Hello to every one,

My name is Nicholas, and I'm in the process of selecting the right MBA programs for 2021 and preparing for my GMAT. I'll share my profile and objectives with you to get your feedback about making the right choices according to my objectives and profile.

Profile:
- 33 years old
- Man
- From chile

 Academics:


- Computer Engineering with a 3.7 GPA. Award as the best student of his generation.
- IT Project Management Diploma with a 3.7 GPA. Award as the best student of his generation
- During my undergraduate period, I also was an assistant professor and published a paper in a Latin-American telecommunications congress.

Professional career:
More than 8 years of experience. I started with technological entrepreneurship, and after it was bought, I joined the corporate world. My last 4 years have been as the Head of Data and Artificial Intelligence departments in Retail and Telecommunications industries, running up to 90 people teams.

GMAT: Preparing it, but given my high workload and been so long away from the books that I don't think I'm going to have a stellar score (700+). Actually, my expectation is being in the range of 620-650 points.

Objectives:
Develop my business skills, leadership in multi-cultural scenarios, enhance my professional network, and work in Europe (Spain and the UK are my main targets mainly because of language) in technology leader companies, such as Google, Microsoft, AWS, or e-commerce companies, for instance, Amazon, Ikea, Walmart, among others.

In the long term, 5-6 years later, more or less, I would evaluate to come back again to Latin-America.

Programs I'm looking for:

- Tech MBA from IE
Pros:
- I already applied with the ieGAT instead of the GMAT, and I'm just waiting for the feedback of the Admissions Committee.
- The only program in Europe with a strong emphasis on technology and a specialization in my area, Data & AI.
Cons:
- Brand recognition. Even though it does well in rankings, it isn't well known globally (at least my perception).
- I haven't read good things about the quality of the students and the academic content of the program

- Full-Time MBA from IESE
Pros:
- Strong on rankings and brand recognition in Europe and Latin America.
- Based on what I have read in this forum, the alumni's quality is really good.
- Strong academic program
Cons:
- Longer program and more expensive, which means a higher cost of opportunity

- Full-Time MBA from Oxford
Pros:
- Great brand worldwide recognized, it could be a great career accelerator
- UK has a stronger technological industry in comparison to Spain
Cons:
- Not much network in Latin America, though isn't my main priority

I will be looking forward to your feedback!

[Edited by nicholas87 on Nov 22, 2020]

iESE would be the best of these schools, and ESADE would be a strong second and well above your other suggestions. 

Given the level you're already operating at as Head of Data and AI managing a large team of 90 people, I wonder if an MBA with such a strong emphasis on technology might not be the right option? Perhaps a general MBA would be better? AI and machine learning is  moving so fast, I'm not sure a school like IESE is a good fit and you might be better off doing a more business focused MBA with a specialised short course online with a real leader in that field like Stanford, MIT or Harvard for example?

iESE would be the best of these schools, and ESADE would be a strong second and well above your other suggestions. 

Given the level you're already operating at as Head of Data and AI managing a large team of 90 people, I wonder if an MBA with such a strong emphasis on technology might not be the right option? Perhaps a general MBA would be better? AI and machine learning is  moving so fast, I'm not sure a school like IESE is a good fit and you might be better off doing a more business focused MBA with a specialised short course online with a real leader in that field like Stanford, MIT or Harvard for example?

Stanford, MIT and IE don't have the same network as Iese or Esade in Latin America or (Catholic) Europe. With this person's MBA expectations, Esade is their best bet. 

Stanford, MIT and IE don't have the same network as Iese or Esade in Latin America or (Catholic) Europe. With this person's MBA expectations, Esade is their best bet. 

Absolutely. No-one will learn bleeding-edge tech in a masters degree.