Hi,

I am an electronics engineer who decided to get into management. I did a lot of research and decided to apply to a few schools but ended up applying to just 2. IE Madrid and MBS and was successful in both. Now i am in a position where it is hard to choose from. I have got some points that i have given consideration. Need advice if i have missed anything.

For IE:
1) Ranking on most of the Ranking sites is awesome.
2) IE brand is better known over the world than MBS (?)
3) The placement is better than MBS
4) I hav an exotic attraction to Madrid.
5) Being in Europe means better job prospects(?)

For MBS:
1) Being an NZ citizen, Oz will be easier as its cheaper than IE and wont need things like health insurance etc.
2) Has an internship choice. Will suit me betteras i come from an engineering background and would be good to get some contacts.
3) Is a lot cheaper option.
4) I like working in the asia pacific region.

What i want to know is, when i am ready to spend the moolah to get an MBA from a top school like IE (compared to MBS), is it worth? What else should i compare?

Please throw in a few more ideas that may help me decide.

Thanks in advance.

I would go to Melbourne. I think you'll find the education and facilities better there, and the internship makes a huge difference. What makes the Spanish schools rank so highly is the booming economy in Latin America: students go to Barcelona, Madrid or Lisbon for their MBAs and then go home to earn salaries far in excess of the Spanish market. Imagine how Australian schools would do if the country spoke Chinese...

IE is less well known that MBS in Asia. MBS also had a great new dean, who taught me at London Business School. I know that his emphasis will be on solidifying MBS in its 'local' market. So if you don't want to work in Latin America... then choose MBS and then come and spend a month in Spain after you graduate!

If you are looking for anything better in terms of ranking in the Asia/Australasia region it would be INSEAD Singapore.

Matt, your comment makes me think about something. This person wants to get into management. Both INSEAD and MBS are primarily schools for consulting and finance, with two thirds of their students going into those areas. Only a tenth of its students will go into general management. I think general management jobs will take a longer job-search and an internship will be helpful.I think the ten-month format at INSEAD is great for people who want to be hired through on-campus recruiting, but for folk who need time for their own job search maybe year and a half at Melbourne. MBS also allows an international exchange, which would allow him ten locations in Asia, not just SIngapore.

Looking at their employment reports, INSEAD graduates in general management actually learn 10% less then MBS grads in general management.

Hi Duncan, good input. You do have a point. The INSEAD Singapore MBA does have its advantages, especially with its international focus. Their curriculum also provides useful selection for elective modules focusing on Management e.g. Decision Sciences, Technology & Operations etc.. The INSEAD MBA experience is really demanding in terms of workload and preparation. But as you have said, MBS has an international exchange which would tip the balance if one is keen on such an option.

Hi Matt. Are those advantages that MBS does not have? Both those MBAs are roughly half core and half electives. They both offer around 75 courses spread over a range of topics. However, Melbourne's electives are all in Melbourne, while some INSEAD electives are on only one campus. Furthermore Melborne's international exchange means the electives of ten other schools are also on offer. Since MBS gets high salaries than INSEAD for general management, I don't think INSEAD really has a big advantage over MBS for this candidate.

Hi Duncan, I do concur with you. I only meant for the INSEAD MBA program to be an option to be considered.