Hi all

I live in the UK and am looking for a one year MBA preferably in California. I know that this limits me but this is a lifesyle choice as well as education - my sister lives just outside San Francisco and I would like our families to be closer.

I've just turned 36 and spent the first 6 years of my career training as a surgeon in the NHS. I then moved into the private sector and opened a private medical aesthetic clinic. 2 years later, I sold this to the UK's largest chain of clinics and went to work for them. I was soon promoted to their Director of Medical Services looking after 40 clinics. Although I still have links with them on a consultancy basis, I now train, lecture and consult elsewhere. I plan to open my own clinic again with the view to expanding into a small chain.

My goal is to get a more formal business management education, meet like minded people and be inspired to return to the UK with a greater chance of success in my career. I would like to get ideas for a tech/health start up.

My recent GMAT was 610 though I am sure I can do better - Quant was 42nd percentile whereas the others were 93 and 80

I am strongly considering HULT which sounds like a more practical and hands on course which would suit me and be close to my sister. I'm not sure I want to be in a class of braniacs more interested in the theory. However, I have read some negative blogs on HULT and am now wondering if I should aim higher bearing in mind the cost of not working for a year, moving my family and paying course fees?

I know that Stanford have a one year MSx but not sure that this fits my personality and wants.

So, qns....
Do you think that HULT is a credible school with a program to suit an entrepreneur wanting to develop an existing career?
Are there other one year MBAs in California that I should consider?
Should I retake the GMAT if applying elsewhere (HULT are happy with my current score).

A lot of info I know but would be really grateful for any advice on this.

thanks!

There are some things I don't understand.
- Why is it specifically an MBA you're looking for rather than a specialised masters in healthcare or entrepreneurship?
- If you want to work for yourself, why does credibility matter?
- What is it about your personality and wants that makes Hult a better fit than Stanford?

I never heard of anyone being turned down for Hult, so I am sure they will be happy with you. Student experiences are uneven, and you may find that a university is a better choice than a private school free from the pluses and minuses of mainstream academia.

Were I you, I would separate the family choice from the academic choice. Rather than spend a year in the Bay, why not spend a couple of months every year for the next five or six years, then take an entrepreneurship programme in the UK, so you can build your network here and hit the ground running. Being an entrepreneur gives you that freedom.

Wow, thanks for the quick reply Duncan! You've asked the qns I thought you would. It's a little complicated...
I am after a general business education but if you are able to recommend courses more leaning towards entrepreneurship, that would be great.
I think that it is always useful to keep as many options open as possible and so I would like to attend the most prestigious school that I can (as long as it's appropriate).
I'm looking for a course that is very practical delivered by those who have done it themselves, I'm not so interested whether they have PhDs or not (though appreciate that this may be an indicator of quality).
You are quite right about the family vs academic choices. I want to take lots of holidays in the coming years but to different parts of the world. Holidays are never the same as living somewhere for a longer period of time and we would love to experience life abroad.
This is my difficulty.... You have suggested exactly what I has been on my mind for some time!
What UK courses would you recommend?

thanks again

Take a look at http://www.best-masters.com/ranking-master-entrepreneurship.html

Hult is clearly not the most prestigious school you can attend, so is prestige a real issue for you or academic rigour?

AACSB and EQUIS schools with PhDs have lots of network effects: the best alumni and students are in such schools. Unlike those schools, and if you've had any interaction with Hult you will know it, Hult's is a unique school where there seems to be a place for everyone. They don't have the sort of facilities or faculty that the double and triple accredited schools have.

Stanford would be better but, that said, I'm not sure that an MBA is the answer for you.

If you're focussed in the UK, then study in the UK because that is where the industry and investor network is that you need.

I would look at http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/p13764/Programmes-and-Executive-Development/OEP-Home/Programmes/Growing-Business/The-Business-Growth-and-Development-Programme and http://www.london.edu/facultyandresearch/subjectareas/strategyandentrepreneurship/Entrepreneurshipsummerschool.html

A big thank you for the advice Duncan.

A few other options if you really want to have a US certificate...
http://extension.berkeley.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=17107&selectedProgramAreaId=11463&selectedProgramStreamId=15572
http://executive.berkeley.edu/programs/certificate
http://create.stanford.edu/index.php
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/exed/epgc/

Generally agree with what's already been said here.

However, you would probably want to look more closely at the Stanford and Haas MBA programs if you ever had any desire to leverage their networks in the Valley. These connections could come in handy if you are ever seeking VC or angel funding - even in the UK.

That said the MSx program is pretty great, and more cost-effective than Stanford's MBA program.

Thanks MBA Hipster. Am I right in thinking that Haas don't have a one year program?

Hi Duncan, thanks fo ryour suggestions which I've had a quick look at....Although I plan to work for myself, I feel I need and would benefit from formal training in all aspects of business hence why I am looking at MBAs. I like the look of the masters in entrepreneurship but worry that I may miss out on general business education? I'm under the impression that if I were to do an MBA, I could choose optional entrepreneurship modules/electives? I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

thanks again

I think this really depends on the MBA and the school. My concern is that there are big trade-off flowing from your wish to avoid academic rigour yet study in the Bay,

Thanks MBA Hipster. Am I right in thinking that Haas don't have a one year program?