Hi,

It is really incredible to have found such a useful and active forum. I hope, like many others, I would find my answers here.

Nationality: Pakistani
Bachelors: BBA (Marketing) from Pakistan - Class of 2013
CGPA: 2.87
GRE - 315 (V - 158, Q - 157, AWA 4.0) - 315 is more than the avg. GRE score in the following b.schools
TOEFL - 101
Work Experience: Full Time 20 Months as an Area Manager (Sales and Operations) in a footwear retail company. Quit job in Dec 2015 to prepare for GRE, TOEFL, and school search, and started working part time in a startup simultaneously. Worked there for 9 Months.

With not an impressive profile, I managed to find few business schools which match my profile. I want to apply to 4 business schools for MBA (Marketing) program. I gather after reading from different sources that sub-major in Marketing analytics/Consumer Insights Analytics could be a safe bet for an international student. Please help me narrow down the choices by ranking the following b.schools from relatively better to not-so-good options on a holistic basis (academics, friendly environment, job prospects OPT, internships etc.). And kindly also tell me with this profile, in which of these business schools I stand good chance

- SUNY Buffalo
- SUNY Binghamton
- IOWA State Uni
- U of Missouri Columbia
- U of Alabama Tuscaloosa
- Oregon State Uni
- SUNY Albany
- UTD (Here I'd have to choose MS Marketing instead of MBA due to their MBA being costly and competitive for my profile)

Regards,
Sumeet Kumar

I want to apply for Fall 2017

From where you prepare GRE?

@Sumeet,

It's not often that I have seen a Hindu from Pakistan making it this far - in fact you are the first one, so congratulations!

Your primary search is correct in that MS programs offer a safer bet for international students because several MS programs comes under STEM OPT where students can avail 24 months of OPT extension under STEM after the original 12 months of OPT. Strengthening their chances of being picked in H1-B lottery.

Also, the job market for MBA students - especially Internationals - has been particularly weak in 2016. Perhaps because of 2016 being an election year. Regardless, even in good times it's tough and rare for international students to find employment in Marketing after MBA (I am talking outside of top10 schools). Usually Internationals come with some technical or analytical skill set that is hard to find in US, and thus companies are willing to sponsor their visa.

For MS, you'd need to get your GPA converted into US 4 point scale. I would suggest using WES for this. You may also be required to take GMAT instead of GRE, since some schools only accept GMAT. Since it varies from school to school you'll have to find the information on individual school's website.

I think you will make a strong case of MS in Marketing analytics program. Usually students who apply for such programs don't have work experience. Out of the schools you listed only UTD makes sense to me. My sister applied for MS in marketing so I did some research, you may want to check out these programs as well.

CUNY - Zicklin, (MS in Marketing)
Fordham MSMI
Bentley University - MS in Marketing
Texas A&M
Uni of Rochester (Simon) - MS In marketing

I know that Fordham MSMI falls under STEM OPT that's why my sister enrolled there over Johns Hopkins and CUNY.

CUNY and Texas A&M would be one of the cheaper options, while Simon and Fordham would be expensive ones. However Fordham and Simon are STEM approved.

There are other better programs as well like Columbia, Uni of Georgia, and some new ones as well USC, Purdue etc. but we found them to be expensive.

Best,
Ayon

Hey Ayon,

Hello,

I have an admit from three universities. I need your advice on selecting one.

MS Marketing (Analytics track) in UT Dallas and Temple University Philadelphia. I have asked these two universities for program change to MS in Business Analytics (Marketing Analytics track) as it is STEM recognized. I am positive they will agree to the change.

UTD: 18 Months program, 36 Credit Hours

Temple University: One-year program, 30 Credit Hours

University at Buffalo: Full-Time MBA (Analytics Concentration), 55 Credit Hours, Two Years

I studied general business during my bachelor's. I want to make a shift to the field of Customer Analytics. Please advise which option would be better?

Hey,

I'll go with UTD. Shorter program means you save some on your cost of living, Location advantage over Philly/Buffalo, regional brand awareness, and transparent career statistics

Best, Ayon

Hey Ayon,

Hello,

I have an admit from three universities. I need your advice on selecting one.

MS Marketing (Analytics track) in UT Dallas and Temple University Philadelphia. I have asked these two universities for program change to MS in Business Analytics (Marketing Analytics track) as it is STEM recognized. I am positive they will agree to the change.

UTD: 18 Months program, 36 Credit Hours

Temple University: One-year program, 30 Credit Hours

University at Buffalo: Full-Time MBA (Analytics Concentration), 55 Credit Hours, Two Years

I studied general business during my bachelor's. I want to make a shift to the field of Customer Analytics. Please advise which option would be better?