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cloudytn
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HEC Paris vs IIMA PGPX vs Foster GEMBA Updated on: 14 Jan 2024, 12:52
Originally posted by cloudytn on 31 Dec 2023, 04:59.
Last edited by cloudytn on 14 Jan 2024, 12:52, edited 2 times in total.
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HEC Paris vs IIMA vs Foster GEMBA!
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divesh87
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HEC Paris vs IIMA PGPX vs Foster GEMBA 31 Dec 2023, 05:19
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cloudytn
Hi All,

I'm an Indian, male candidate with 10+ yrs of diverse work experience across consulting, marketing, clean-tech startups, and technology startups, where I've spent the last 4.5 yrs. I'm looking to use an MBA to transition from Tech sales to tech strategy roles, and to gain some international work experience. I've been working ever since my undergrad (3 yr STEM undergrad from India). I've reached a stage where not having an MBA is making me miss out on more strategic roles or bigger tech employer brands in a competitive market. I wasn't looking at EMBA programs because of the cost and the dilution in terms of course offering / networking experience. Hence, was only looking at full time programs.

Given my goals were for tech, Plan A was to apply to the US 1 yr programs that were open to older candidates and those with a 3yr undergrad - NYU Tech MBA, Kellogg, MIT Sloan Fellows. I applied and got rejected from all. (Only interviewed with Kellogg).

As plan B, I applied to HEC Paris, LBS Sloan Fellows, Foster's 1 yr MBA for Sr. execs, and IIM Ahmedabad's 1 yr PGP. I got admits to Foster, IIMA, and HEC Paris, all without scholarship. Foster and HEC are coming to $130K total expenses, IIMA at $43K.

I'm very confused by what decision to take - Foster has great outcomes for tech, but since GEMBA is not their flagship program, I've heard mixed reviews from current students. The last Indian GEMBA student to find a job was in 2020, that too before Covid hit. Foster recently relaunched the GEMBA program after a 3 yr gap, with the current batch the first to feature many self-sponsored students. Also, the current US tech job market is making things even tougher for internationals from both top tier and mid tier B schools, making me seriously question the risk / reward on Foster. ( Eg. In the worst case scenario, if I had to return to India, the brand value of a Foster MBA in my home market would be questionable)

Similarly, HEC Paris seems to have its own horror stories on EU recruitment, with the ME region seeming to be the only ray of hope for job opps, and with the Indian market largely indifferent to HEC MBAs.

To complicate things further, my partner, a doctor, cleared the UK medical licensing exams, so settling down long-term in the UK is a very viable option. The pragmatist in me is contemplating taking up IIM Ahmedabad's 1 yr program simply for its ROI and brand value in my home country (1/3 rd the cost of HEC / Foster), and doing maybe a specialist Masters in the UK in something I'm passionate about - like sustainability or tech policy - to crack that job market. (I am not sold on the brand value of HEC for the UK market).

Would appreciate any views and thoughts.

PS - When the UK option became clearer, I started working on the Oxbridge applications, WIP and targeting Rd 3 deadlines, which are tricky.
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Hi

HEC Paris MBA alum here (Class of 2017) who interned with Amazon in London during MBA and was offered a full time role post-MBA but ofcourse i didn't take it up because I had other plans.

I can tell you from experience that HEC Paris will definitely open up doors for you both in Tech and in the UK. A lot of folks do make it. So I would recommend you take up HEC Paris.

Best,
Divesh
Founder & Managing Consultant
http://www.Top100MBA.Club
[email protected]

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HEC Paris vs IIMA PGPX vs Foster GEMBA 31 Dec 2023, 08:35
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congratulations for the admit..
considering your long term goals and current geo political situation I would recommend IIM A ...
wish you all the best ..