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enkie
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 11:36
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Hi Guys

In your opinion, which top U.S. schools have the best international business focus?

This would really help with my application decision for Fall 2012 entry. I am considering doing emerging market penetration for firms, focusing on maybe Asia or Africa.

Thank you all in advance. :)

By the way, I may have misplaced this thread (not sure exactly where it should go in the forum), so apologies in advance.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 12:58
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enkie
Hi Guys

In your opinion, which top U.S. schools have the best international business focus?

This would really help with my application decision for Fall 2012 entry. I am considering doing emerging market penetration for firms, focusing on maybe Asia or Africa.

Thank you all in advance. :)

By the way, I may have misplaced this thread (not sure exactly where it should go in the forum), so apologies in advance.
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The Wharton/Lauder program would be my biased recommendation - if you can speak the language of the region, and are willing to take on the challenge of completing two degrees in two years, this should be your best option.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 14:19
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Thank you staind. I have a MPA in international economic policy so not sure if that would play against me if I applied to Lauder. But it's great to know that Wharton has a good international business focus. This is very helpful.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? Updated on: 10 Feb 2011, 15:01
Originally posted by danerd on 10 Feb 2011, 14:43.
Last edited by danerd on 10 Feb 2011, 15:01, edited 1 time in total.
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Thank you staind. I have a MPA in international economic policy so not sure if that would play against me if I applied to Lauder. But it's great to know that Wharton has a good international business focus. This is very helpful.
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The only thing that could play against you is if you are a native speaker of the Wharton/Lauder track you intend to take. For example, I wasn't eligible for the Chinese track since both Chinese and English were my native languages. If your ability to speak/read/write in the target foreign language is on the same level as poetry then you can't apply to the program. Hopefully, that's not the case for you cause it's a really great and exciting program!
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 14:48
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The only think that could play against you is if you are a native speaker of the Wharton/Lauder track you intend to take. For example, I wasn't eligible for the Chinese track since both Chinese and English were my native languages. If your ability to speak/read/write in the target foreign language is on the same level as poetry then you can't apply to the program. Hopefully, that's not the case for you cause it's a really great and exciting program!
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Hhahaha ARGH!!!! That is totally my case! :) I have native fluency in both English and Mandarin Chinese. Although, I'd like to focus on Africa as well, so I may learn French since many of the countries are Francophone. There is also a lot of investment and economic activities between China and Africa, so I may want to see if I can get in on some of that action.

Danerd, did you apply already? Are you applying for Fall 2011 entry or Fall 2012?

I am also considering other European schools such as INSEAD, LBS, and Oxford.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 15:23
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The MPA would definitely not play against you, on the contrary it could be an advantage. Although I'm not sure if you can learn a language your way in to the program. I think you need to score at least an Advanced-Low on the OPI and not sure how easily that could be achieved in one year of language training. LBS and INSEAD are definitely good options. Although I'm not sure if I would go with Oxford over a top 10 US school. Just to give you some perspective, I wanted an international business focus as well and my first choice was Wharton/Lauder, my second choice was LBS or Booth, and my "back-up plan" if I didn't have any success with top schools in R1 and R2 was INSEAD for Jan 2012 entry. Although I'm somewhat skewed towards finance programs which impacted my choices as well. Booth also has some interesting options including an IMBA (International MBA) and some dual degree programs.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 15:29
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staind
The MPA would definitely not play against you, on the contrary it could be an advantage. Although I'm not sure if you can learn a language your way in to the program. I think you need to score at least an Advanced-Low on the OPI and not sure how easily that could be achieved in one year of language training. LBS and INSEAD are definitely good options. Although I'm not sure if I would go with Oxford over a top 10 US school. Just to give you some perspective, I wanted an international business focus as well and my first choice was Wharton/Lauder, my second choice was LBS or Booth, and my "back-up plan" if I didn't have any success with top schools in R1 and R2 was INSEAD for Jan 2012 entry. Although I'm somewhat skewed towards finance programs which impacted my choices as well. Booth also has some interesting options including an IMBA (International MBA) and some dual degree programs.
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Thank you for your advice Staind. It's very helpful. Ideally, I'd like to work for a European firm that is trying to penetrate the Asia and Africa markets, or exploit (is this a bad word to use?) the recent economic activities between the two continents. Another side to this is, I'd love to be able to work in Europe as my serious bf is based there. I think my top 2 choices are Wharton and LBS, with a slight preference for LBS since I'd like to be in Europe, at least for the duration of my studies.

Are you applying for Fall 2011 entry now? Or waiting until Fall 2012?
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 20:53
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any thoughts on Thunderbird?
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 10 Feb 2011, 22:29
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enkie
staind
The MPA would definitely not play against you, on the contrary it could be an advantage. Although I'm not sure if you can learn a language your way in to the program. I think you need to score at least an Advanced-Low on the OPI and not sure how easily that could be achieved in one year of language training. LBS and INSEAD are definitely good options. Although I'm not sure if I would go with Oxford over a top 10 US school. Just to give you some perspective, I wanted an international business focus as well and my first choice was Wharton/Lauder, my second choice was LBS or Booth, and my "back-up plan" if I didn't have any success with top schools in R1 and R2 was INSEAD for Jan 2012 entry. Although I'm somewhat skewed towards finance programs which impacted my choices as well. Booth also has some interesting options including an IMBA (International MBA) and some dual degree programs.

Thank you for your advice Staind. It's very helpful. Ideally, I'd like to work for a European firm that is trying to penetrate the Asia and Africa markets, or exploit (is this a bad word to use?) the recent economic activities between the two continents. Another side to this is, I'd love to be able to work in Europe as my serious bf is based there. I think my top 2 choices are Wharton and LBS, with a slight preference for LBS since I'd like to be in Europe, at least for the duration of my studies.

Are you applying for Fall 2011 entry now? Or waiting until Fall 2012?
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I applied in R1 to both Wharton and LBS and was fortunate enough to get an admit at Wharton. I'm guessing you're applying this coming Fall? Its good that you're starting to think about schools right now.. trust me the months just fly by and before you know it the deadline is right in your face! I wanted to apply to 3-4 schools but I ended up spending so much time on the Wharton/Lauder application that I only managed to apply there and squeeze in a half hearted application to LBS despite starting with the application process in June.
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Best U.S. schools for International Focus? 11 Feb 2011, 04:53
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Oh congratulations!! :)

Yes I am applying this coming fall. I hate to be rushed and have about 4 schools I want to apply to in Round 1. I am one of those insane planner people who love Excel spreadsheets, and I've already started one for my apps. But after browsing this forum some more, I am happy to find that I'm not alone! :D