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Should I Leave My $100K Salary in UAE for a Full-Time MBA at Olin with 20 Apr 2025, 11:39
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Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing a major decision and would truly appreciate insights from this knowledgeable community.
I have recently been admitted to the Full-Time MBA program at Olin Business School (Washington University in St. Louis) with a $50,000 merit scholarship. It's a solid offer from a respected program that emphasizes values-based, data-driven leadership with global exposure.

My background:
  • I am based in Dubai, UAE, and currently working as an Assistant Finance Controller in a multinational (a Fortune 100 company).
  • My current annual salary is ~$100,000 USD (tax-free).
  • I have over 14 years of experience in finance and accounting and hold an ACCA qualification and a degree from Oxford Brookes University.
  • I am 35 years old and married, with three young children.
The dilemma: While my current role is financially stable, I feel that career growth and progression opportunities in the UAE are limited, especially for someone looking to break into strategic leadership or more global finance roles. I'm considering the MBA as a way to pivot into higher-level leadership roles, ideally in the U.S. or within a globally mobile career path.

However, the opportunity cost is significant—I'd be giving up a six-figure salary, covering two years of living and education expenses in the U.S., and entering a job market where visa and sponsorship uncertainties also play a role.

My questions to the community:

  1. Given my background, age, and current compensation, does pursuing a full-time MBA at this stage make strategic sense?
  2. Is Olin’s MBA worth the opportunity cost when compared to staying in the Gulf?
  3. Can this investment position me better for U.S.-based finance leadership roles or internationally mobile executive roles?
I’d love to hear from anyone who’s made a similar transition or has knowledge of the post-MBA landscape for experienced professionals like me.

Thanks in advance!

—Tanzeel
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Should I Leave My $100K Salary in UAE for a Full-Time MBA at Olin with 20 Apr 2025, 15:35
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Hi. Congrats on your admits! This is a great result and you have had a great career!

Getting 100K tax free is like getting $150K in the US.
Googling cost of living, in general Google says 20% cheaper to be in Dubai, so that's like $180K in the US now... which is likely will be close to your starting salary in the US, and perhaps it may be a bit less, depending on what role and what space you enter. (more below)

First, play around with the ROI calculator: https://gmatclub.com/forum/mba-roi-calc ... 43843.html

Second, is your family moving with you?

Third, do you have brands on your resume that are strong? E.g. well known international brands? If not, recruiting in the US will be tricky, esp with someone with your experience, looking for positions will need to be a networked situation. Check this story about some of the expectations you should have: https://gmatclub.com/forum/mba-after-30 ... 00397.html

-BB
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Should I Leave My $100K Salary in UAE for a Full-Time MBA at Olin with 21 Apr 2025, 01:12
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Hi BB,

Thank you for your reply .

No my family will not move with me if i plan to go ahead i will send them to Pakistan and they will live their until i will find job in US.

Secondly i have spent four years in KPMG and currently for past 6 years i am working for Caterpillar INC.

Apart from that i have four years experience in local groups in UAE.

bb
Hi. Congrats on your admits! This is a great result and you have had a great career!

Getting 100K tax free is like getting $150K in the US.
Googling cost of living, in general Google says 20% cheaper to be in Dubai, so that's like $180K in the US now... which is likely will be close to your starting salary in the US, and perhaps it may be a bit less, depending on what role and what space you enter. (more below)

First, play around with the ROI calculator: https://gmatclub.com/forum/mba-roi-calc ... 43843.html

Second, is your family moving with you?

Third, do you have brands on your resume that are strong? E.g. well known international brands? If not, recruiting in the US will be tricky, esp with someone with your experience, looking for positions will need to be a networked situation. Check this story about some of the expectations you should have: https://gmatclub.com/forum/mba-after-30 ... 00397.html

-BB
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