The MBA Tour organizes conferences with the world's top business programs for MBA Aspirants the world over. The upcoming events in India this September will feature 35 Business Schools from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.
We conducted an interview with Peter von Loesecke, CEO of The MBA Tour, and Meredith Curtin Siegel, Senior Associate Director and India Tour Leader, to describe the key benefits of attending an MBA Conference and provide some insight into the MBA decision process.
1. What does The MBA Tour provide for Business Schools and prospective MBA students in India?
The MBA Tour allows direct interaction between applicants and Admissions Directors. Our events enable prospective MBAs to meet the decision makers and provide the opportunity for schools to communicate their admissions policies, give information about their programs, and specifically, how they can benefit Indian students.
2. What B-schools do you work with?
We work with a breadth of top business programs from around the world. Some of the schools attending our events in India this year are London Business School, ESADE, Cornell, NYU, Duke, Berkeley, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, Purdue, UCLA, University of Southern California, and many others.
3. What cities are you traveling to and when?
Our India tour this year starts in New Delhi on September 29, then stops in Chennai on October 1, followed by Bangalore on October 4 and ends in Mumbai on October 6.
More details on these events, including location and time are listed on our website: www.thembatour.com
4. How do prospective MBAs benefit from attending a MBA Conference in India?
Our events allow for personal interactions between prospective candidates and Admissions Directors. The program format of seminars, round-table discussions and an MBA fair insures every prospective candidate the opportunity to speak personally with a business school representative.
The activities at our events are dedicated to helping future MBA applicants make the best possible choices for their goals. Our information sessions, panels, and round-tables are conducted by admissions representatives, so that these sessions help attendees to learn more about the people and B-schools present at our fairs.
5. How should prospective MBAs in India choose the best programs for them?
It is important that prospective applicants research schools based on their career goals and personal interests. They should look for schools that meet their individual and professional needs and not base their decisions solely on rankings. Rankings only tell part of the story, not the whole story.
6. What kind of experience do B-schools expect from prospective applicants?
Top business programs look for applicants who have work experience demonstrating managerial responsibility, leadership skills, and a track record of performance.
7. What resources does The MBA Tour offer for Indian MBA applicants?
Besides the opportunities provided at our events, The MBA Tour offers a student website with school information and statistics, as well as valuable information to assist MBA aspirants with the application process.
8. Why should I choose an MBA overseas, not in India?
Choosing where to go to business schools depends on a person's goals. There are different opportunities that are attached to each choice. Studying in India might allow you to continue to work and study, so the economic cost isn't as high as going abroad. Staying in India also keeps you connected to a local professional network.
On the other hand, the experience abroad offers other possibilities. Going abroad probably means that you will be a full-time student. For most people, this means a deeper level of involvement in the MBA experience. Not only will you have more time to study, but also to socialize with an international cohort of peers. Additionally, the experience of going abroad, mastering daily life in another culture and language, and living in an international community (full-time) is extremely valuable.
The MBA programs that travel with us are very international. The goal of these programs is to bring together an international student cohort, professors with international experience, and to offer a program of study that provides insight and understanding of the complexities and challenges required to manage successfully in a global context.
9. What value do Business Schools see in international applicants, in particular, in Indian students?
International Indian students enrich the classroom environment with diverse backgrounds, experiences and points of view. They also have insights into one of the largest consumer markets in the world.
10. What's the difference between an MBA in North America, Europe or another location?
Although there are many similarities (in regard to curriculum content, philosophy, and methodology) among all MBA programs, there are significant differences from region to region that are important to consider.
Most US programs require two years of full-time study. The great advantage to this is that there is more time for electives (courses you can choose to complement the required courses) and for internships. This is particularly important for people who are changing their career direction. Someone who has been an engineer or a computer programmer or a lawyer and now aspires to a management position may need two years to build a bigger knowledge-base and gain some additional practical experience before graduating.
European MBAs tend to be shorter, typically 11-18 months. This means less time away from home and lower opportunity costs (the loss of income while you are studying, the cost of housing in another country, etc.). European programs tend to be more international as well. While enrollment in US and Canadian programs is international, a high percentage of each class is often from that country; European schools host a much more internationally diverse group of students. European MBA programs are enjoying growing prestige with international companies as more and more European grads enter the professional world and demonstrate what they've learned!
Canada offers many of the best features of US and European programs (length of program, diversity, etc.) but at the most affordable price. Since the Canadian dollar has not climbed in value as rapidly as the Euro and US dollar, Canadian business schools can offer outstanding quality at a much lower price. Furthermore, many people are attracted to Canada because of the country's well-deserved reputation for being a safe environment that welcomes people from all over the world.
11. What is the job market now for Indians graduating with an MBA in USA? Trends likely to continue?
There are exciting opportunities with US companies as many are developing activities in India; these opportunities are more likely to be in China or somewhere else outside of the US. Right now, it is more difficult to stay in the US than it used to be as there are fewer H1-B visas (visas that allow foreign citizens to work in the US) awarded each year. This policy has not been popular with the private sector and may be revised again.
On the other hand, the UK and Canada have recently opened up additional opportunities for foreign students to obtain work permission, so these overseas job markets are looking more promising.
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