Thank you. I might have gone ahead of myself in saying my IESE offer is pretty confirmed. So, I would like to know how many of students that attend the assessment day get a final offer! By the time I get a formal and final decision from IESE, I might have to decide on other offers. Hence, your input here would greatly help my cause. Also, do you know how many of the admits receive a scholarship? BusinessWeek says 79%. I'm little skeptic about that figure. Scholarship matters a lot to me now more than ever before since HEC tuition is almost 20000 euros cheaper.

Again, I appreciate your initiative a lot on this forum. Keep it up..

I can give u stats from our assessment day that is based on round figure for I don't now remember exact numbers! We were I guess almost 39 guys of India/Indian Origin at New Delhi, last year, and I believe almost 12-17 guys got final admit! Well let me tell you what we were told, when IESE calls u to assessment day they don't have a fix number in their mind, therefore, they go ahead and can give in fact each one of u an offer if u all were good...Second tip would be, BE YOURSELF...there is no need of any preparation ...for such things will not work as you would think it would...so just relax and enjoy the day... is what I will advise to you! All the best!

On scholarship, the numbers are limited for indian nationals but few of indian nationals have got it but not as high as you say! But then this should not be the deciding factor as per me to accept an offer or not! For IESE you have a global loan program without any co signer whereas for any other MBA even if they may be 10-20K cheaper, you have to arrange that fund yourself! Also HEC MBA is 1.5 years course while IESE is 21 months which is almost 2 years with 5 semesters in it, so in spite of being a 2 year course, its a lot hectic than you can think and since its longer it builds your knowledge really well! Frankly I just love the teaching and educational quality here! Its just wow

Please delete this post since it's a duplicate..

Ignore this post since it's a duplicate..

Ignore this post since it's a duplicate..

Ignore this post. Since it's a duplicate...

For me it was 1] Quality of education, in terms of, learning methodology and its effectiveness to my study style, Professors' reputations and industrial expertise, and student's quality! 2] Reputation in Industry, in terms of numbers and quality of positions offered, exclusive job positions availability, quality of companies coming to campus, career events and on campus interaction, alumni network! 3] Diversity , and 4] Availability of funding and scholarship for education for I look at it as investment for your future and in long term the initial investment value becomes less consequential than the potential of growth!

IESE is definitely best as per me in that list and the list you provided earlier followed by Rotman and HEC. But I am sure every individual based on their priority would have a different rankings! All the best in whatever you decide!

Thank you. I might have gone ahead of myself in saying I have an offer from IESE. I still have to attend the assessment day and I might have to make a decision about HEC by the time I attend this event (horrible timing personally). Hence, I would like to know how many of the students that attend this day get a final offer! Do you know what they don't want to see in a candidate during this event?

Also, BusinessWeek reports that 79% of the admits receive a scholarship. Is it true? If not, what is the realistic number? Scholarship matters a lot to me now more than ever since tuition to HEC, my other offer, is almost 20000 euros cheaper than IESE. I understand the benefit of seeing this investment more in the long-term as a potential of growth but still 20000 seems a lot. Therefore, your inputs on this matter will help me a lot.

Again, I really appreciate your inputs on this forum. Keep it up.

I have also cleared the interview stage and have been selected for the assessment day .aksr thanks a lot for your inputs this has brought more clarity to me

Again I was a bit scared when one of my friends had to return from IESE without an offer , but he also made the disclaimer that the rest of his Indian friends were able to get placed so am not gettting too worried.

Unlike Mac , I dont have any other offers as of now so its either IESE or next year :o.

Askr , one more question , How is the outlook for Indian students( especially the typical 4 year IT male guys) looking to move to consulting/finance ?. How do recruiters look at these sort of profiles ?

Consulting requires local work experience and language for the office, which you are going to apply! Normally Indian offices do not take an outside India student too in consulting in top 4 firms! so there are challenges in consulting sector but if you have right fit you can still make it!

Finance is more open in terms of this but then is more selective in certain areas due to financial crisis Europe and world is going through! All top consulting & finance firms do hire for associate roles and a lot of Indian students are even selected! Therefore, this also depends on what you bring along with IT skills, that can be transferable to this sector!

Do your homework on the sectors, for school can help you by bringing in these top firms on campus but then it comes to your own skills and proving your fit to get an interview and final position in these firms!

