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desperate for help and advice!! need insights in order to pick the right program

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caitsith

Joined: 27 Feb 2009
Posts: 1
desperate for help and advice!! need insights in order to pick the right program
Sat Feb 28, 2009 01:22 AM
I apologize in advance as I might be posting this in the wrong place.
Anyhow, I'm in desperate need of advice for choosing the right business school to apply to. We all agree that we only have one chance in a life time to attend a MBA

I have shortlisted the following based on: my budget (cost of tuition, all should be under 30k€), my gmat, my work experience and my overall profile:

CEIBS (Shanghai)
NUS (Singapore)
Nanyang (singapore)
Rotterdam Erasmus (Netherlands)
Melbourne Business School MBS (australia)
Australian Graduate School of Management AGSM (australia)
EADA (spain)
Brandeis IBS (US)
University of Alberta (Canada)

I'm quite aware that the only reputable school ranked among the top tier in my list is CEIBS . But unfortunately they appear to have the highest average gmat among their students (I only managed to obtain a meager 660, btw is this too low? ). However, given the fact that I am a foreign born chinese, it would be nice to get a grasp of my heritage. On the other hand my mandarin is quite rusty, I can speak it fluently but I'm hopeless at writing or reading. My understanding is that CEIBS offers a good quality programme, however, this would be overwhelmingly China-centric, so it would be pointless if i did not manage to improve my mandarin during the MBA (which cannot be taken as granted as I have been taking chinese class ever since I was a kid to no avail), as I would have little chances of finding any good jobs thereafter.

Now my choice should be based upon the schools tuition fees (as my only source of funding will be my savings), the return on investment, therefore the value for money of the programme, and lastly but not least, the employment opportunities the degree would open up.....you probably will be thinking "duh!??!?".

I have been working in the corporate banking industry for over 3 years now (compliance and operational risk depts), and as the sector is going through an unprecedented crisis, I do not forsee any likelyhood in career advancements in the near future. At least not in my firm, as I am likely to be made redundant in the "simplification process"..(I probably should not metion this in my application right).

This all probably makes little sense to you as the range of universities I have listed is so broad, both in terms of geography and programmes, but I never really considered studying for an MBA as an option before, and this decision only came to me a couple of months ago, so sorry if I seem completely clueless.

One last thing, I'm an EU citizen so working visa shouldn't be an issue for job hunting after my MBA, provided i decided to stick to the old continent. However this appears to be a reason for concern when considering the programmes offered by American Canadian and Australian schools... as I would like to find a job where I graduate, it would be pointless not to...
From what I understand some schools actually adapt their entry standards according to the applicant's profile and background, would this be including nationality? eg. would there be more competition if i wanted to apply to an asian b school as an asian student as opposed to being "european" (maybe higher gmat avergae.. and so on,.). As I hold two passports (east meets west), if this were the case, i might consider disguising myself as an old continent applicant.

Back to us, if you have attended or have any experience regarding the b schools mentioned above, I would be extremely thankful if you could share with me your feedback and considerations, and perhaps provide me with your view on what would be the right choice to make in my shoes.
As this is such an important decision to make and a very expensive investment, I really wouldn't want to make the wrong choice. once again, thanks sooo much for providing me with any info!!!!!

[Edited by caitsith on 28 Feb 2009]
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stepru

Joined: 01 Mar 2009
Posts: 1
desperate for help and advice!! need insights in order to pick the right program
Mon Mar 02, 2009 09:38 AM
Hello, you should consider Rutgers Asia. They have class in Beijing, Shanghai and Singapore. It is an American university, and they are established in Asia for several years, I think for 10 years now.
The relationship with Chinese and International students and managers is greatful.
I began the program last Fall, and I am fully satisfied. Tuition fees are realistics.
I recommand!!
Stephen Prud'homme
Canadian Expat in Beijing
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andy.j.

Joined: 10 Jul 2008
Posts: 175
desperate for help and advice!! need insights in order to pick the right program
Tue Mar 03, 2009 03:04 PM
I would certainly try and get into an Asian school in your place - you could benefit form your mixed heritage greatly, and this can really help your carrier. Asia is the place to be!

i wouldn't worry about the GMAT score - schools tend to be flexible if the other parameters are good(like work Ex. and GPA).

NUS and Nanyang are also good and respectable schools(being in the top ten is not the only thing that counts!) and are worth looking into.

Evey person considering taking an MBA program in Asia should learn Mandarin, and as you already know some, this would give you a great head start(and also, you probably have more insight to the Chinese culture then the average non Asian MBA student, which would really help you in the networking process)

Good luck!

Andy

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