Does it make a difference if I have a good story on my essay? For instance I am a chartered accountant (ACCA) and I have done audits in 2 other African countries outside my home country,I guess that counts for international experience.

International experience is good, but I doubt that would set you apart from the slew of other candidates that are competing for limited spots.

As mba hipster suggested, your GMAT score is low. Now, this isn't the end-all-be-all of MBA applications, but for the schools, the GMAT serves as an easy way to filter out applicants who may not do as well in an MBA program.

But they'll generally be flexible on the GMAT scores when it comes to a few issues: to encourage diversity in the cohort, they'll look more closely at under-represented students, for example. Or, if a candidate has a really compelling story - if you overcame great hardships in your life, or have done something particularly important.

From where can i get placements report for UCT GSB?

From them, obviously?

Haha! I meant is it hosted anywhere on the internet or their website?

As per the discussions on this forum, it seems that UCT GSB is pretty much a regional school, which is both good and bad depending upon one's career goals. Good in a way that most MNCs will recruit from this school as there is little competition and bad because the school doesn't seem to have international connections, so employment opportunities pretty much restricted within SA. Thats my initial feeling.

Any response from the experts?

Thanks!

Yes most UCT alumni with MBAs are in South Africa. Some are in the UK, UK or Australia. Looking on LinkedIn, top employers seem to be:
Standard Bank Group (37)
Accenture (31)
University of Cape Town (31)
Old Mutual (23)
McKinsey & Company (22)
SABMiller (21)
Nedbank (19)
Absa (15)
Deloitte (14)
Ernst & Young (13)
AngloGold Ashanti (13)

PS with the exception of Accenture, Deloitte and E&Y, UCT doesn't have a big base in most of the top ten MBA-hiring MNCs world worldwide, global banks and the other IT providers.

Exactly. Most of the students (70+%)in the UCT program are domestic students, who want to stay in the country.

That said, since it's ranked by the FT, it is perhaps the most internationally visible of all the South African business schools. It has a higher proportion of international students than a school like Wits - and there's a relatively good chance for international students to land jobs in SA after graduation.

But all of this is mostly representative of the country in general - it's not the same kind of immigration destination as the US or European countries.

How's is the scene for international students who want to work in South Africa? Say for example, if there are 20 foreign students, how many of them end up working for the likes of MBB and how many for local companies ("local" in this context means only SA.)

Also, for the same companies, are the salaries in UCT comparable to salaries from the bigger universities (European/ US)

Thanks!

Hi all, as mentioned previously I am a current modular MBA student at UCT and work for a VC fund in SA.

I would say GMATpapa's veiw is accurate - UCT is easily the best option for any MNC/MC/IB in SA, however, the brand is not particularly strong outside UK/Aus/NZ (and even there I wouldnt say it would open too many doors relative to local options). UCT is the only SA school we recruit MBA's from 3 of which work in the Cape Town office.

Having said that, one very effective route that can be taken is to use the MBA to enter a local branch of an MBB office for example from which it would be possible to transfer to most international locations within 18-24 months. For example an MBA student last year from Ireland got role in McKinsey JHB after which he would have the option of re-locating. Similarly, top foreign candidates from large IB's in the US (GS and MS) have been succesful in landing great local jobs in both banking and private equity in SA. In general, there are progressively more top foreign candidates using the GSB as a channel to some excellent opportunities in SA, however, if you plan to immediately seek work abroad I would consider other options.

Oh and yes salary is exactly the same - MBB CTC in SA for all MBA's is R1.2-R1.3 pa regardless of whether you are from HBS or UCT.

Really interesting post, thanks Greg.

In general, there are progressively more top foreign candidates using the GSB as a channel to some excellent opportunities in SA

In South Africa the majority of job options available to foreign grads is much more about your previous background than the MBA itself so many of the foreign guys would go into something broadly related to what they have prior experience in but use the MBA as a soft landing platform to build both skills and networks in the region.

Having said that, Investment Banking/Consulting are two industries that do recruit top MBA's from the school with a range of backgrounds from engineering to medicine so these would be two of the most popular routes for a career change as well as VISA sponsorship.

Out of interest, here is a video profile recently launched on the MBA by AMBA which gives quite a nice overview:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_5Q_5K0WEE&feature=youtu.be

Gotcha, thanks for that!

Hi,
I just finished my GMAT and scored 560 (Q 44, V23). Have 1.5 years work experience. What are the colleges that i can apply for?

Thanks in advance

Read Shortcut to find the best US MBA www.find-mba.com/board/36065 and Pre-experience masters in the USA www.find-mba.com/board/23411

Hi,
I just finished my GMAT and scored 560 (Q 44, V23). Have 1.5 years work experience. What are the colleges that i can apply for?

Thanks in advance

Was preferably looking schools in Canada or any other courses related to banking. Any part of the world would do but my first choice will be Canad

I agree with Ralph - there aren't that many accredited business schools that will even look at candidates with fewer than two years of work experience.

HEC Montreal does have a ranked MSc in Management program, which might be worth looking into... Although compared to other ranked master in management program, the program's stats for employment after graduation do not look exceptional.

Hi,
I have 10+ years of experience in mid management level,average acads(GPA 3 out of 4 from a premier Indian Institute) but low GMAT 570.
I can retake GMAT but I will have to waste another year and add one yr of experience,which can be good and at the same time can be bad.
I am anticipating VISA problems also and that's why avoiding USA universities.
1> Can you please tell me whether my worries are justified.
2> Whether I should apply with present score /re take GMAT/ concentrate on some particular region or countries
3>Which are universities I can apply with this profile.

I work with a Central Govt PSU in India.