I have also cleared the interview stage and have been selected for the assessment day .aksr thanks a lot for your inputs this has brought more clarity to me

Again I was a bit scared when one of my friends had to return from IESE without an offer , but he also made the disclaimer that the rest of his Indian friends were able to get placed so am not gettting too worried.

Unlike Mac , I dont have any other offers as of now so its either IESE or next year :o.

Askr , one more question , How is the outlook for Indian students( especially the typical 4 year IT male guys) looking to move to consulting/finance ?. How do recruiters look at these sort of profiles ?

macbook86 Says

What preferences have you set in making a decision? My preferences are most probable, if not guaranteed, placement, less tuition, and finally top ranked reputation (brand name with employers). I have offers from HEC Paris, Rotman and IESE is almost through. So little confused with the choices. Your inputs will be a great help.

For me it was 1] Quality of education, in terms of, learning methodology and its effectiveness to my study style, Professors' reputations and industrial expertise, and student's quality! 2] Reputation in Industry, in terms of numbers and quality of positions offered, exclusive job positions availability, quality of companies coming to campus, career events and on campus interaction, alumni network! 3] Diversity , and 4] Availability of funding and scholarship for education for I look at it as investment for your future and in long term the initial investment value becomes less consequential than the potential of growth!

IESE is definitely best as per me in that list and the list you provided earlier followed by Rotman and HEC. But I am sure every individual based on their priority would have a different rankings! All the best in whatever you decide!

aksr Says

You can always work in Spain! Being the topmost MBA of Spain, its not difficult to get it! You have to work on your Spanish skills nevertheless! To answer your second question, let me tell you like this, if you are an Indian, take IESE as an equivalent of IIM-A for Spain and IIM-C of Europe and may be IIM-K/I for world on overall reputation and comparison with other schools around the globe! Now all other schools that you have mentioned are good schools in their own right but in Europe and here I am pretty sure, we do not think of them as our competitors except London Business School, INSEAD, and IMD! For me it is my top choice school based on my own preferences! So these things and opinion can vary from person to person based on the criteria you apply to compare them!

What preferences have you set in making a decision? My preferences are most probable, if not guaranteed, placement, less tuition, and finally top ranked reputation (brand name with employers). I have offers from HEC Paris, Rotman and IESE is almost through. So little confused with the choices. Your inputs will be a great help.

Thanks for the inputs. Well, I was just considering working in Spain as a back-up option if not placed elsewhere. What would be the situation if one goes past the student residence permit of one year? Is there any work permit option available to stay and find a job locally? I'm just little curios. Hope you understand.

Also, How would you rate this university in comparison to, let's say, HEC Paris, ESADE, IEBS and Manchester Business School?

You can always work in Spain! Being the topmost MBA of Spain, its not difficult to get it! You have to work on your Spanish skills nevertheless! To answer your second question, let me tell you like this, if you are an Indian, take IESE as an equivalent of IIM-A for Spain and IIM-C of Europe and may be IIM-K/I for world on overall reputation and comparison with other schools around the globe! Now all other schools that you have mentioned are good schools in their own right but in Europe and here I am pretty sure, we do not think of them as our competitors except London Business School, INSEAD, and IMD! For me it is my top choice school based on my own preferences! So these things and opinion can vary from person to person based on the criteria you apply to compare them!

I agree to what has been said here! Almost 95% of the jobs taken by IESE graduates are outside Spain, nevertheless you can also get employed in Spain! The student resident card for non EU students are issued for one year, so if you come here in say August, 2012, it wud be valid till August 2013, when you again get it renewed to August, 2014 next year while you pass out in May end!

As far as economic turmoil is concerned, it has affected everywhere and every country, nevertheless the good thing is a MBA from top business school with strong managerial decision making skills, good ethics and understanding of global economics is key out of this crisis and therefore, they are in good demand as can be seen in job market! I will say the demand pipeline for MBA from IESE is pretty strong, and I have attended a lot of companies' presentation, who are only hiring at top 10 schools in world, and they being at IESE is a testimony in itself!

Thanks for the inputs. Well, I was just considering working in Spain as a back-up option if not placed elsewhere. What would be the situation if one goes past the student residence permit of one year? Is there any work permit option available to stay and find a job locally? I'm just little curios. Hope you understand.

Also, How would you rate this university in comparison to, let's say, HEC Paris, ESADE, IEBS and Manchester Business School?

