your age will not work in your favor. To double-check, contact the schools you are interested in and ask them directly.

jallenmorris · Answer

As seen in other threads, the only thing you might have going for you is that your first MBA was not from a US school. It's worth checking out.

Can you explain why your current degree is insufficient for what you want to do? That might be something the school will consider. Just a thought.

vishy007 · Answer

Couple of explanations I did my previous degree about 1.5 decades ago. Business world has changed quite a bit since then . I feel, this is good enough to go for second MBA I have played predominant technical roles in my software career. I am into full time management for the last couple of years, thus need a world class MBA now. I don't know how strong these points are, but that is what I have at the moment.

Darden2010 · Answer

Have you considered an Executive MBA?

With your level of experience that might be more appropriate.

bhatiagp · Answer

Vishy, I would suggest work on your GMAT, and also explore Exec MBA options with all top ranked univs. A good GMAT score, and good work exp that you have should really take you through this, as you have a good work exp, and will definately have a good story to write.

There is a good option here called the trium, that comprises an MBA from 3 schools : LSE, NYU Stern and the HEC Paris.

On a full time MBA , try IMD, Insead, Judge, Said, and Cornell. They all offer 1 year one year programs. Most European MBA schools will offer you the 1 year option.

KingKREEP · Answer

Vishy, I personally know two people with Indian MBAs who went to pursue full-time degrees from top American B-Schools. One graduated from IIM-B and went on to become a Wharton alum and the other had a regular Indian MBA and went on to pursue his MBA from Chicago. So, there is definitely hope for you, even at full time programs. But do take this with a grain of salt as both people mentioned above had  stellar  stats - GMAT, work-ex, reccs. I mean  stellar .

To sum up, do your research, re-take the GMAT (if you are looking at top schools) and work your a$$ off on those essays.

P.S: To those of you who don't know - the IIMs don't award MBAs. They give you a P.G.D.M (Post Graduate Diploma is Management) which they say is  equivalent  to an MBA. So someone who went to an IIM and then went to a US School really has only one MBA in terms of the name of the degree. That's probably part of the reason US schools are open to such applicants...

kryzak · Answer

It's doable, but with your age, experience, and a previous MBA, I think an Exec MBA (some are 1 year) would make more sense.

vishy007 · Answer

Darden,

Yes, I did check about executive MBA. Not many people encouraged EMBA unless we have a very strong hope from the present employer. Further, doing EMBA could lock us to one industry, which we serve. These were the reasons for me to opt for Full Time than EMBA. In spite of having heavy opportunity cost doing full time, I am inclined towards Full Time. If nothing good works out in Full Time, I might go for EMBA as last option.

vishy007 · Answer

Bhatia,

This is the first time I am hearing about "Trium" can you please tell me more about it?

I am inclined towards Full time MBA than EMBA... however if the full time options are ruled out, I will go for EMBA.

vishy007 · Answer

I believe MBA brings with it a improvement in personality than just completing the course material. There is a quite a bit we gain in the campus apart from just completing theory part of it. This and other reasons I mentioned earlier are stopping me from considering EMBA actively as my first option. Yes! If I do not have a Full Time option, I will take it up.

Your corrections are welcome.

kryzak · Answer

I fully agree that the MBA experience is much more than just the theory, otherwise I would not have decided to do an MBA. I'm just commenting on the path ahead for someone with your profile. You got your work cut out for you, but it's still possible if you really go for it. Just have a backup plan in place, that's all I'm saying.

togafoot · Answer

Alternatively most European MBA's are 1 year or just over and they are full time too. One particularly good one for older applicants in the UK is Ashridge.

bhatiagp · Answer

Trium is an ExecMBA program that has three schools very well known schools involved in conferring the MBA degree :- LSE, HEC, and NYU Stern. It is an Executive MBA program, but they require atleast 10 years of work ex to qualify, with 5 years of Management work ex to qualify.

GMAT is needed for those who have less than 15 years of work exp.

It is a 16 month program.

The website for the same is :- https://www.triumemba.org

vishy007 · Answer

Thank you guys! I will concentrate on improving my GMAT Score hoping one of the full time colleges will click for me.

budablasta · Answer

Hi, reviving this thread instead of creating a new one on Double MBAs

https://m.economictimes.com/PDAET/articl ... 374519.cms

Here is an interesting article on the trend of Indians doing second MBAs - the first MBA from India at an age when one apparently didn't know what's best and the second MBA from the US or Europe at an age when one has several years of experience and has a better understanding of what one wants from life.

Second MBA. First one from India.

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