Hello everyone,

I've recently received admission to MIP Politecnico de Milano International MBA program. This program holds accreditation from EQUIS and AMBA, however it has not received AACSB accreditation yet. When speaking with the recruiters during the interview process, they mentioned the program is in the process of receiving AACSB accreditation fairly soon.

In reading other discussions, I understand that a triple crown program has a higher impact on employment opportunities and salary offerings after MBA graduation. However, since MIP is lacking the AACSB distinction will this put me at a strong disadvantage?

I'm a US student with a Bachelors in Business Administration: Finance and 3 years work experience in commercial banking. My goal after graduation is to work in global banking or international real estate, which is why I've decided to obtain a MBA in Europe.

The other schools I'm considering are ESCP, Nyenrode & Tias.

Regards,

Ashley

[Edited by AshleyB89 on Jan 30, 2018]

A good school has accreditation, to have AACSB triple crown does not add much value to its programme. I still don't see the values of having 3,4 or 5 accreditation.

Harvard does not have 3 accreditations, MIT does not have 3 accreditations, Stanford does not have 3 accreditations.

Of the 3 accreditations, ACCSB is easier to obtain the other 2.

All 4 schools you look at are very similar in rankings so just pick one that you like most.

Outside of those alumni circles nobody cares.

I don't quite agree. Certainly MIT doesn't need any additional affirmation but MIP is not MIT. Triple accreditation matters more to students and to academics than to employers. Each accrediting body looks for different things, and they do help schools to deliver more. However, employment markets are very national and few employers will care fundamentally about it. MIP is famous in Italy, but it needs accreditation to improve their quality, and thus attract students and faculty, and thus attract employers.

Living in Milan I can tell you that, regardless of AACSB accreditation, MIP is one of the best schools for employement in Italy, specially in the Milan area.
So, if your goal is to stay in Italy after graduation I wouldn't worry about this issue.

If your goals are within Europe in general, of the 4 you mentioned I'd go with ESCP

[Edited by RobertoG83 on Jan 30, 2018]

Considering the school already has AMBA and EQUIS accreditation, I wouldn't worry so much about it not having AACSB. AACSB has traditionally been more of a US-based body, although that's been changing in recent years, so it's not really 'expected' of a European school to have it. For most students who expect a good education, it's enough to have just one of the three, in reality.

I mean, Aston has the 'triple crown,' while Oxford does not. But I would certainly choose Oxford over Aston.