From what I heard I think you can stay around two months in Spain(please correct me if I am wrong askr) after your program gets over.But it is definitely not as high as the US OPT period.

Mac dont be too concerned about working in Spain,I think the best opportunities are outside Spain and thats where most IESE grads go

I agree to what has been said here! Almost 95% of the jobs taken by IESE graduates are outside Spain, nevertheless you can also get employed in Spain! The student resident card for non EU students are issued for one year, so if you come here in say August, 2012, it wud be valid till August 2013, when you again get it renewed to August, 2014 next year while you pass out in May end!

As far as economic turmoil is concerned, it has affected everywhere and every country, nevertheless the good thing is a MBA from top business school with strong managerial decision making skills, good ethics and understanding of global economics is key out of this crisis and therefore, they are in good demand as can be seen in job market! I will say the demand pipeline for MBA from IESE is pretty strong, and I have attended a lot of companies' presentation, who are only hiring at top 10 schools in world, and they being at IESE is a testimony in itself!

From what I heard I think you can stay around two months in Spain(please correct me if I am wrong askr) after your program gets over.But it is definitely not as high as the US OPT period.

Mac dont be too concerned about working in Spain,I think the best opportunities are outside Spain and thats where most IESE grads go

Best of luck for your cost effective MBA and hope you can do similar sort of research based on your definition of 'cost effectiveness' for all the options in US/Canada/Singapore!

Being at IESE, I at least can claim that my information about alumni is far more descriptive and specific than being anonymous, and I love to have chosen IESE over my admits in US and work life at Singapore :)

I really appreciate your inputs in this thread. Since I got an offer, I would like to know the status of work permits for non-EU students in Spain. And do you think the present euro zone turmoil affected the latest 2011 graduates? or will it affect future graduates?

Regrading work permits, students in US get a permit called OPT, which allows students to work for 1-2 years post graduation. Is there anything similar to that in Spain?

krishnaahk Says

I cannot give the source of information. You can always check with your batch mates and other alumni. Even if you dont get a job in Singapore after NUS or NTU MBA the cost is manageable. MBA is basically a hype, in my opinion. But sometimes it helps in your career. So i am looking for a cost effective MBA.

Living costs in singapore are very high. You can't live there if you don't get a job immediately. If you are looking for cost effective programs, I would suggest India and Asia Pacific. US/Canada is a no-no. I have studied in US before. So, I know how it is.

Dear Pagalguys,
You can be realistically optimistic. But for your information, some IESE MBAs from the batch of 2011, who were employed in Europe in leading Banks or Companies have already been retrenched. Dont ask me how i got the information. They are already asking the Banco Sabadal for rescheduling the loan instalment. MBA is a hype. But paying Rs 35 lacs in tution fees, Rs 25 lacs in living expenses and another at least Rs 20 lacs in Salary foregone is a very high price to pay for MBA. At any rate MBA in Hongkong, or Singapore or Australia or canada or USA or India is better. If you do MBA in Canada or Australia you are sure to get resident status. If you do MBA in Singapore or Hongkong you will get a job definitely. Even otherwise cost Rs 20 lacs is manageable. if you do in USA, if you can manage to stay in USA for one year. But MBas in Europe or UK does not give this option. so please avoid this costly mistake.

Your estimates are completely misleading, especially the living expenses unless you live a non-student life and the guarantee of a job in singapore. Do you know that it is very tough to get a job even in Singapore since they tightened the work permits. I have a Nanyang graduate who came to India to look out for jobs. I always feel that getting a job depends on the student himself. However, most of the top 20 B-schools boast a placement rate of at least 80-85 % and most of those offers are not local. Work permit doesn't guarantee you a job. It just makes getting it a bit easier. I hope you could seriously check your 'sources' and post facts instead. This thread is for applicants of IESE and one's who got admits. Hope you could respect that information.

krishnaahk Says

I cannot give the source of information. You can always check with your batch mates and other alumni. Even if you dont get a job in Singapore after NUS or NTU MBA the cost is manageable. MBA is basically a hype, in my opinion. But sometimes it helps in your career. So i am looking for a cost effective MBA.

Best of luck for your cost effective MBA and hope you can do similar sort of research based on your definition of 'cost effectiveness' for all the options in US/Canada/Singapore!

