Chicago Booth Executive MBA or St. Gallen International Executive MBA?

Question

Hi all,

I got admitted to Chicago Booth Executive MBA and I have to decide whether I want to take part to the program.
I have a PhD in computer science and I recently relocated to Zurich (Switzerland) after living and working several years in Netherlands.
How is an EMBA from Chicago Booth seen in Switzerland? Is it better to attend a local program like the St. Gallen EMBA or is it better to attend a highly ranked school like Chicago Booth?

Kindly advice based on your learning and experience that what is the best track to choose. Your valued input would help me a lot!

Please, have your say

Thank you very much,
Roberta

Thank you very much, Roberta

mvictor · Answer

Hi! Congrats on getting admitted. 
I know a person who graduated from Booth and works in Switzerland. 
St. Gallen's EMBA is one of the top in Switzerland, and knowing from personal experience, Swiss people tend to value more their own products, universities, people. If you plan to continue working in Switzerland, I believe it will be a good choice; plus you will not spend much on traveling to/from Campus.
On the other hand, Booth is better ranked, and you should not have problems getting anywhere with a degree from Booth.
Moreover, what campus did you apply for Booth? I know they have one in London, which is much closer to Zurich than Chicago is.

vanillina · Answer

Hi Victor,

I applied to the one in London, which is close to Zurich. I'm just wondering whether Chicago Booth would open me more doors in Zurich than St. Gallen

bb · Answer

Congrats on getting into both programs!

I have a feeling Booth is a lot better ranked than St. Gallen. It is basically a Top 5 in the US/World. It is a great long term investment. 
I don't know the reputation of St. Gallen but you will get a big advantage being on the ground and making connections with your classmates and networking in Zurich, where you want to be. At least one of my friends have networked with EMBA classmates to go work for several of them or with several of them (after those extended offers to them).... he changed jobs in a year but still, EMBA connection provided him with an option to get a new job.

If your goal is not to get a new job per se but a promotion in your current company, it may be a different story. Or if you think you will move to a diff place, then absolutely Booth.

P.S. I thought IMD was the Top program of choice in Switzerland...
P.P.S. Have you visited the MBA campus? I have heard St. Gallen main full-time MBA campus is fairly small and tucked away, not presenting itself very well.

Chicago Booth Executive MBA or St. Gallen International Executive MBA?

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