What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.
Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?

They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work. 

It would be the best program in the world, but if you do to have the right to work in the US but want international professional mobility, it makes little sense. Study where you want to work. 

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 19, 2020]

Okay, so you want to stay in your country and you don't need a local business school network?

Okay, so you want to stay in your country and you don't need a local business school network?

I would be unbelievably excited to be in your shoes. Since it seems to fit your goals, you have an exceptional experience ahead of you! Consider blogging about your experiences.  

What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.

Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?



They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

[Edited by j172534 on Jun 22, 2020]

What is your perception of the program? I have offers from UCD, TCD, Bath, Gies (Management), Cranfield, Durham, SMU, ASU, Skema, Cass (finance). My undergraduate degree is in accounting and finance and I am currently interning at a startup In business development. I have worked in finance previously at 2 fortune 50 firms. The thing is that in the short run I hope to migrate to Canada but the FT rankings portray a dismal picture of the business masters in the country, not to mention that an Ivey MSc in management is almost twice as expensive as most of the other unis I have offers from.


Do you think the uni of Illinois has a good reputation In Canada and I could get a job in the field of analytics or finance? I heard that the iMBA curriculum is not rigorous. What do you think the iMSM experience is going to be like in terms of rigor? What do you think about the online MIT finance micro masters or a Cass online diploma to compliment my masters in management from Illinois?





They have also informed me that the class strength will be about 150 for the iMSM. I do plan on pursuing the business data management specialisation in the program which is pretty unique I think.

Congrats on getting all those offers!
May I ask what questions did the admissions team ask in the interview? Is it similar to MBA programs' interviews? I am waiting for my interview for iMSM and would love to prepare more for it!
Hope you find the right program! Thank you!

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 23, 2020]

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum? 

I don't think any US-based online MBA program will get you very far in Canada. I checked LinkedIn and something like 0.1% of all users in a search for 'MBA' in Canada have UIUC as a connected school. This tells me that the school's network is not very deep in the country. 

"study where you want to work" as Duncan mentioned above - I completely agree with this. The Canadian schools will have the best networks across the country. 

And just getting permission to work in the country will also be another challenge...

Very nice. Congradulation!

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum? 

@smartcanada do you think Illinois has a good rep amongst employers in Canada? Would anyone else like to share their perception regarding the iMSM and it's curriculum? 

Canada is an egalitarian society and the concept of prestige is not the same as the US.  The Illinois MBA would be treated as no worse or better than any other Canadian online MBA (e.g. Athabasca).  Similar to Athabasca, the degree will benefit you if you want to advance in your current career in Canada.  Just like Athabasca, I don't think an online degree, by itself, will help you land a job in Canada if you are a recent immigrant.  For that, you need a full-time MBA, not for the prestige, but for the contacts and access to career services.  

[Edited by Ghentuni on Jun 26, 2020]

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

Outcomes from Rotman are, obviously, much better than from unranked universities.

Very nice. Congradulation!

No I think there are just logistical and cohort factors that make full-time programs better fo hiring managers. Anyone who looks closely at how Gies supplements the coursera elements will see that they bring great selectivity to the degree. My guess around 100,000 people have started on a iMBA specialization and only a few thousand have made it into the degree. People know it's a heavyweight, serious, integrated MBA. But on campus you can attend events, get socialisation, and being full-time you are free for interview, able to do internships are so on. 

No I think there are just logistical and cohort factors that make full-time programs better fo hiring managers. Anyone who looks closely at how Gies supplements the coursera elements will see that they bring great selectivity to the degree. My guess around 100,000 people have started on a iMBA specialization and only a few thousand have made it into the degree. People know it's a heavyweight, serious, integrated MBA. But on campus you can attend events, get socialisation, and being full-time you are free for interview, able to do internships are so on. 

That makes sense. It's very hard for 99.99% of schools to give careers support to people who live in a different region.