Being at IESE, I at least can claim that my information about alumni is far more descriptive and specific than being anonymous, and I love to have chosen IESE over my admits in US and work life at Singapore

As a current student at IESE, I would be definitely interested in your source of information! Also I find the claim of getting a definite job after doing an MBA in Singapore is a tall claim! I believe that is true even for any region and any school, for getting a job depends on lots of factors! Indian MBA is definitely different in ROI but then Indian MBA doesn't suit everyone needs!

Anyways wish all 2014 IESE aspirants all the best for their applications!

I cannot give the source of information. You can always check with your batch mates and other alumni. Even if you dont get a job in Singapore after NUS or NTU MBA the cost is manageable. MBA is basically a hype, in my opinion. But sometimes it helps in your career. So i am looking for a cost effective MBA.

Dear Pagalguys,
You can be realistically optimistic. But for your information, some IESE MBAs from the batch of 2011, who were employed in Europe in leading Banks or Companies have already been retrenched. Dont ask me how i got the information. They are already asking the Banco Sabadal for rescheduling the loan instalment. MBA is a hype. But paying Rs 35 lacs in tution fees, Rs 25 lacs in living expenses and another at least Rs 20 lacs in Salary foregone is a very high price to pay for MBA. At any rate MBA in Hongkong, or Singapore or Australia or canada or USA or India is better. If you do MBA in Canada or Australia you are sure to get resident status. If you do MBA in Singapore or Hongkong you will get a job definitely. Even otherwise cost Rs 20 lacs is manageable. if you do in USA, if you can manage to stay in USA for one year. But MBas in Europe or UK does not give this option. so please avoid this costly mistake.

As a current student at IESE, I would be definitely interested in your source of information! Also I find the claim of getting a definite job after doing an MBA in Singapore is a tall claim! I believe that is true even for any region and any school, for getting a job depends on lots of factors! Indian MBA is definitely different in ROI but then Indian MBA doesn't suit everyone needs!

Anyways wish all 2014 IESE aspirants all the best for their applications!

Dear Pagalguys,
You can be realistically optimistic. But for your information, some IESE MBAs from the batch of 2011, who were employed in Europe in leading Banks or Companies have already been retrenched. Dont ask me how i got the information. They are already asking the Banco Sabadal for rescheduling the loan instalment. MBA is a hype. But paying Rs 35 lacs in tution fees, Rs 25 lacs in living expenses and another at least Rs 20 lacs in Salary foregone is a very high price to pay for MBA. At any rate MBA in Hongkong, or Singapore or Australia or canada or USA or India is better. If you do MBA in Canada or Australia you are sure to get resident status. If you do MBA in Singapore or Hongkong you will get a job definitely. Even otherwise cost Rs 20 lacs is manageable. if you do in USA, if you can manage to stay in USA for one year. But MBas in Europe or UK does not give this option. so please avoid this costly mistake.

Dear Pagalguys,
IESE does not have any brand name in Asia, particularly India. If you can get a job in UK it is well and good. If you do not get a job in UK you will find it extremely difficult to get a job in India. The employers ask what is IESE. Before you sell yourself you have to sell IESE. There are no alumnis worth the name in India. The alumni association is only in name sake. You will better off doing your MBA in IIMs or ISB or any well known Management institutes. IESE will put you backwards with a total expenses of at least Euro 120000 including fees and living expenses. Taking into account the salary foregone, your investment is Rs 1 CRORE. Even if you get a starting salary of Rs 16 to 18 lacs, you cannot even pay the educational loan, let alone recover your investment. Any MBA in USA or Canada or Australia or Singapore or Hongkong or India will be much better than IESE MBA.

Few of the points you mentioned are valid but I think expenses wouldn't be so much as you say. Tuition is coming out to be 50 lakhs. Expenses can be around 10-15 lakhs. Placements wise most of the students (60-70%) work outside spain after the MBA. 90% of the IESE students get placed within 3 months of the MBA. The average salaries in Europe presently are around $60000-70000. The numbers I mentioned are for the latest year (2011). In the long term, a european MBA will have better global exposure than one in Canada/Singapore/Hong Kong/India. Compared to Canada, you'll have more options, placements wise, in Europe. India doesn't know IESE well but rest of the world does as seen in the rankings and no. of companies offering placements.

The only sore point is the instability in Euro Zone. But as an optimist, I feel things will change soon. If you want to come back and work in India immediately after an MBA, then any global MBA, let alone IESE, is not a good option.

