Hey MBA community,
I’m at a crossroads and could really use your insights. I’ve been accepted to both the Ivey and RSM full-time MBA programs, with a generous scholarship from Ivey covering nearly 50% of tuition. However, I’m struggling to decide which path to take, and here’s why:
Ivey: The top-ranked program in Canada, with a good reputation for its community and learning experience. But I’ve been hearing some concerning things about Canada’s economic situation—rising inflation, limited career growth, and a high cost of living. Add to that the harsh winters, and I’m wondering if Canada is a sustainable option long-term.
RSM: The Netherlands, on the other hand, seems to offer more opportunities within Europe and even places like the UAE. But when it comes to the quality of the program, and career services, RSM doesn’t quite seem to match up. Conversations with current students and alumni haven’t painted the most glowing picture of the learning experience or the bonds between the community—especially compared to Ivey, where alumni rave about the lifelong connections and the value they gained from the program.
Career outcomes seem fairly similar between the two schools, but I’m torn because Ivey stands out in terms of the community and program quality, while RSM has the edge in terms of post-graduation life and broader opportunities in Europe.
As for my career path, it’s still evolving. I’m leaning toward consulting, but I haven’t fully committed to it yet. I recognize that waiting for perfect clarity might mean delaying opportunities, so I’m ready to make a decision and move forward. If I were completely certain about my goals, I’d likely find my way without the need for an expensive MBA. So, while career alignment is important, I’m seeking a broader, more flexible approach that can accommodate different possibilities.
If I do choose consulting, language could be an issue in the Netherlands, whereas that’s not a problem in Canada. But then again, only 10-12% of Ivey grads get into MBB, and RSM’s numbers for MBB are even lower.
Life in the Netherlands could be better—lower crime, more stable incomes, and the weather (while not great) is still miles better than Canada’s winters. But I’ve also heard that career progression in Europe isn’t all that strong either. I've been trying to understand which country offers better opportunities overall.
So, what would you do if you were in my shoes? Is there something I’m missing in this decision-making process? Also, if anyone here has studied at either Ivey or RSM, I’d love to hear your experiences and insights. Your feedback would be incredibly valuable in helping me make this decision!

Based on the information you've shared, here are a few key thoughts to consider as you make this important decision:

1. Career goals: While consulting is a possibility, it seems you're still exploring options. Both programs could potentially support a consulting path, but Ivey may have a slight edge for MBB placement in Canada. That said, RSM's European location could open up more diverse opportunities across industries and countries.

2. Program quality and experience: Ivey appears to have the advantage here, with strong alumni reviews of the community and learning experience. This is an important factor, as the MBA is an intensive experience and the network you build can be extremely valuable long-term.

3. Location and long-term prospects: The Netherlands does seem to offer some quality of life advantages over Canada (milder weather, potentially lower cost of living). However, language could be a barrier for some roles. Canada's economic challenges are worth considering, but keep in mind economic conditions can change over time.

4. Financial considerations: The substantial scholarship from Ivey is significant and shouldn't be overlooked. This could reduce your financial burden and ROI timeline.

5. Global mobility: If you're interested in opportunities beyond just Canada or the Netherlands, RSM's location in Europe might provide easier access to roles across the EU and potentially the Middle East.

Given these factors, here's what I would advise:

1. Dig deeper into specific career outcomes for international students at both schools, especially in fields you're considering beyond consulting. Look at employment reports and reach out to recent alumni.

2. Critically evaluate your comfort level with potentially needing to learn Dutch for some roles if you choose RSM. Are you prepared for that investment?

3. Consider your long-term goals beyond just your first post-MBA job. Which location aligns better with where you want to be in 5-10 years?

4. Don't underestimate the value of program quality and network. Ivey's strong reviews in this area are a significant point in its favor.

5. Evaluate the total cost of attendance (including living expenses) for both options, factoring in Ivey's scholarship. This could impact your decision and future financial flexibility.

Ultimately, both are strong options. If the program experience and network are top priorities, Ivey might be the better choice, especially with the scholarship. If you're prioritizing European career options and quality of life factors, RSM could be the way to go.

I'd encourage you to have frank conversations with the career services teams at both schools about your specific situation and goals. Their insights on realistic outcomes for someone with your background could be invaluable in making this decision.

