Grad School...MBA

[Optimzer]

I\'ve basically decided that within the next 2 years, I would like to attend grad school and do my MBA. Given my current work status, education, goals, and interests I think it\'s the right way to go...but I\'d still like to hear your thoughts!

Anyway, what I\'m looking for is some basic info. Has anyone out there done their MBA? If so, where did you do it? How\'d you like it? What were you doing before you started the MBA? What did it do for you (jobs, salary, responsibility)? What was the admissions process like? How is the GMAT?

I think my timeline is to start the application process this summer. I hear that essay are super important as well as recommendations.

Anyway, thanks for sharing!

[MattD]

Hey

I have not taken my MBA yet, I am just graduating in April from Mcmaster. I have heard a lot about grad school and by far the best MBA program is at Queens. Also being the best it is also the most challenging.

I plan on completing my MBA in a few years after I have gotten a job. Usually engineering firms like most companies will offer to pay for your degree. That is what I am planning on and waiting for.

I am just dying to get out of school, I have been here way to long.

Good luck if that is the course you are going to take, and for sure it will get you ahead in life a lot faster. As well as pretty much instantly make you more money.

[Broli]

I am in Grad school, not an MBA program
but i am doing my PH.D,
now the process is different between the two, that is no doubt,
but from people i talk to who are in MBA programs,
the hardest part is getting in!

the GMAT from what i understand is easy, so make your essays good and get stellar
references!!!


an MBA is in my future goals, i am doing the Ph.D in pharmaceutical science
i want to work in the field, in scientific affairs for 5-10 years, and then make a lateral move
to buisness affairs, I would also look to have my employer pay for my MBA!!!

good luck with your applications!

[TheProfessor]

Queens is a good school, but for an MBA nothing compares to the Ivey School of Business at Western. It is internationally known and for good reason. My brother went there and once done was immediately earning six figures plus bonuses, and to be honest he finished near the bottom of the class.

[gigileung]

I am thinking of doing my MBA at Schulich where I got my BBA from. The reasons being its close to home and its relatively cheap and also highly regarded also.

[JMAK74]

Don\'t have my MBA, however some of the following (from one of my suppliers who does have his MBA plus a little look up on my own) about the MBA:
- pay - you\'ll most likely be in the $60K+ salary range thereafter - probably upper management/exec positions
- to be accepted - prior post-seconday grades, GMAT score, interviews, references from coworkers (executive/upper management level will work more in your favour), work experience - management of staff/part of company policy decision making/creating - they\'re all looked at in context - so if you didn\'t have the greatest under grad grades (you weren\'t a 4.3 in university let\'s say, but your work experience is strong and GMAT is strong, you\'re more likely to get in vs. strong univeristy grades but no experience in work _ \"what is ROI???\")
- cost varies - probably looking at $50K+ for two year program, depending on school/program type
- schools like Queens and Western have campuses here in TO which means you weekly courses won\'t kill the Mazda3 on driving, however you may also have to head to the actual campus for tests/one week sessions throughout the time doing it - there\'s also the online work too.
- you\'re going to be giving up 18 to 24 months - expect little going out/social activities.
- go to the info sessions - compare schools - Queens may be rated great, but maybe it\'s not for you - also, try to get to \'know\' the person presenting - make a connection with them so they remember you at some level - often they\'re also part of the selection process of canidates.
- if you\'re company is paying for it, they may make you sign an agreement that you will stay with them for X number of years/months upon successful completion of the MBA. Though this may be legally hard to enforce, other employers do look at this and may not think high of you if you jump ship after someone has given you help like that (it means you\'ll jump ship on them)
- you may start getting recruited while attending.

Again, this is from what I heard and also I have looked at it and still thinking about it. As you\'ll probably do/have done, research on the schools and try to find more people that have done/are doing their MBA and go to the info sessions.

All the best.

JK

[Whos ur dadd]

Do it right after school or early in your career if you can. It\'s really hard on your family income (especially if you\'re married and/or have kids) to give up your salary for two years. Of course, you could do a part-time MBA while you\'re working, but that\'s a tough, long road (especially if you\'re married and/or have kids).

[Whos ur dadd]

Originally posted by Broli


I am in Grad school, not an MBA program
but i am doing my PH.D,
now the process is different between the two, that is no doubt,
but from people i talk to who are in MBA programs,
the hardest part is getting in!

the GMAT from what i understand is easy, so make your essays good and get stellar
references!!!


an MBA is in my future goals, i am doing the Ph.D in pharmaceutical science
i want to work in the field, in scientific affairs for 5-10 years, and then make a lateral move
to buisness affairs, I would also look to have my employer pay for my MBA!!!

good luck with your applications!

If I ever have to call you Dr. broli, I\'m going to ban myself from this forum!!!

[Fuman]

Optimzer, you might want to get a job at telus.
During their co-op presentation at my university (waterloo), they told us they sponsor their employees if they decide to pursue a graduate degree. What is your current degree?

[Broli]

Originally posted by Whos ur dadd



Originally posted by Broli


I am in Grad school, not an MBA program
but i am doing my PH.D,
now the process is different between the two, that is no doubt,
but from people i talk to who are in MBA programs,
the hardest part is getting in!

the GMAT from what i understand is easy, so make your essays good and get stellar
references!!!


an MBA is in my future goals, i am doing the Ph.D in pharmaceutical science
i want to work in the field, in scientific affairs for 5-10 years, and then make a lateral move
to buisness affairs, I would also look to have my employer pay for my MBA!!!

good luck with your applications!

