Hello,

I have been accepted to both Imperial & Cass EMBA programmes. I have done my research on these schools before applying but wanted to seek objective opinion from well-informed members of this group on the following aspects to help me with my final decision:

1. Global reputation, prestige & respect.
2. Active alumni network.
3. Academic/Teacher quality & bench strength.
4. Course content.
5. Cohort diversity & seniority.

(This is not in the order of priority, but merely a few points to consider to help with the decision)

I was leaning towards Cass last few days which has enjoyed higher ranking but in the latest FT list, Imperial has gone ahead so they must be doing something right.

Any tips, advice, help?

Cass is on a whole other level. The quality of the students is much better there and the EMBA is its flagship course. It is also a much older and larger business school. And not in a basement.

Yes, the basement bit was a particular concern for me as well :)

Thanks for the response Duncan.

As I said, I am leaning towards Cass as well but wondering what led to a fall in their ranking and such a jump for Imperial?

And sorry if I am asking this again, global reputation/ employer support is better for Cass? I intend to leverage the school name and move careers during/post the duration of the course.

Thanks

Well, there's certainly a difference between the UK audience, who have heard of Cass, and an international audience who will have heard of Imperial as an undergraduate engineering school: it is an especially potent brand in India. By the same token, many people know the Sorbonne and the LSE but don't know Insead or LBS. Salaries show that *MBA recruiters* value Cass more. But outside those circles you may need to explain what Cass is, as I need to explain what LBS is.

I guess the ranking change is caused by the decline in financial salaries at Cass and the growing awareness of the Imperial MBA brand. In the long run it is very hard to close that gap.

Thanks Duncan.