Dear all,

I'm wondering how to assess a certain program that is relatively new, the IESE Munich EMBA.

What I'd assume are the same:
- professors as on the other IESE EMBA programs
- curriculum of the other IESE EMBAs
- alumni of IESE

But how much should it influence my decision that they are a new location, and they don't have almost any track record? Typically in rankings they rank the "IESE EMBA" program and include all locations, but are rankings really applicable?

Since the relatively young age of the program, will it attract a good enough cohort? How much does cohort matter, can it be so bad that it'd influence the outcomes?

Munich is my preferred location, but would it make sense to investigate other comparative programs, like HEC Paris EMBA which would require more travel and would cost more, or other programs in Germany that are ranked lower on most rankings, i.e. is the difference so big that makes it worth the hassle?

My work experience is around 8 years and I'm in a managerial position in my company.

Thanks a lot for any advice/idea!

This depends on your goals. Which school has the most brand equity in your target area?

Duncan, thank you for your reply. 

So you'd not be concerned about the reputation of a new program, and would recommend focusing on purely the school and its brand equity in my field? 
I'd rephrase my question, as the reputation build-up is actually my major concern, not the selection among alternatives. (But actually both HEC and IESE have quite similar brand equity in my target area.)

Of course that's a newer location but certainly not a new programme. IESE is one of the oldest MBA programmes in Europe, and not other schools was so directly created by the efforts of Harvard Business School. If you are aiming at schools that are not traditional MBA employers, then the MBA might not be the right investment. However, otherwise I suggest you focus on the best MBA schools with the most alumni in your target firms/region/industry.