Please help me decide bschool

Question

Hi everyone,

I am 34, F, Indian. I have a bachelors and masters degree in engineering from Indian colleges and 7 years of experience in product management. My goal post MBA is to continue in product management but at big tech firms.

I have given GMAT (both classic and focus) multiple times but haven't really touched my target score. My highest scores are:
GMAT classic: 680 (q48, V34)
GMAT focus1: 605 (q81, v82, di77)
GMAT focus2: 615 (q85, v80, di77)

I was fortunate to get an admit for the class of '26 from ISB yesterday. I have to accept it by 5th March by paying the admission fee and then pay first installment by 14th March.

However, I am in a dilemma. My husband and I both want to pursue an MBA. My husband has an admit from Kellogg 1 yr (husband is engg + MBA from India; 10 yrs of work ex - 5 yrs in PM; post mba goal is PM but switch industries).

I had applied to multiple schools in round 1 but didn't get any admits. I only got waitlisted at Tepper after interview. I had applied to tepper with 680. Since then, I updated Tepper with GMAT focus2 score (although it is equivalent to GMAT classic, my quant score has increased. I don't know if that will count). I have also been in touch with the school by attending webinars and got an additional letter of support from an alumni.

I have also applied to Kelley and McCombs in round 2, and had interviewed with Kelley early Feb.

However, the results for US schools will start coming in only mid-march. So, essentially, I need to decide whether to accept ISB or wait for US schools' results.

Can you guys please suggest? Do you think I have chances of converting either of the three schools - Tepper, Kelley, or McCombs?

Please help.  bb  @ MBAandBeyond  @  ARINGO @ AdmitExpert

bb · Answer

Moving the discussion to a better subforum.

bb · Answer

Hi. Congratulations on your admit, I guess 😬

No matter what we may tell you, it will not provide you enough confidence or guarantee that you’ll actually get admitted so if you’re planning to go to Business school this fall, you will have to pay the deposit for ISB.

Or if there is not the program you would like to attend and even if you do not get admitted to the others you will not attend, then you probably should not pay it all.

bb · Answer

More thoughts:

Try asking ISB for a deposit extension (no harm in asking). 
 If they don’t grant it, decide whether losing that deposit is worth it as an insurance policy. 
 If you’d be disappointed with an MBA in India (because your real aim is to be in the U.S.), you may lean toward skipping ISB and waiting for mid-March decisions or reapplying next year while you are with your Husband or stay back and work in India during his 1-year program.

The other considerations is that you won't be able to work in the US while he is going to school or while he is on H1B - not until he applies for the green card, which will be in a few years. It may be helpful to have a job and provide income and stability while he is at school but ultimately I think you would want to be in the US so hopefully one of the schools will come through and perhaps not worth paying the deposit at ISB?

Tink03 · Answer

Hello,

Congratulations on your admit from ISB!

Regarding your dilemma about ISB versus waiting for other U.S. school outcomes, you might consider asking ISB for an extension on the deposit deadline as BB mentioned. Many schools are willing to accommodate such requests, especially if explained with legitimate reasons like pending decisions from other programs. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and the worst they can say is no.

As for Tepper, if you are on the waitlist, decisions can sometimes be extended as late as May. Since you've updated them with your improved GMAT scores and demonstrated continued engagement, you've done everything you can for now. 
If you haven't already, reach out directly to the admissions office at ISB explaining your situation and request a deposit extension. This could give you the flexibility to make a more informed decision without losing your spot at ISB.

I understand it can be quite stressful. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further advice. Best of luck with your decisions!

thelady02 · Answer

Thank you  bb  and  Tink03  for your input.

I really want to go for MBA this year since I was laid off my job in September 2024 and havent got a job since.

However, I am leaning towards US but the uncertainty is killing me. I will definitely try a deposit extension, if they approve.

bb · Answer

Got it. There are 2 options you can have really if you have not been employed recently and you get no Admit from a US School:

1. You can go with your husband to the US (that will give you a legit reason for a break, sort of but you would still have a long-ish break + additional time since you can't work)
2. Start the MBA in India. Not sure what is next then after you finish - I guess you can perhaps work remotely or move to the US and look for a job there but visa is going to be a limitation.

P.S. I think ISB is better than nothing but hoping you get the US admit so you can be with your husband. You can also try a lower-ranked US program with your score in R3. Perhaps Urbana Champaign in Chicago or Broad (which is close-ish) just to get you additional options?

thelady02 · Answer

Thank you,  bb  for your inputs. We are discussing what to do ahead. I have also requested a deposit extension from ISB.

Please help me decide bschool

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