As I was searching the net trying to find more about my thoughts of going for a MIB/MIM or MBA, I felt upon your site which I must acknowledge it was worthwhile exploring it.

So having said that, I shall go forward with my profile:
- Undergraduate studies in tourism business administration: Higher education public institute in Greece with GPA 6,37.
- Work experience/internship: 5 years in total/2 years in mid-level management position
- Extracurricular activities: attended in business seminars in my home country and also trainings seminars in my current company I work for (Robinson Club hotel-branch from TUI AG ).
- speak 3 languages: Greek, English and German. I am planning to give the ielts in September/Oktober but I am very confident a will get an above average grade.
-no GMAT or GRE nor I intend to because of the time required.

According to my qualifications which business schools or unis do you suggest I?d focus on and apply? From my research I?ve seen that I don?t match the credentials to get into top B-schools or not(like WHU,Manheim,HHL,GISMA etc.)?Tuition fees are not insignificant matter, however I could perhaps get a sponsorship from my firma or otherwise I ?ll look for other ways to cover the costs. I ?d prefer to study in Germany or a German speaking country so that I could develop my language skills and also to explore the working chances there. My goal is to increase my business knowledge and network so that I could move into upper management positions in hospitality industry or/and why not in another industry.

Looking forward for your response.

With best regards

I understand why you'd like to move fast, but it will be a much better return on investment if you take the GMAT.

Maybe take a look at the Universität Hannover, Hochschule Bremen and Universität Hamburg if you want to stay with TUI.

I agree with Duncan. At the stage you're at in your career, taking the GMAT will be the most effective thing you could do to increase the value of an MBA.

From my research I?ve seen that I don?t match the credentials to get into top B-schools or not(like WHU,Manheim,HHL,GISMA etc.)?

First of all thank you both (Duncan and Ralph) for your quick responses and suggestions.
Duncan I must say that:
i) Bremen Hochschule. Plus :no GMAT and only 1 year for completion. Cons: the MBA offered is dual degree and that is not in my intentions and also it ?s not accredited(especially MBA in tourism),
ii) Uni Hamburg. Plus: the MiBA is accredited by ACQUIN and it has almost no tuition fees, no GMAT required. Cons: 2 years for completion,
iii)Uni Hannover has got no MBA,I think you mean GISMA. Plus: it?s my favorite one ?cause it ?s near TUI as you ?ve said before, AACSB accredited, very well-known international. Cons: GMAT required, high tuition fees
.
From these 3 I?d prefer GISMA and then UNI Hamburg.

Ralph I can understand the weight of importance why I should have to write the GMAT, but in real terms it?s just a matter of time right now that I don?t have. I will try to find some hours in the week but I cannot focus exclusively in studying for the test, maybe from November and so.
Are there any other schools that you ?ve got in mind?

With deep appreciation thank you again for your time spending.

GISMA *is* the graduate business school of the university of Hannover. Graduates from their full-time programme get both a university of Hannover degree and a Purdue degree.

The fees aren't really that high: it's less than half the price of what you'd pay at Purdue.

ACQUIN accreditation is a minimum standard: the vast majority of German MBAs (which are terrible) have it.

Duncan thank you for your clarification for GISMA. I am getting familiar with the idea of taking the GMAT test as soon as possible as you and Ralph are suggesting.I 've ordered some books like McGraw-Hills Conquering the GMAT so that i could prepare myself mostly with night reading.Perhaps i could apply and then fill the future results to my application later if possible.Thank you again for your guidance so far.When i have something more concrete i will write again for further advice.

With best regards,

Hi Elian,

I think that you are underestimating yourself. I certainly understand why you want to dodge the GMAT. Have you considered still trying to get into a top-10 business school? Not many people know, but IE in Spain (for example) does not require you necessarily to have the GMAT, but you can get their own test. The dates for the tests are on their website and they are often in different countries at the same time (so you can pick the most suitable). I would suggest if you don't like the idea of evening reading for a few months to at least try to do their test. There are others in the rankings that offer the same. IE is also well connected in terms of Tourism and even better than the German list (I would say).

Niels
MBA Q&A

Niels, this person has stated that they want to study in the German-speaking region. IE has, as far as I can see, no alumni network in the German-speaking tourism/hospitality industry (other than a tourism attache at the embassy). St Gaalen and Bremen (and WHU and Lueneburg) would be better.

If this person wanted to study outside Germany and then return there, then the ESSEC-IMHI degree would be a far better choice for networking than IE. IMHI was run as a partnership with the Cornell School of Hotel Management for 25 years, and also leverages ESSEC's very strong alumni base.

If this person wanted to study outside Germany and then return there, then the ESSEC-IMHI degree would be a far better choice for networking than IE. IMHI was run as a partnership with the Cornell School of Hotel Management for 25 years, and also leverages ESSEC's very strong alumni base.

Thank you again for replying to my thread.Niels as i said before i'd like to pursue my studies at a german speaking country.I don't undervalue of course the others but i' like to take my future chances there firstly.Ralph what do you mean with OP?I 've taken a quick look at WU,it looks very good and sound but as you said it needs GMAT.I have until the end of November or mid-December to take the test and thenapply to the schools of my choice(which i might say you 've influenced quite a bit).When i limit my choices to a list of 4-5 schools then i shall post again so that you can give me a better view of the prospectives of each one.

OP = the Other Person (in this case, he means you)

I 've taken a quick look at WU,it looks very good and sound but as you said it needs GMAT.

Ralph what do you mean with OP?

On the subject of Germany.... I just watched this cute video from HHL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G8pvLZ94DY

Trully nice video Duncan.Plain,informative,well prepared,a good guide for the school, viewing the prospectives of studying there.By the way Niels,WU needs for : a)the Professional MBA work experience 14 years and from that management experience 6 years b)the executive MBA work experience 12 years and from that management experience 5 years.As far as tourism it has got only a Tourism & Event Management Certificate Program.Thank you for your suggestion but i will stick in my plan studying for the gmat for a start and applying from november to some specific schools i have now in mind.Yours and everybody elses in this foroum advices though are very much welcomed.So when i've got in a few months my results the i 'll get back to ask for guidance if required.

On the subject of Germany.... I just watched this cute video from HHL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G8pvLZ94DY

Their embas offer is quite interesting

I guess I am pretty late to this discussion but here is what you could try as well. I havent seen anyone mention these schools at all.

1. Hochschule Pforzheim- AACSB accreditation, brilliant curriculum and if you research a bit online- you will get to know that this is one of the best Hochschule in Germany. The fees are comparatively cheaper and even the alumni is well placed. Good CHE Rankings and star rated by DAAD.

2. ESB Reutlingen - AACSB again. Highly ranked and a very active placement cell. You are well in time for the semester starting March 2013.

3. Goethe Business School - I am a bit lazy here, do your own research but these are schools worth looking at considering the job experience and profile that you have. Will be happy to answer any specific application questions related to Pforzheim, Offenburg, Coburg, HFU, IGC Bremen and SRH Berlin (dont go for SRH Berlin..lol)

Use the search on the Europe discussion board. There's a lot of discussion on every school.

Thank you avigyandutta for your reply to my thread and your school suggestions,I 'll look into it.No one is late by the way as i am taking into consideration every possible aspect of where to study.As i 've said earlier i am into reading phase for the gmat right now so that i could increase my chances of getting accepted in a rather good business school wcich requires this test.When i have taken the results from the test then i 'll come for further instructions and advice from you and anybody else that are in position to guide the way and answer some of my queries.