Hola!

I am applying to EADA and Carlos III, and in the hopes I get accepted to both schools, could someone tell me which school is better, basing the objective facts solely on the school please, not the cities.
I know by ranking, EADA is higher. However, Carlos is younger.
I am from the the U.S., so I would love to stay in Spain and work a few years, then move back to the US and work a few years and then in about 5 or 6 years, start my own small business. (so, keeping that in mind, entrepreneur classes are a key factor for my decision, as well as job placement. )

According to the FT.com 2009 world business school rankings:
http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-rankings
EADA is 91 and Arizona State University is 76. (Universidad de Carlos III offers its first year in Madrid and then it's 2nd year at ASU, giving one an U.S. degree).

So, even though I am living in Barcelona now, and absolutely love it, my ROI is more important than the Med. Sea at my door step, well, at least I hope so.

Hi

I am also looking at EADA - haven't looked into Carlos III. Which program are you planning on taking? Masters? MBA?

-Eric

So, even though I am living in Barcelona now, and absolutely love it, my ROI is more important than the Med. Sea at my door step, well, at least I hope so.

Well, I am applying to the MBA program at EADA, I just had my interview last week, so we will see. But, any details on Carlos III in Madrid??

Both are good programs. Carlos III is better known internationally, both in Europe and North America, and is one of the leading business research centers in Spain, together with IESE (and well ahead of EADA and ESADE). It also offers a great price, which is largely subsidized, but its MBA program is still relatively young. On the other hand, EADA can give you access to a larger alumni network, a better placement structure, and exposure in the rankings. The styles are also quite different: Carlos III's is closer to the "US style" (faculty have a stronger academic background) whereas EADA follows a more "European" style, with weaker academic roots and more reliance on practitioners.

Carlos III is just below IESE??? What about IE, ESADE and EADA?
Carlos III is not appearing in any ranking and is well far away to be considered one of the best in spaini.

Are you paid to say these things?

I see you are from the U.S. I am looking into European MBA programs as well, however I do not speak french or spanish. Do you? The programs I am looking at state "classes offered in English," however do you all feel my lack of language will create problems for me in the education programs?

Also, any pointers on low GMAT scores would be appreciated.

Joseph234,

If you re-read my post you'll see that my statement was about those schools' **research** quality. In terms of research, IESE and Carlos III are at similar levels and the other schools are well behind.

Okay, so I was accepted to both schools, Carlos III and EADA, but I decided upon Carlos because it is WAY cheaper and exchanging dollars into euros was too big of a loss at EADA.

HOWEVER, my family is now having a hard time with my decision because they say the school is not accredited by AACSB. They are accredited only by AMBA. They said that the AMBA is not good enough or recognized in the states and I will have a hard time with jobs and/or getting my Ph.D. afterwards in the states.

I have attempted to contact AMBA and confirm that there international recognize as as good as AACSB in North America or simply recognized in the states, but I have not heard word. Could anyone confirm this for me, and if possible, with a credible source as well, so I can send this to my worried family members who have now managed to scare me with the AMBA vs. AACSB.

Thanks in Advance!

Read this post about the difference between accrediation:

http://www.find-mba.com/board/8798

There seem to be very few schools in europe with AACSB accrediation. It's mostly an American thing.

AMBA and Equis are the two European accredation agencies. In the eyes of European employers, either seems to be as good, or better, than AACSB.

Although, arguably, if you want to work in the US afterwards AACSB may hold more weight. However, if its a multinational corporation they will also probably be familiar with the European standards.

But I don't think you can conclude that the University of Akron, for example, is better than Carlos III just because it has AACSB accrediation. AACSB acreds are given out like candy in the US, it seems, while in Europe the accrediation seems to be reserved for only the very best schools (Which usually also have AMBA and Equis accrediations.)

Equis is a broad business accrediation, while AMBA is for MBAs only. I think having one or the other is probably fine... both is ideal.

Neither EADA nor Carlos III have AACSB accrediation. However, EADA does have both AMBA and Equis. I think it is without a doubt the more prestigious of the two schools. But it's up to you whether you think its worth the extra expense! I think you could get a good quality of education at Carlos III, and I think employers will value the fact that you'll have international experience. Any extra accredations is just gravy, in my opinion...