Hey, to start both are great schools you cannot really go wrong with both. Ivey is a great brand for Canada and the US (potentially). For the middle east or Europe go for RSM. MBA schools really have their targeted countries and alumni network. In the Netherlands, you don't need to know Dutch (a lot of international companies have HQ there :)

Best advice I can give you is to think long term: Where do you see yourself living + working. And potentially have children (if you want some) and more importantly feel happy and safe :)


Good luck!

[Edited by Andy776 on Oct 16, 2024]

RSM MBA here. MBA as a degree is not a well utilized/advertised in EU. Yes, exception would be consulting or PE/VC. Then again on financial roles in EU its more from early career masters or Ph.D. economics having traditionally a better shot. Unsurprisingly, the master program in RSM (MiM ) or HEC is more well known than MBA of Insead. I mean no comparison here but even for a non consulting MNC corporate , we tend to go by work ex and label of past companies worked with more than the uni label.

To sum up MBA as a degree is generally less known in EU. People go by last work ex and last company name brand. In RSM you will recoup your study cost in 4 years. Salaries are lower than US. Living cost total is about 3K / month if living in AMS elsewhere in South Holland 2.5K. Couple would be 4K in AMS / 3.5K. Starting post-MBA net/pm (excluding bonus ) 5K ... Pro : Work-life balance + Mental Peace; Con: Slow career growth ( EU is dying)

Canada is anyway not in news for nice business / innovation / significant investment and more for geopolitical or inhouse social issues. Not sure what is a big prospect there unless one can shift to US. I may be less aware of prospects there but looking from EU US is the place to be to grow.

Hi Duncan,

I hope all’s well on your end. I’d be really grateful if you could share your thoughts on this post—yours is one of the perspectives I always look forward to. Stuart, Andy, and Kaushik have shared some strong points, but if there’s anything additional you’d like to add, I’d love to hear it. I’m still wrestling with making a firm decision and could use all the insight I can get.

Thanks so much in advance! Really hoping you find this comment :)

My take: it doesn't matter how good Ivey and RSM are. Start with the end in mind, and then pick the best route there.

My take: it doesn't matter how good Ivey and RSM are. Start with the end in mind, and then pick the best route there.

I think the key things are:
- Among the most open markets for international talent, then a lit of foreign students go there but they tend to not need to invest the time to acculturate before the enter the labour market.
- There's something a 'glass ceiling' between foreign and local talent, and you can expect variation in salary outcomes, especially in Canada.
- These are countries with strong undergraduate and MSc provision by business schools, and the domestic route to the MBA is often the EMBA part-time route. As a result the full-time MBA is generally a path for international students. MBA are often funnelled into functional roles rather than onto a general management pathway, which would require more acculturation and leadership skills.

This is why you need to focus on your goals. It's weird to be unsure in the choice between two countries with such huge differences in values, climate and daily lives.

It's weird to be unsure in the choice between two countries with such huge differences in values, climate and daily lives.

Don't evaluate the countries against each other. Evaluate them against your goals. Start with the end in mind. Where do you want to retire? Where do you want to live? What are your values? Which of these societies is closer to your idea of community etc. You are not comparing MBA designs here; you are selecting which continent to live in. Do not make this choice based on the school. Some more practical questions to consider:
- Which industries in these markets match your background?
- Do you have connections or experience in either country?
- Have you looked at the employment reports from schools in both markets?

Look at the discussion threads and market data for Canada and the Netherlands. Here's what I think you'll find:

Canada:
- Major schools like Ivey, Rotman, and Smith show strong placement rates across broad industries
- The post-graduation work permit provides up to 3 years to gain Canadian experience
- Documents show Canadian employers value local work experience - making internships particularly valuable
- Recent grads from Queen's/Smith demonstrate movement into consulting (Big 4) and financial services
- Tech sector growth in Toronto and Vancouver creates opportunities in product management and operations

Netherlands:
- RSM Rotterdam stands out for supply chain/operations roles due to Rotterdam's position as Europe's largest port
- The discussion threads highlight that Dutch companies often provide visa sponsorship for technical/specialized roles
- English is widely used in business, making it easier for international graduates compared to other European markets
- Dutch companies recruit heavily in sustainable business and clean tech sectors
- The orientation year visa gives graduates 12 months to find work without employer sponsorship

For both markets:
- Banking/financial services tend to recruit from local schools
- Tech companies show openness to international candidates
- Manufacturing/operations roles prefer candidates with relevant pre-MBA experience