IESE versus LBS

Question

Hi guys! Hope you're well. I am super happy to have gotten into both the schools I applied to: IESE and LBS.

IESE have given me a 20% scholarship, and LBS are yet to inform me about a scholarship decision.

LBS was very much my first choice but IESE has a lovely culture! I went to LSE for undergraduare and have lived in London for a long time.

I'm hoping to be an entrepreneur post MBA, have a few business ideas but they're likely to move around a little!

Any views, thoughts, decision making strategies much appreciated.

Sidenote: I'm a UK citizen, any tips on loans or budgeting would also be gratefully received!

Thank you!

MBAGuide · Answer

Hi diva_va congrats on the impressive admits! IESE has garnered exceptional praise in recent years, and its rise in the global rankings is a testament to the satisfaction expressed by its alumni. On the other hand, LBS holds a distinguished reputation as a legacy brand that should not be easily dismissed, especially if you have aspirations of tapping into it extensive global network of alumni. Considering your UK citizenship, I envision a plethora of opportunities coming your way even if you choose to study at IESE. Many internationals I collaborate with often seek pathways in the UK following their education at IESE. Therefore, I believe this aspect should not cause any concerns for you, especially given your intent to embark on an entrepreneurial journey immediately after your MBA. However, it is crucial to evaluate which of these programs would provide the most supportive environment for your entrepreneurial goals. While you haven't specified your industry focus, it could be a significant factor to consider, particularly due to LBS's notable emphasis on finance and entrepreneurship. If you envision yourself thriving within the UK ecosystem, having the distinguished LBS brand associated with your profile may yield substantial advantages over an IESE affiliation (I strongly believe it will). So, carefully consider which program offers a support system (during MBA and forever after) that best fits your entrepreneurial ambitions. If you are interested in taking an education loan, I can recommend Prodigy Finance based on my own experience with them. Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, ex admissions interviewer) MBAGuideConsulting LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com

Angry-Indian-male · Answer

Both schools have their pros and cons, ultimately, post-brexit, situation in EU is different. As you're a British national, LBS does seem like a tempting choice because of the following reasons based on your post-MBA entrepreneurship goals-

1. Grants- You qualify for citizens only privileges
2. Network- Based on the nature of your business, this might be a better option. Of course unless the nature of your business has something to do with Spain or something IESE has over LBS.
3. Finance streams- LBS is mostly a finance school but when it comes to MBA programs, has more options and pathways.

Being a citizen does come with some benefits.

But IESE, is undoubtedly an amazing school with resources that might help you too. It does help to note that academic environment in both the schools is different with IESE being a case study based one and LBS being a hybrid learning one (Classroom, lecture and cases)

bb · Answer

Maybe I’ll be boring but might take is stay where you have a net work and a strong homebase. It seems like London may be it between the two schools the same time I can understand he wanted opportunity to travel and have fun but you have that in every business school.

My main concern perhaps would be your budget and whether LBS going to break the bank and cost too much. It’s never helpful to have a start up when you have a huge loan payment due.

I would also consider the secondary value of the business school and the network that it has. If you are planning to do your start up in the UK then it will not be helpful to spend two years in Barcelona and they need to move away after that though there are a number of IESC Elam’s in London since that’s where everyone who does not speak Spanish recruit and that’s the majority of people.

Bottom line to me, finance and where are you planning to be after graduation.

Posted from my mobile device

Angry-Indian-male · Answer

Exactly,
Entrepreneurship is so much hard as it is, adding to it, starting up from scratch, tough enough to deal with.

How did you do it after your program would actually help!

IESE versus LBS

LBS versus IESE

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