Let's talk about some business schools outside the Top 20 or US?

Question

Hey all,

I have been around for a while keeping a watchful eye out on forums, discussions, GMAT support etc. While I was doing my research for the 5 schools that I am gonna be applying for, after the GMAT, I couldn't fail but notice that almost every other post was about US B-Schools or the Top 20/ Top 30 B Schools or some such.

When I went and checked out the Tuition, the cost of living and the ROI of the aforementioned B-Schools, I could not imagine myself getting out of the student loan debt anytime sooner than say 5-6 years in any scenario. So now, I am out looking for some saner alternatives - something in the top 50 or so ranks yet payable in the 1st 2 years after graduation. I haven't been able to find many discussions/ advisory forums or guidance from the admission counselors.

I might have simply been looking at the wrong places, but if there are some links that anyone could share about some affordable MBA options having decent rankings, it would be highly appreciated!

- Rav!

such8 · Answer

Thanks for a much needed post! If someone has information about this, please post here and help others like us!

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

rmehta  I hear you, but also, encourage you to consider the # of years you can stay in the country post MBA. For example, Rotman is a good choice because you have 3 years post-MBA in Canada to pay off your loans if you do a 2-year program there. AND, your starting salary coming out of Rotman is much better than top 50 programs so you might be able to do that more quickly.

In the US, you might want to focus on ways to add a STEM component to the MBA to increase OPP time. So, just saying you can look at this several different ways. If you can get a better education and join a better alumni network, that will put you on a better trajectory even when the dollars and cents of that are not readily apparent at this stage.

rmehta · Answer

Hey MBAPrepCoach, thanks for the word in. I hear you and Canada is definitely on my list.

However, I also found a couple of other places with lenient VISA regulations like UC Dublin or Erasmus for instance. I am also looking at EDHEC quite positively. Now these might not be great choices as Rotman per se, but should get the job done.

The major qualm that I wanted to express here is the lack of concrete information, solid listings, pros/cons of colleges/ Universities outside the US or the top 20. When preparing a list of colleges that I want to apply to, I would like to go with a 4-3-2 approach for the ambitious, achievable and safe colleges respectively (keeping in mind my personal parameters). Is there any such source material available that opulently looks at these colleges less traversed? Your 2 cents please!

-Rav

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

This would be my best suggestion as your first step: he offers podcasts on the schools you mentioned (is UC Dublin Smurfit? Well Visa should be the same.)

https://touchmba.com/the-touch-mba-admissions-podcast/

Let's talk about some business schools outside the Top 20 or US?

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