If I ever have to call you Dr. broli, I\'m going to ban myself from this forum!!!

lol, when i am finished, i will change my name to just that, i will have to start at zero posts again . . .
lol

trust me yo, when i am finished i will have earned the right to be called Dr Broli!
but . . . i would never want to be called it, i hate that shit. i am so glad that all the profs
i work with aren\'t dicks, and are cool with first names!!!

i think that doing and MBA part-time is good, if you are single, so it takes 4 years instead, that is not a big deal!

if your married, it is still ok, if you have kids . . .
well, might be difficult!

[firstmazda]

Originally posted by Broli


I am in Grad school, not an MBA program
but i am doing my PH.D,
now the process is different between the two, that is no doubt,
but from people i talk to who are in MBA programs,
the hardest part is getting in!

the GMAT from what i understand is easy, so make your essays good and get stellar
references!!!


an MBA is in my future goals, i am doing the Ph.D in pharmaceutical science
i want to work in the field, in scientific affairs for 5-10 years, and then make a lateral move
to buisness affairs, I would also look to have my employer pay for my MBA!!!

good luck with your applications!

Pretty impressive!!..... although, have you seen the guy?
I don\'t know if i\'d want him messing around with my pharmaceuticals!
:p

[Optimzer]

Originally posted by MattD


Hey

I have not taken my MBA yet, I am just graduating in April from Mcmaster. I have heard a lot about grad school and by far the best MBA program is at Queens. Also being the best it is also the most challenging.


Thanks for all the responses!

Yeah I\'ve had lots of ppl tell me Queens is good but Queens\' grad MBA isn\'t ranked highly by FT (87th out of top 100 global).

[Optimzer]

Originally posted by PSIVIC


Queens is a good school, but for an MBA nothing compares to the Ivey School of Business at Western. It is internationally known and for good reason. My brother went there and once done was immediately earning six figures plus bonuses, and to be honest he finished near the bottom of the class.


Ivey looks excellent...I did resume screening for a day at the office and the Ivey applicants were way above the competition. Ivey is ranked pretty high as well..31st in FT and they have a high avg starting salary (close to $100K). If your bro was at the bottom of his class and was hired for 100K+ that\'s impressive! What did your bro do before he got his MBA and what job did he start afterwards??

[Optimzer]

Originally posted by JMAK74


Don\'t have my MBA, however some of the following (from one of my suppliers who does have his MBA plus a little look up on my own) about the MBA:
- pay - you\'ll most likely be in the $60K+ salary range thereafter - probably upper management/exec positions
- to be accepted - prior post-seconday grades, GMAT score, interviews, references from coworkers (executive/upper management level will work more in your favour), work experience - management of staff/part of company policy decision making/creating - they\'re all looked at in context - so if you didn\'t have the greatest under grad grades (you weren\'t a 4.3 in university let\'s say, but your work experience is strong and GMAT is strong, you\'re more likely to get in vs. strong univeristy grades but no experience in work _ \"what is ROI???\")
- cost varies - probably looking at $50K+ for two year program, depending on school/program type
- schools like Queens and Western have campuses here in TO which means you weekly courses won\'t kill the Mazda3 on driving, however you may also have to head to the actual campus for tests/one week sessions throughout the time doing it - there\'s also the online work too.
- you\'re going to be giving up 18 to 24 months - expect little going out/social activities.
- go to the info sessions - compare schools - Queens may be rated great, but maybe it\'s not for you - also, try to get to \'know\' the person presenting - make a connection with them so they remember you at some level - often they\'re also part of the selection process of canidates.
- if you\'re company is paying for it, they may make you sign an agreement that you will stay with them for X number of years/months upon successful completion of the MBA. Though this may be legally hard to enforce, other employers do look at this and may not think high of you if you jump ship after someone has given you help like that (it means you\'ll jump ship on them)
- you may start getting recruited while attending.

Again, this is from what I heard and also I have looked at it and still thinking about it. As you\'ll probably do/have done, research on the schools and try to find more people that have done/are doing their MBA and go to the info sessions.

All the best.

JK



thanks...good advice. yeah i just started going to the info sessions. I went to the Queens one in Jan and you\'re right - you can tell which school is for you and which isn\'t. I have yet to go to other sessions though so we\'ll see.

just one thing...you don\'t think 60K+ is starting a little low?

[Optimzer]

Originally posted by Whos ur dadd


Do it right after school or early in your career if you can. It\'s really hard on your family income (especially if you\'re married and/or have kids) to give up your salary for two years. Of course, you could do a part-time MBA while you\'re working, but that\'s a tough, long road (especially if you\'re married and/or have kids).

yeah true true. I\'m planning on starting it in 2007 and have no immediate plans to have kids, etc...I always tell my girl that those pills better hold up for a few more years!!! :D

[Optimzer]

anyone have any experience with MBA schools from the states?? I think I have a decent chance at getting into some of the better schools there. I\'m doing research on harvard, mit and u of chicago - they all have aspects in their programs that I like. I definitely have yet to accomplish a few things to be able to be able go up to them with a solid application - so I don\'t think I\'m a solid contender just yet but soon..

Also - anyone have experience with Rotman (U of T)? It\'s the #2 ranked b-school in canada. Schulich is #1!

btw...I refer to the FT rankings just b/c they seem to be pretty widely accepted...