My GMAT is 720. Q:49 V:39
And I have significant international experience, both academic and professional.
You can always apply - what's your profile?

mzkfrk Says

Can I apply now? how much did you score in the GMAT?

Sure. Here it is.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/141110965985241/

Or you can just search for "IESE MBA Class of 2014"

adri_fred Says

Hey pixaar can you give share the details of this facebook group?

The assessment day is really just to get the feel of who you are rather than what you know. When you discuss the case, make sure you make a couple of points - no matter how silly. And allow others to talk and participate. I was in Barcelona last week and I was told by a current Indian student at IESE that at the assessment day, you stand a 2/3 chance of getting admitted. So you all are pretty close!

I just wanted to make a point here. I have seen that most european students (me included) got their admissions without the need for an assessment day. But for Indian students who are IN india withouth significant overseas experience, the assessment day is pretty much required. I guess the reason is that they know you are smart but they just want to make sure if you are team-smart. (Indians are notorious for being competitive). So follow my advice above and you will be okay.

And don't forget to join the Facebook page whether or not you are admitted already. The adcom is active and it's good to be seen there.

Good Luck!

Can I apply now? how much did you score in the GMAT?

Hey pixaar can you give share the details of this facebook group?

The assessment day is really just to get the feel of who you are rather than what you know. When you discuss the case, make sure you make a couple of points - no matter how silly. And allow others to talk and participate. I was in Barcelona last week and I was told by a current Indian student at IESE that at the assessment day, you stand a 2/3 chance of getting admitted. So you all are pretty close!

I just wanted to make a point here. I have seen that most european students (me included) got their admissions without the need for an assessment day. But for Indian students who are IN india withouth significant overseas experience, the assessment day is pretty much required. I guess the reason is that they know you are smart but they just want to make sure if you are team-smart. (Indians are notorious for being competitive). So follow my advice above and you will be okay.

And don't forget to join the Facebook page whether or not you are admitted already. The adcom is active and it's good to be seen there.

Good Luck!

Not preparing too much for the assessment day .From what I heard they split you into random teams and ask you to analyze a case study :).

From what i have heard there is a good conversion rate from assessment day calls to final admits .So I think we are almost there

@Krishnaahk

Krisha the points you make are very valid.Are you a past student ?

Not preparing too much for the assessment day .From what I heard they split you into random teams and ask you to analyze a case study :).

From what i have heard there is a good conversion rate from assessment day calls to final admits .So I think we are almost there

@Krishnaahk

Krisha the points you make are very valid.Are you a past student ?

Good luck everyone.
I just got my admit today.
I am an Indian living in Scandinavia for past 8 years.
I didn't have to attend the Assessment Day but I did attend the Open Day in Barcelona.
Any admits for the class of 2014 here?

Dear Pagalguys,
IESE does not have any brand name in Asia, particularly India. If you can get a job in UK it is well and good. If you do not get a job in UK you will find it extremely difficult to get a job in India. The employers ask what is IESE. Before you sell yourself you have to sell IESE. There are no alumnis worth the name in India. The alumni association is only in name sake. You will better off doing your MBA in IIMs or ISB or any well known Management institutes. IESE will put you backwards with a total expenses of at least Euro 120000 including fees and living expenses. Taking into account the salary foregone, your investment is Rs 1 CRORE. Even if you get a starting salary of Rs 16 to 18 lacs, you cannot even pay the educational loan, let alone recover your investment. Any MBA in USA or Canada or Australia or Singapore or Hongkong or India will be much better than IESE MBA.

Hey guys,
Congrats on being invited to the Assessment day. I too was surprised to notice that there was no previous discussion on the IESE Class of 2014. I've been invited to an interview and have scheduled it for the 3rd week of January. I'm having some difficulty in finding places that provide video conferencing facilities in Mumbai. Do you guys have any information?

adri_fred Says

Hey I have also been selected for the Delhi Assessment day.Did you by any chance attend the Mumbai event ??

Congrats! Yes, I did attend the mumbai event. My interview was on the next day.

So how are you preparing yourself for the assessment day? Any insights on how many get selected after this event or how we shouldn't be on that day with respect to behavior, presentation etc. ?

Hey I have also been selected for the Delhi Assessment day.Did you by any chance attend the Mumbai event ??