Hi there,

I am hoping to get some perspective on the best EMBA programs in Canada given my background and situation. The schools in consideration are Kellogg-Schulich (KS) and Rotman so far. I haven't done much research on Ivey, and Cornell-Queen's does not seem to offer the same value so have not even considered that program. I have also looked into online MBA programs from IE, Imperial, and Warwick but am heavily leaning against those programs given that I may not get as much value out of them when compared to EMBA, even though those programs cost much less.

As far as background, I have been working in risk management for over ten years in the financial industry within Toronto, have management experience, and a bachelors in business with major in finance. Within the last two years, I have been able leverage my background to break into the fintech industry and consulting industry separately. I ventured into both those industries because it seemed like they would be a great fit given my strengths, work environment preferences, the type of people I would get to build relationships with, and interest. I figured if I did not like working in those industries or felt that it was not a great fit that I could pivot back into the financial industry.

My goal in obtaining an MBA is primarily to enhance my leadership and business management skills, enhance my brand, and build a network of like-minded individuals for potential business opportunities in the future. My plan is to work in fintech or stay in consulting with no plans to move outside Toronto anytime soon. It would be an added bonus if I can leverage the MBA to break into another industry and/or work in a different country should I choose to do so in the future; otherwise, it would not be my focus for how the MBA would be utilized in my situation. Further out in the future, I may also want to start my own business where the MBA can be leveraged for its brand name and/or network to help grow the business.

I have in the past considered enrolling in an MBA program but have been dissuaded from pursuing it given that the educational content within it would be somewhat redundant compared to what I learned in undergraduate business school. One of the schools, Ivey in particular, would not even consider my application for their Accelerated MBA program given that I had much more experience than their average cohort profile and directed me towards their EMBA program instead. I have also been hesitant to enroll in an MBA program given its high costs and questionable return on investment, especially for programs within Canada.

My findings for KS and Rotman EMBA program are as follows specific to my background and perspective:

Rotman:
Positives
- strong brand name in Toronto/Canada
- larger local network in finance industry and closer to financial hub
- campus location more convenient and potentially easier to collaborate and build relations with cohort
- seems there are more executives within Toronto with Rotman/U of T as their alma mater
- successful application requires a diagnostic test (e.g., EDT/GMAT) which adds to rigor of candidates and program (could be a negative since this would mean it is more difficult to get into program)
- admissions staff have been very helpful and responsive in providing quality responses
- sample class content seemed very good
- per their brochure, they employ diverse learning styles such as case studies, lectures, teamwork, online study, simulations and experiential learning
- given experience interacting with admissions and a graduate, speaks to quality of program
- accredited by AACSB

Negatives
- curriculum comprises mostly of topics I have already learned in undergrad
- based on interactions within webinars seems a lot of candidates don't speak English as a first language which may make it more difficult to build relationships in program
- cost of program is about the same as KS but without the global electives, unique courses (relative to business undergrad), and affiliation with another brand name school
- only around 65 students? seems like a larger cohort would be better for networking purposes
- sample class session seemed like the instructor was not very engaged? Maybe they just had an off day or were just tired of going over the same educational content many times? :D

KS:
Positives
- strong US brand name affiliation and global focus may provide flexibility of branching into other countries for potential career/business opportunities
- larger cohort and global electives allow for greater networking opportunities
- more unique and interesting educational content relative to my business undergrad and Rotman IMO
- course content align better with my goals
- value for money seems greater given that it costs about the same as Rotman but offers a "dual" degree and opportunities to learn abroad with unique courses
- seems there are more individuals I have worked in the past and more senior professionals in consulting that are affiliated with York/Schulich (for Canada) or Kellogg (for US)
- schedule of program more flexible
- given good indication that I can get in without going through GMAT given my strong background
- accredited by AMBA and EQUIS

Negatives
- admissions staff do not seem as helpful or as professional as Rotman (e.g., their answers don't seem well thought-out and they seem very pushy)
- experienced many technical issues with their online application process which causes me to worry about the quality of their infrastructure
- location not as convenient

Aside from the above findings, I have also received positive feedback from a graduate from each of those programs through cold outreach (not based on referral). While there may have been bias in their feedback, it seemed like the graduates (at least those who were willing to respond to me) from KS were more accomplished or at least more ambitious.

Appreciate any feedback or perspectives on anything else I should consider in terms of factors and/or other schools I should look into given my situation. Thank you.

When I look at the advantages of the program at northwestern I see that downsides are mostly marginal factors that won't impact the value of the MBA itself.