Thanks for this opportunity and I guess I'll be the first one to ask. I am interested in applying for MBA prog for the winter session (deadline is 1 Sep) and here are my questions -
1) Is there any difference between Fall/Winter intake in terms of course availability, teaching staff, number of students admitted, available resources, scholarships, etc?
2) Do Fall and winter admits basically merge in year 2 or do they continue to stay separate?
3) Do winter admits have the option of internships? In USA MBA prog. summer internship is extremely important, is the situation similar in Canada?
4) I know its possible to finish the program in 16 months. Do students taking this route qualify for the 3 year work permit?
5) Which specialization(s) do you consider to be Schulich's core strength.
Thanks for the answers.
Hi "justathought", how are you? Below are answers specific to your query:
1. The differences in terms of course availability and faculty will depend on the availability of faculty members. As the teaching staff at Schulich includes part time faculty members too. This link
Schulich School of Business - Course Offerings will provide you will all the information on the list of courses and faculty for fall and winter terms. The student intake for fall as well as for winter is approx. 250 respectively. International students would prefer fall intake as it would prepare them for the winters in Toronto. Also the earlier you start the better opportunities in networking, more club events and also better opportunities in getting scholarships. As you are interested in winter intake, I suggest you get in touch with current students and alumi by which you are abreast with the latest events and weather. There will also be a launch week program in winter so that you can get to know your peers and build a better network.
2. That's a good question. The flexibility that the program offers you is that you can pick and choose the courses you want when you want with core courses in first year and electives in year2. So when you enroll in your courses you will find peers who may be from both full time fall and winter intakes and also accelerated and part time mba students. In some of the courses I had enrolled, My peer group also included exchange students from iim ahmedabad, essec, some from mexico and other universities around the globe.
3 Well, technically speaking the fall intake would have the advantage of a summer internship over winter intake. But again due to the flexibility of the program offered, as a winter intake you could choose to do an internship and extend the duration of your course. Though it's not mandatory that you do an internship you may choose to go for a full time job opportunity instead.
4. Work permit duration depends on the Citizenship and Immigration Canada completely. You must keep checking their website
Welcome Page | Page d'accueil as the rules keep changing. It's a case by case base treatment. Usually you do get a 3 year work permit but again it depends on the cic officials. Companies can also sponsor you.
5. For Schuilch's core strength check this
video Schulich offers many cutting edge specializations and electives. It depends how much learning you can imbibe and how well you're able to manage your time. The Schulich website will provide you with a list of specializations and electives with Business consulting, Real estate and infrastructure, Business and Sustainability, Marketing, Strategic management , Finance, OB and Nonprofit management and leadership which are in great demand among others.
That was a good set of questions to begin with :D
Best regards,
Angad Chowdhary
2012 Winter session Schulich mba aspirants (Keele campus)