Imd Vs IE

Question

Hey guys,
I got to take a decision on which mba program to attend next year. I whisked I could get here but now that I'm there it looks more complex than I though.
There're reason that push me towards ie: the entrepreneurial incubator, the city of Madrid, the diversity and the quality of e attendees ( I.e. is a major school for McKinsey consultants). 
On the other hand imd has a great reputation, is very intense and, given the size, with a very personalized approach and it's in Switzerland where it's gonna be easy to find a job. What "scares" me of imd is the fact Lausanne does not look at all a vibrant city and the school does not have a university so the occasion for networking activities are probably more limited.
Has anybody gone through this dilemma? In terms of my post mba plan, I' m planning to work in the industry (I.e.no consulting or banks) and in the long term to run my own business.
Regards

essaysnark · Answer

Direstrairs, welcome to GMAT Club - and congrats on getting into these two great schools! We are familiar with both and have visited these locations so we might be able to provide a little insight - though you are definitely at a disadvantage if you have never been to campus at either school. :-(

Before we share our own opinions, we'd like to get a little more info from you - and we also need to stress that anything we, or anyone, could say is subjective... this decision is so personal that you'll need to weigh everything you hear from others very carefully, to let it not influence you unduly. That being said: 1. Can you tell us your age and whether you'll be bringing a partner / children to school with you? 2. Are you leaning towards one or the other right now? (We think you are but we don't want to state it until we hear confirmation) 3. Why did you mention the comment re: IE and McKinsey consultants if you don't intend to go into consulting? 4. Will you definitely try to gain employment in Spain or Switzerland (respectively) rather than returning to your home country? EssaySnark

Direstrairs · Answer

Essaysnark,
Thanks for the reply and yes it's absolutely fair the opinion you provide may reflect a personal view rather then a general truth.
That being said:

1. Can you tell us your age and whether you'll be bringing a partner / children to school with you? --> I'm 31 with no kids. My plan is to bring my wife over but still to be decided.
2. Are you leaning towards one or the other right now? (We think you are but we don't want to state it until we hear confirmation)--> from a program fit perspective I prefer IMD, from an overall cultural perspective maybe ie is a bit ahead
3. Why did you mention the comment re: IE and McKinsey consultants if you don't intend to go into consulting?--> maybe not a best example but it was meant to exemplify brilliant people@ ie.
4. Will you definitely try to gain employment in Spain or Switzerland (respectively) rather than returning to your home country? -->Well Spain I see as difficult/ impossible.btw I' m open to stay abroad couple of year and then get back to my country
Hope this may help you in providing your opinion.
Thanks

essaysnark · Answer

OK - the advice we're going to offer might be controversial and in fact goes against our own philosophies about education, but we're responding to how you've phrased your question and the elements you're highlighting. You need to decide why you are going to business school. Are you going because you want to dive into the academics and learn a bunch of new skills and absorb as much as you can? Do you have plans for really pushing your career in some important new direction, that you need to squeeze everything out of every class possible? Or are you going because you want to squeeze as much fun out of it as you can? Do you want the social life and the parties and the going out with your friends - along with classes of course, but maybe the new friendships and the network and the overall EXPERIENCE of a year away from the grind of the daily working world is more appealing? (the fact that your wife may not be joining you... :-D

) Along with YOLO,there's YOGTBSO - You Only Go To BSchool Once ( we've been accused of having "OUOA disorder (Over Use of Acronyms) ) What are you seeking from the experience? Once you answer that question then you'll know exactly which school to pick. ;-)

In case that answer was wholly unhelpful, let us know and we'll try to be more forthcoming (but we think you already know the stuff we would say about both of these schools, based on how we just laid out the decision you're making). Bottom line: You're going to get a GREAT EDUCATION and have a GREAT TIME at either of these schools. The world economy is improving and (fingers crossed) by the time you graduate from either, job prospects will be picking up in Europe - yes, probably still in Spain, too, though they tend to have more protectionist policies and it's always harder for a foreigner to land work there. We can offer more specific observations about what we observed about students at these schools and what we know directly from working with people who got in and are attending - but you're going to be making a good decision at either place. Just figure out what your personal priorities are and then you'll know what to do. Happy to answer other queries if you have them. EssaySnark

Direstrairs · Answer

Thanks essay snark
However I'm not sure I agree with 
Btw I' m doing business school mainly for improving my soft leadership skills (I've more experience than the mean)
I whish different people with experiences on one school or the other may provide an inside view on the program and on all the side elements of that, but I need that view to be fact based and not relying on generic conclusions.
Hope u understand what I mean
Regards

essaysnark · Answer

Actually we have no idea what you mean - you want other people to share their experiences and you will then take those as FACT?

