Hi all,

I am an Indian with gmat 720 and 28 months of Work exp currently. I am from a family business and I want to do an mba from Germany because we have many clients there and we are also planning on acquiring a German SME in 2015.

I had a chance to meet with WHU's dean and a professor, and came away impressed.

Considering my goals, do think an MBA from WHU would be worth it?

Thanks in advance.

It could be. What are your goals? You don't say.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for the quick reply.

In addition to a business network in Germany, my main goal is to manage a German business acquisition and depending on the circumstances managing the new company myself, which would need good understanding of the German business culture.

Hi Duncan,

Thanks for the quick reply.

In addition to a business network in Germany, my main goal is to manage a German business acquisition and depending on the circumstances managing the new company myself, which would need good understanding of the German business culture.

Hi Saroo,

Which schools would you recommend?

Why is it "urgent"?

If your focus is on Germany, then I'd think twice about a MBA in English. Maybe you should take a year to learn German at a university with a good alumni network? I think that would be a more effective way to really understand Germany. As Saroo says there are higher ranked schools, like Mannheim, but these are very externally-oriented. I think that WHU or HHL might meet your goals better than Mannheim, even if it's not the top school. WHU and HSG have the advantage of being the long-time leaders in business education, and have the most powerful alumni networks in Germany.

Also, remember that Germany is very regional. I'd recommend a school in the same region as the company you are planning to buy. Perhaps even the leaders this firm will make an alternative suggestion? For example, the MBA is not well known in the German Mittelstand. They might prefer it, and you might look more credible, if you took a bilingual or German-language MSc.

PS I can't over state how important it will be for you to speak accentless German.

It is urgent because the WHU app deadline is Dec 15. I want to apply for the 2014 class because that is when we will start looking for companies to acquire and hope to complete an acquisition by mid 2015. I have just started taking German classes and plan to continue the same during my MBA studies. Since, I do not know the location of the company I am acquiring, all I can say now is want to study in a business school with a strong alumni network in West Germany. Right now, all my clients and vendors are based in West Germany.

I want an MBA specifically, because outside Germany, especially in India an MBA carries more weight than MSc.

Regarding HSG, don't you think it is almost impossible for me get in because I belong to one of the unluckiest applicant demographics, i.e. an Indian Male?

HSG is more selective than WHU, yes.

How does WHU compare with HSG? And do think WHU is good bet for him?

Well, he's in the odd position of that he does not know the location of the company where he is going to be working. I think it's a risky strategy. His German won't improve much on an English-language programme in Germany's most international city, so I think it's much better to learn German first. However, part of the reason for the MBA is because he's not really committed to Germany. I think that lack of motivation is the problem, not the school.

HSG is a very old school, dating back to the 19th century. It's very selective (for example, they turned me down but I got into LBS, ESADE, RSM, EDHEC and EM Lyon) and it has a very strong network all across the German speaking region.

Hi Duncan,

Unfortunately, considering my uncommon background and goals, there are few people who can or are willing to give valuable advice. And despite the condescending tone of your last reply, I thank you for all your thoughts and really appreciate you taking time out to help.

I'm sorry if you find it condescending, but *you* were the one who said that you preferred an MBA in English to a course in German even if it's the worse option for preparing for Germany, because it's more accepted abroad. I think other readers will understand how that seems like a lack of motivation. Of course I don't know you, but the nature of the board is that I can only comment on what you are prepared to share. Obviously, I also offer this opinion as someone who has studied at one of the German schools discussed in this thread and knows the German market well.

Hi Duncan,

Unfortunately, considering my uncommon background and goals, there are few people who can or are willing to give valuable advice.