LBS Vs. UT McCombs [Solved: McCombs]

Question

I am lucky enough to have been accepted into two terrific MBA programs: the London Business School and the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas. Back when I was first applying, my wife and I agreed that we'd prefer LBS. Now, we're not so sure! We would benefit from outside perspectives. For context, I am based in Washington, DC, making a career change from governments/politics to (hopefully) international management consulting in the energy industry.

Originally, we had preferred LBS for its international reputation and network. Living/working internationally is our top professional/personal goal, so LBS made sense. Furthermore, we love London and the UK for a host of personal reasons (food, churches, public transportation, traveling within Europe).

As time has gone on, however, a few developments have occurred to boost our estimation of UT. First, they offered $10K/year in scholarship on top of in-state tuition. Second, we were made aware of instances where students spent half of their time in the UK for the UT MBA at LBS or LSE.

There are a couple other complicating factors related to timing (close friends' weddings, wife's job) that would make a transatlantic move difficult, and I do not know how accommodating LBS would be about deferring a year. Those variables aside, any insight as to which program might be a better career move?

Thanks, all!

Posted from my mobile device

JohnnyBlaze · Answer

LBS

There is no comparison in quality of programs here, LBS is a top global program, UT is a top 20 US program. Going to LBS you’ll have the best academics and students around. You’ll get a lot of great regional UT students/profs, but it’s not not comparable.

Unless you want to 100% live in Texas for the rest of your life, hard to see how you don’ pick LBS

bb · Answer

Hi. Congrats on your admit! My cousin got into the LBS in R1 and was pretty excited about starting in the fall. He is also from the US but intends to live and work in Asia. However, LBS is still a heavy London-based program and while it is ranked well globally, it's sphere of influence is primarily London.

Your spouse and options for her work/etc may have an impact on your decision but if you want to be based outside of the US, I don't see how McCombs will help you. I think it is a great program and attract a high caliber of applicants but schools in the US generally don't recruit internationally besides a few exceptions. So... if you are committed to be international, then LBS it is. Have you lined up financing for it? I am always a bit lost about how it works with US folks applying in Europe.

P.S. As to Corona, I think we will know more in a few months. I think everyone is desperately hoping that the virus and side effects on travel and economy will go away and start to subside soon but there is no way to tell and if things are not doing well, I see schools giving deferral or deposit refund options. LBS may be impacted quite a bit due to the high % of international applicants who may not be able to get visas in time for the semester start.

bb · Answer

Funny that you say that, same exact thoughts have crossed my mind but I am sure the OP has applied to some higher ranked schools in the US. My cousin did too and the best he got was WL at Darden. Which makes it an interesting comparison. It is possible Americans are under-represented at LBS and it is easier for them to get in. On the other hand, perhaps LBS is equivalent of about a Top 15 school in the US.... not sure how to exactly reconcile it.

P.S. I voted for LBS because OP mentioned their goal was to be outside of the US.

FinanceMan · Answer

If your goal is to build a career outside of the US then I would select LBS. I am a big McCombs fan (despite being from Oklahoma - Boomer Sooner!). With COVID-19 on a rampage, it is very possible that you may get a deferral from LBS or a deposit refund. If you are set on starting your MBA this year, could you put a deposit down at both programs? I am not certain how that works exactly.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Your idea of double-deposit has crossed my mind but i would not put it down hoping that it may be refunded. If a school find out you double-dipped, they may not be as sensitive and helpful as if you were fully committed and coming (so definitely would not make it know) but I would wait for the school official policy on deposit refund along the lines of what Tepper came up with https://www.cmu.edu/tepper/programs/mba ... pdate.html

dublo · Answer

Thank you, all, so much for your input! It is tremendously appreciated. As I mentioned, working abroad is our top priority, which would give LBS an edge. One question we’d wonder, however, is if McCombs might possibly open doors for a strategic corporate position at an international energy company, with which McCombs is particularly well-connected, that could eventually place me in an international office. Thus, we’d attain the desired outcome of working abroad while saving money on the front end (aforementioned scholarship/in-state tuition) AND hedging the risk of having a less US-recognizable LBS degree in case I am unable to secure an international job post-graduation for whatever reason (e.g., UK/EU economy, visa difficulties). Is that a reasonable strategy? Overly cautious? Of course, it delays living internationally, but maybe only marginally.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

dublo · Answer

I’m thinking COVID-19 changes the picture for me. While LBS and London have been a dream for me for a while, it seems like global events have conspired against students hoping to study internationally this year. I just don’t know how confident I feel about my wife getting a job in London if we went to LBS, nor am I certain that the U.K. economy will have recovered in time for my summer internship or graduation placement. While the same arguments can apply to UT, at least I’m at a cheaper program with no possible visa issues.

I would love it if someone could convinced me I am wrong and that the smart thing to do is LBS!

Posted from my mobile device

I would love it if someone could convinced me I am wrong and that the smart thing to do is LBS!

Posted from my mobile device

Regenerate · Answer

1) Remember your big goals. Don't sacrifice them for small concerns.

2) Its OK to change your goals.

................