All,

I?m a current MBA student at UC3M (Carlos III). I thought I?d share my experiences as I know there is limited info about their MBA programme. In my own case, it was only because I checked the quality of the course in person with the AMBA (their offices are near to mine in the City, London?s financial district) that I decided to apply.

This isn?t meant to sound like an advert, but I do feel that the information on their website just does not do the place justice! None of this is intended to offer comparison with anywhere else in Spain btw (including EADA) ? it?s just my personal experience. Here goes:

1) Small, diverse, international class - in my class of 29, we have 22 nationalities from 5 continents. Varied professional backgrounds. Ages from 23 to 37, median 27 or 28. Just under half are female.

2) Faculty is a mix of academics (backgrounds at MIT, Bocconi, IE, Harvard etc) and professionals (senior positions in consultancy, finance, energy, chemicals, engineering etc).

3) Practical approach ? lots of group work, practical cases and presentations. Teaching quality generally superb (a couple of exceptions). Some visits to companies (could do with more). Entrepreneurship class given by a venture capitalist managing her own fund!

4) Mix of technical and soft skills. Solid technical stuff, some very good soft skills training but could do with a bit more in my view.

5) Intense at times, but great fun. Very friendly atmosphere. Generally a co-operative approach to assignments. A few highly competitive exercises and negotiations mixed in.

6) The formal careers service could be much better. Some people do short work placements during the course, but these are poorly paid (by UK standards at least). There is however a lot of informal careers help available, and faculty is well connected and very willing to provide advice

7) School is within a university campus, so there are positives and negatives that come with that. For example, good value canteens, which are fine for students, but not somewhere you would necessarily want to take a client!

8) Limited orientation when you arrive in Spain ? there can be help but you need to ask for it. Don?t expect a nice shiny pack telling you things like how the house rental market works in Spain or how to go about getting a work permit if you want to do a placement. You?re pretty much left to fend for yourself here, although personally I think that is all part of the fun and challenge of living somewhere new!

Overall I?ve learnt a lot and I now know people from all over the world. I think the best description of UC3M is that it is a good, solid, ?no frills? MBA, and if you are a proactive person, then Carlos III could be an option for you. What I have learnt at UC3M will definitely help my career in a practical way, and the MBA has been the experience of a lifetime - Madrid is an incredible city!

Personally, prior to the MBA I had 7 yrs experience and I am doing the MBA through a 12 month career-break with my current employer (I work in corporate finance). My undergrad (all those years ago) was at a top UK university. I started looking at UC3M because it is accredited, I liked the thought of Madrid, and it is good value. Had it not been accredited I would not have given it a second look. I have subsequently discovered that as an institution it has a big name in Spain and Latin America, and is particularly known for business research.

I chose UC3M because for me the good value and the security of the accreditation out-weigh the disadvantage of it being less well-known than some others, particularly in the current economic climate. That decision is very much up to the individual, of course.

I hope this helps anyone who was trying to find out about Carlos III - good luck choosing what is right for you!

Can any body give more details about the job prospects,Industry visits and scholarships(if available)

thanks blaster, your post was really interesting!

hi ppl, i am from india,bangalore, and i got offer letter recently, any one joining this year 2009-2010 class, le me knw...

i feel Carlos has its own advantages like AMBA accreditation,which only 5 Spanish schools have,so u will study with ppl who have good work experience rated top spanish school in any website you check,faculty are good, heard likes from MIT n Harvard.

it is not well known may be bcoz it in getafe,and uni started only in 1989, althou jus 1 hour from madrid...so living in madrid would be cool, i am planning to do tht.

disadvantages is, classes r in evening, 5 to 8pm,english version, like UK gives 3 year work permit after MBA, spain does not give, language prob, since ppl speak only spain.

all de best,anyone joining for MBA 2009-2010 and let me know about the same.
also you can write me directly at [email protected]

Hi All,

I just start looking for a master programme for 2010-2011 term. I read quite good things about Carlos III. DOes Spanish goverment let you work in Spain at least for a year after graduation from a master degree?? pls let me know becasue I havemt seen any information about this. thanks to all...

hi eda

if u are from european union(EU) country, you wont have any prob with work permit, other wise yes there will be few hurdles to get over.

eninen -- what did you end up deciding? Was your family convinced?

Also, have you started your program? How are you liking it?

I'm from the U.S., too and am considering schools in Spain. Feedback from a fellow American would be awesome!