I have received offers for the MBA program from both Warwick (WBS) and Durham (DUBS). However, the offer from WBS holds a condition to achieve a GMAT score at par with their class average (650+) along with the deadline of 4 weeks which makes it a challenging affair.

Moreover, the deadline for making a deposit at Durham stands 3 weeks from now.

Advice needed.
Option A: I request the WBS team to either extend my deadline or defer my candidature to next year's intake so I get enough time to achieve the desired score.

Option B: I pay the deposit at Durham acknowledging its overall value for money rank and University reputation.

Profile: 8 Year of Managerial Experience.
looking forward to finding employment in the UK (Operations or Sales in Consumer Goods Industry). Strictly Non-IT, Non-Banking Industry

Keeping the Brexit uncertainty in mind, Please suggest.

Option C: Do both A and also C regardless of the outcome of A.

Thanks Duncan, I was expecting Option C in your response.
Although I am not sure they will defer a conditional offer but will that be worth waiting an extra year over Durham?

That depends on lots of factors. For most students, Warwick is worth the wait.

PS just a glance at the FT data shows that Warwick is better for international mobility, careers services and salary. The quality of admitted students is better because of the GMAT requirement. DUBS seems a more volatile asset at the moment, and its rapid rise in the rankings could suggest a mix of real improvement and gaming the methodology.

I think a lot of this comes down to your existing UK network and your confidence in your networking skills. Warwick certainly has a better location.

[Edited by Duncan on Mar 14, 2020]

If you have the option of awaiting another year, then wait until you get your GMAT score.

Counter-view: a bird in hand is worth two in bush. Getting 650+ in GMAT while not difficult, is not a given. Maybe you never get a GMAT score more than 650, or perhaps you get over 720.
If you haven't do it already. Take the practice test from MBA / GMAT.com. You'd know where you stand and then can make an informed decision.

If you were to delay a year, that also gives you the opportunity to get into an even better school. If Warwick wants you, then why not Manchester?

the four weeks just for you to make the deposit, not the DDL for GMAT. Just email to Laura/Paula they will confirm with this. also, I don't think they actually need a score higher than 650... maybe just around..but this is my guess. Good luck with your GMAT!

I agree with you Duncan, Rankings doesn't always give a fair picture as it is based on a lot of other influencing factors which can be gamed. But at the same time what Ayon countered is perhaps true. I may or I may not.
My biggest concern is delaying a year.

Pros: It might open doors to Oxbridge.

Cons: Calendar turning might add to uncertainty and unpredictable challenges.


Anyways I got my answers I guess. Thanks

@Chi Wang - Thanks for the input. I'll connect with them.

Rankings can be gamed, but that is not a factor here. In the long-run Manchester and Oxbridge have a long term advantage over Warwick in network power and fundraising. Salaries can't be gamed easily, and Manchester and Oxbridge have a solid team over Warwick on that.

Oh, I see. I actually considered the FT Global MBA Ranking 2019 while making my applications where Durham (43) was raked relatively higher than Manchester (59). Moreover, a higher ROI and Employment % was a factor too. I did apply to some other lower ranked B-schools except Manchester and bagged offers from all.

I am looking forward to better networking opportunities and learning instead of higher salaries. (Employment % matters)

As I mentioned earlier, a strict NO to Banking, Finance and IT Jobs (even if they pay me double)

I'll check if I can still apply to Manchester with a tentative GMAT date.

Thanks for the insights.

Manchester MBAs are move likely to be career switchers, so the longer time into employment is not a surprise.