What we're doing is showing you how to make an important life decision: You need to know what your values are.

Both of these schools are very different experiences - they attract different types of people. Your cohort will be radically different at each. That's what we're communicating to you. If you are unaware of this, then you really haven't done much research. And if this is your first time in reaching out to people who have attended these schools, then that's a little late in your process - not too late, since you still can use that in making this decision, but it seems odd that you aren't already an expert in the cultures and what IMD and IE are like. They really are VERY different. That's what you need to understand and evaluate in order to make the right call for yourself - it comes down to what YOU prioritize right now.

We'll say it again: Everything we're telling you is based on our FIRSTHAND experience in visiting both of these schools - which you apparently have not done - and in working very very closely over many months, in some cases a year, with people who applied and got in and matriculated. We know what these schools are like from a variety of inputs. But it is of course still only an opinion, based on these observations. We did not personally attend either IE or IMD for our MBAs.

If you want data, then you need to be looking at employment reports; that's the only source of "data" we know of at this stage of the process that could factor into anything.

It's an important decision, you're going to be changing the entire trajectory of your future life from this, so we appreciate the gravity of the situation. Good luck and please report back on what you decide!

EssaySnark

Direstrairs · Answer

Thanks essaysnark,
I appreciate you shared your point of view.
Exactly, I'd like to hear from whom has attended those schools; the fact they're very different, they attract different kind of people etc..I got that. How do you think you can overcome the interview process if you do not do extensive research about the school?
thanks again and let's see if anybody jumps in this conversation

I'll let you know my conclusions.
Regards

I'll let you know my conclusions. Regards

Justdoitboy · Answer

Direstrairs

Based on your rough description, I believe IMD is a perfect choice for you, for several reasons below :

- IMD’s Reputation and brand name > IE’s in general.
- IMD is very strong in general management in industry, delivering the best MBA education quality in Europe.
- IMD’s Leadership development is ranked N°1 in the world, very personal development approach to help you become a well-rounded business leader. 
- the average salary base of IMD graduates is the highest in the world (around 103Ke), INSEAD and LBS around 93Keuros, IE around 70Keuros.
- There aren’t a lot of IMD students who start their own entrepreurial project upon graduation. But several years after graduation, the rate/ratio of IMD alumni who set up their own business is higher than other European schools.
- IMD placement statistics are very solid, and career services are the best. Switzerland and Germany are the two countries whose economy goes well at this moment, In contrary, Spain is in crisis. Compared with IE, I believe that you would have a better chance to find a decent job in industry if you go to IMD (even to work outside Switzerland after graduation). Of course, this point is purely based on statistics, it actually depends on individual in reality.
- IMD is a very international business school (98%international students), with divers profiles coming from all over the world; You will not be disappointed by the cultural diversity, background distinction, and the maturity of its students’ body.

Of course, if you want to have a “vibrant” life during your MBA study, I think the champion on this point is INSEAD, famous party school with younger students than you; IE is not known for this. Actually, IMD’s students have their own fun, with lots of beers, even during their busiest days..

The “weak” point of IMD compared with IE is probably that IMD’s study life is tougher than that of IE, even it is the toughest in Europe. but you will be rewarded at the end.

Well, hope my comments could bring some lights for your choice. Good luck !

Direstrairs · Answer

Thanks justdoitboy,
Your conclusions make perfect sense to me and, indeed, I've chosen IMD. I'll see whether I did the right choice.
Bye

Posted from my mobile device

Justdoitboy · Answer

I am happy for you,
Enjoy your 2014 in Lausanne !

krutik123 · Answer

I am in a dilemma to apply to one/two of the following schools and need some help in selecting the right one - HEC Paris, IESE, IE
Post-MBA Career Goal: Management/Tech Consulting
Current Work-Ex: 4 yrs in JP Morgan ( IT)
Nationality: Indian
GMAT: 710
Age: 25

Sanskriti29 · Answer

Hi guys!
I'm in the same dilemma now.. IMD vs IE. 
I know the difference in cohorts and experiences and I've done my research. However, I'm wondering what the general view on each university's placements is currently? And IMD is generally declining in rankings while IE is now in the top 10 in the FT 2017 rankings. How significant is this in the post-graduation employment hunt?

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

Imd Vs IE

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