Hello everyone,

I would like your opinion on my profile and suggestions on which schools I should target.

Age: 24, Male, Indian
GMAT: 720


Interest: IT/Technology. But not 100% decided on what track I would like to chose.
Geography: Looking for programs in US/Canada/Europe

Here is the list of universities/programs that I have shortlisted so far:

Europe:
- University of Mannheim: Masters in Management
- University of Muenster: MSc in Information Systems
- HS Pforzheim MBA in International Management
- Aalto University: Masters in International Business

German language knowledge - nil. But I am going to start learning German in couple of months.
I really liked Pforzheim MBA course structure and the fact that it has integrated German language booster course. Also the course is AACSB accredited and fee is affordable. But I am not sure whether it is good for my profile. So I would like to know your opinions about it.

Did you read http://www.find-mba.com/board/29599 ?

Did you read http://www.find-mba.com/board/29599 ?

Unless you have foreign language skills, then go to the US. Prioritise the schools roughly in line with the rankings of their MBAs.

Good advice from Duncan.

To elaborate, the language would be an issue, especially in Germany, if you wanted to stay in the country and work after graduation. You'd probably be able to secure a work visa, but without solid German skills, it would be tough to land a good job.

If you're planning on immediately returning to your home country, and just want to study abroad, then CEU would be a very good choice, considering the low fees and low cost of living. There's also a large international community in Budapest, so landing a job in an English-speaking environment is a bit more likely, although it's still not a given.

Thanks for the reply Duncan, ezra.

Between CEU and Pforzheim, which would be better? Asking this because Pforzheim has AACSB. But I guess in terms of brand and opportunities, CEU is better?

Personally, I think I would choose Pforzheim but most student will be better off at the CEU. At Pforzheim you have more courses and the opportunity for an in-depth thesis as well as German language courses. It has a good range of marketing electives. CEU, however, has much strong concentrations and can one semester shorter because there's no thesis. The CEU has has a very strong boardroom exercise (Durham has something slightly similar). If you have time for the extra semester than, instead of a thesis, you can go to one of the CEU's exchange schools -- which are much better than those of Pforzheim.

I think your profile can be suitable for a well-ranked MBA which adds a lot more values to yourself than an MSc.

Yes, but remember that the starting salary from the MSc at the HSG is going to be higher than for the MBA at CEU. The 'academic' quality of students and alumni network will also be better.

PS The experiences are quite different: not just the courses but also the cities: St Gallen is a very small town, really in the middle of nowhere.

Thank you Duncan for your replies.

Even I liked Pforzheim course structure and the option to study German parallel to normal courses. One major reason why I want to study abroad is to experience new things apart from the basic program itself. The thought of learning new culture, language, excites me. Otherwise I can apply to a good Indian school if I just want to get MBA. But as this might be the last degree program that I will attend, I want it to be a different and enriching experience, not just a way to earn more money.
CEU MBA also looks good. I will apply to both.

HSG SIM also looks very good considering FT ranking and average salaries. I have a query regarding this program.
According to the website, tuition per semester is ~1760 euro (2126 CHF)
and living expenses ~2000 CHF or ~1650 euro!
So living expenses total around 29700 euro!! Is this calculation correct? living expenses so high?

donho199, Thanks. I am aware that my profile can probably fetch me better MBA admits. But I do not have sufficient resources to pay for those programs and am not convinced to take a huge loan.

Yes, I think it's reasonable to expect Switzerland to be around the twice the price of the surrounding countries.

According to the website, tuition per semester is ~1760 euro (2126 CHF)
and living expenses ~2000 CHF or ~1650 euro!
So living expenses total around 29700 euro!! Is this calculation correct? living expenses so high?

What are your long-term career goals? If you're planning on going back to India after graduation, there's an argument to be made for going with the CEU MBA program (especially since the cost of living in Budapest is so much lower.)

I think the St. Gallen program would be more beneficial if you wanted to end up working in Switzerland or somewhere else in Western Europe.

Yes. For an MBA role you would need German. Internal and external customers speak German, and they cannot explain requirements as well in English. Just because IT people can read documentation or program in English that doesn't mean their clients will comfortably and fluently work in it.

Mannheim is a strong school.

There is a column in the FT MSc ranking to show those who do, or do not require a business degree. Only one of the top six schools does.

Yes. For an MBA role you would need German. Internal and external customers speak German, and they cannot explain requirements as well in English. Just because IT people can read documentation or program in English that doesn't mean their clients will comfortably and fluently work in it.

Mannheim is a strong school.

There is a column in the FT MSc ranking to show those who do, or do not require a business degree. Only one of the top six schools does.