MBA - US or India

Question

What is the current scene for Indian Students studying in (M7 +Next 8) Business Schools in US?Are they able to get good jobs after MBA ?How much role does VISA sponsoring play in final FT Recruiting for Indians there who doesn't have work permit/green card ?Is the competition tough for foreign graduates (~around 40% of the class I guess ) as the firms may have limited quota for foreign students.

I am planning on my MBA and I was shortlisting schools .I would like to know your honest opinion on this.Is it worth taking 100k + loan and apply to US MBA schools.I don't have that kind of money but I am willing to take risk if it really worth

Or

Should I get the best MBA (IIMABC/ISB) from India and get into those dream companies and work hard and get cross office transfer to US/UK/Singapore/Europe later on.The breath of good companies recruiting here would be small comparatively

imaProfessor · Answer

I think you've got to ask yourself why you are thinking of going to the US to get an MBA. Is it because you want to experience a different culture? A new style of learning? Broaden your horizon? Get out of your comfort zone? Add prestige (assuming you get into an elite program) to your resume? Or get the chance to meet an American girl and start a family there? There are many Indian b-schools (e.g IIM) that are fast gaining global recognition and many MNCs are relocating their operations to Asia, esp with the ongoing recession in Europe and persistent anaemic growth in the US. And if you are able to get into a good Indian b-school (don't assume you can get in, as there are many other non-Indians who are also looking to apply to an Indian b-school), you should be able to get into a good organization and from there, gain the opportunity to work cross-border and globally. Many MNCs believe in posting their talented staff to overseas operations for good reasons.

It's extremely costly to study at an American b-school with tuition fees appreciating by 5 - 7% per annum. If you are not able to get a scholarship to help defray the costs, you will graduate with the burden of having to find a well-paying job (which may not be in line with your ultimate career goals and personal interests) to pay off those 100k debts with interests. It's a choice you have to make yourself.

My advice would be to apply to both Indian and US b-schools. Time your app such that you will get a decision from all schools at around the same time. Don't get overcome by the euphoria of being admitted to a good US/Indian b-school. Be pragmatic, rational and honest in your application and your assessment (when the offers come in). Unless those are Harvard / Wharton / Stanford, you should not pop the champagne too early.

Hope this piece of advice is useful. I am writing from the experience of having gone through the admissions process 3x and will be matriculating at a not-so-highly ranked school in the US. International too. I struggled to convince myself to attend a low ranking program and it's for personal reasons (to perfect my communication skills and to meet a future life partner) that I decide to matriculate. I hope you will wish me luck too 8-)

aalba005 · Answer

% of internationals staying in the U.S from top B-Schools is rebounding and still quite a viable option although nothing is guaranteed.

praveenchaudharyy · Answer

imaprofessor,

Thank you for the insights.USA or no USA.

I have been thinking a LOT on my goals and aspirations and I have come to the conclusion that in order to fulfill them ,I need an MBA degree from IIM A/B/C/ISB from India or at-least 50% scholarship at one of the top 10 MBA programs in the world.That said ,I have a huge struggle ahead.I do think I have decent profile but to reach your ultimate aim,one must give one's 200 percent to achieve it.I think I must try to work hard rather than just talking on Internet forums.

And yes,All the best in your future endeavors : )

MBAbot · Answer

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MBA - US or India

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