The value you derive from your MBA is highly correlated to your hustle while getting it and immediately after.

If you do to UT and spend focused time between finally committing until you graduate to network with executives who are both alumni AND work internationally in energy, I'd expect you to be fine.

But, I suspect you'll find it easier going via LBS.

The only way for you to maybe KNOW is to have extended conversations with people in the career services offices for each school. Explain your goals and ask for help.

...............

The last idea ... ask LBS if they'll match the scholarship from UT.

Posted from my mobile device

scollop · Answer

Getting international posting with large energy companies is definitely doable from McCombs. I know a couple people who graduated 2 years ago from McCombs who are already working abroad for a Exxon/Chevron/etc.

EasyAs123 · Answer

I've been reading this post very closely because I am in a similar situation - applied to both U.S. and European programs with the desire to experience an MBA education abroad (with potential to live abroad post-MBA).

But I also have the same concerns about COVID-19 for the international schools I've applied to, and it's making the choices extremely difficult. 
Being from the U.S., I worry about what the job market looks like next summer for internships and visas, as well as the potential for travel to be inhibited (imagine being in London and being restricted at times from traveling to see the rest of Europe), let alone the impact to the actual in-person experience (move all the way to Europe to sit for periods of time in your flat doing virtual classes..). While these are more extreme scenarios, they aren't out of the question it seems.

If your goal is to live abroad post-MBA, then under normal circumstances LBS is the best choice. But these aren't normal circumstances, and the risk level seems to be higher now for European programs (if you're an international student). Deferring could be an option, but to wait another year is tough, and the situation might still be the same. I suppose it all comes down to your risk tolerance, at least in my current experience/decision process. Because of that, I'm leaning towards U.S. schools (also because there's a chance I work in the U.S. afterwards anyways), but thinking about other ways to get abroad down the road, as you are as well.

One thing that you do have in your favor for LBS is that the Tier 4 Student Visa you'll have can convert to a Tier 2 Work Visa if you get hired by a company in the UK before your official graduation date (i.e you secure a post-MBA job before graduation). My understanding is that you won't count against the "national limit" for foreign workers in that situation. This means you'd bypass many of the visa hurdles that you'd normally experience as an international student in a different country. So the economy might be doing poorly, but you'd still have a fighting chance to get hired, and wouldn't be inhibited by your visa status. That is, of course, if these rules still apply given the current situation.

ANALysis · Answer

voted for UT

you can move abroad any time after you finish your MBA. going abroad in this uncertain time probably isn't a good idea, and the UK is no longer in the EU, which makes it a less attractive place to work

bb · Answer

It is tough. Things are changing in unprecedented ways and you are asking a bit about the future. Anyone who claims certainty is definitely not being honest with themselves. Who would have known that toilet paper and hair coloring would be a hot commodity or that all airlines would be shattered? I think nobody would blame you for making the logical or the safer choice. It is different when it is just you but your spouse depends on you too and you have to make the decision with that in mind. Hopefully she is a good counter-balance to your hot male head.

Some folks are predicting further waves of the pandemic. I think that's not unreasonable but I have no idea. I would look at 3 scenarios: 1. Best - everything recovers by Oct

2. Worst - more waves; things go up in flames. no recovery. more stay at home and online classes

3. In between. Tepid recovery but not bad.

What would you be OK with? Does it make sense to be around fam in 2 out of 3? would it be catastrophic to be in UK in case of #2? If you are finding those are the answers, maybe it is worth reconsidering. There are many roads that lead to the same place.

dublo · Answer

It seems like a lifetime since I posted this! I actually ended up going with McCombs. The uncertainty of travelling and studying abroad presented by COVID-19 was too much for me. I think that ended up being the right decision, considering the massive, repeated shutdowns London has gone through. Nevertheless, I am endlessly disappointed about missing the opportunity to go to LBS. I feel like I’ll never get an opportunity like that again. Oh well--I know the whole world is reeling and I am relatively lucky. I have an internship with a major energy company, so hopefully I'll be able to pivot that into an international experience soon.

Posted from my mobile device

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

And I am hearing back from my cousin at LBS that things are rough with jobs in the UK. Not sure if that’s a lot of him but it seems he implied it is an issue for everyone since most students left UK to avoid the lockdown challenges, save money, and avoid the escalation of the pandemic.

So you chose well... not sure if I advised well 😬

Posted from my mobile device

So you chose well... not sure if I advised well 😬

Posted from my mobile device

rohan2345 · Answer

Really? From all the students I spoke to at LBS, despite pandemic-induced challenges, things are going great for them job-wise. A lot of them ended up getting MBBs, quite a few with PE/VC offers and tech is really booming at LBS. Of course, a few of them are still recruiting as Tech, LDPs, and PE/VC recruitment are still going on, but those who are done seem very happy. On the contrary, my international friends in the top US schools seem to be struggling a bit as a lot of firms are not sponsoring H1Bs. Sure the social aspect is not the best in both the countries due to the surge in cases but people are finding ways to network in small numbers. Lot of different perspectives it seems.

LBS Vs. UT McCombs [Solved: McCombs]

LBS or UT?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards