Hi!

Let's start with a short brief about myself:
- 30 years old,
- MSc from Cranfield University,
- 6 years of professional experience (in the UK),
- 3'rd year in engineering/management consultancy role (Risk),
- EU citizen - with an application for UK passport started.

I am looking for advice!

For a while now I have been looking for a way - and best approach to do an EMBA/MBA course.
A friend of mine just dropped from work, got prodigy finance and joined Insead in Paris... I don't think I have the b***s to do it that way, hence I'm considering EMBA.

I work in London fortunately, there is a selection of top schools in the city from which I considered 4 for my shortlist:

- LBS, - because it is a top school!
- CASS, - because it has a strong financial emphasis!
- Warwick, - good in terms of location & highly ranked!
- ICBS. - high in the rankings, an option of part-time MBA apart from EMBA!

Unfortunately - LBS cost is so far out of reach, that even with huge personal loan I won't be able to finance it. I don't think the small consultancy I work for would be able to sponsor me on this one as well.

Now we're down to 3!

I have already mentioned I am considering personal loan - up to £25k and the rest from the company in return for let's say 2 years of golden handcuffs after finishing the course.

I have noticed that if you look for a career change - full-time MBA is better if you look for progression than EMBA is a better choice. Well, I'm not focusing on either - I wouldn't discard any option. The main reason I'm looking at an MBA course is the entrepreneurship, leadership and finance aspects of it (I like investing my savings and follow the markets in general).

About my financial situation - I don't have any debts at the moment. I don't have a mortgage, a family to upkeep and credit card debts. I have some savings but nowhere near enough to utilize them.

I stumbled upon the profiles from an EMBA class in Said school and noticed that the average age of candidates was way more than 30... also at least 50% of them were CEO's. I'm at the merely senior position...

Questions:
Is it too early to think about EMBA, should I postpone it?
Should I seek support from the company or go (somehow) on my own?
Should I drop everything and apply for full-time MBA instead?
For my general business skill search - does the choice of school really matter?

Any advice is hugely appreciated!

Cass. It seems obvious to me that the format and ranks of electives is a great fit, better than Imperial. Plus it has a real campus in London and a solid network here, unlike Warwick.

Disclaimer: am an Cass and LBS alumnus.

Thanks Duncan!

What would you say about the financing part? - From your alumnus perspective, do you think it is better to do it quicker and accrue some significant debt at the start?

Golden handcuffs? Or simply wait and get more experience before even thinking about it...

Thanks!

It's the best investment you can make. Personally, I started a good EMBA elsewhere and dropped out, completing at LBS. The difference is cost is tiny compared to the lifetime added value. If a full time MBA was possible, then I would recommend that.

PS Don't take golden handcuffs seriously. I moved to Deloitte during my EMBA and of course they picked up the cost.

[Edited by Duncan on Feb 14, 2019]