Very good points raised, but ...

Let's understand how US b-schools are usually positioned. It is an expensive networking platform. It opens the possibility of creating the mix of geography-industry-function you always wanted. Most of you are changing the geography (India to US) so welcome to hard work. Some also want to change the industry (software to consulting) - more hard work. And some geography-industry-function (engineer to consultant) - so super hard work.

Recruiting: There is a dramatic drop in career opportunities when you go from top 1 - 30 schools. Top 10 are your better bets. Things start getting harder from 10-20. Beyond 20 folks have a very tough time. The better the alumni network in the industry/function you are planning to join, the better chances you have to getting the job. Post MBA it is not just about 'who can do the job' but it is about 'who can do the job and i will love to work with'. If the recruiter does not like you, you do not get the job!

Recruiting for international students: As you move from top 1 - 30, firms change the recruitment dramatically. First, the number of recruiting firms drops then the number of students they hire drops. Second, many firms hire internationals from top schools but not from others. Third, coveted roles may go to folks at higher ranked schools than the other ones.

Academic rigor: MBA is much more than classroom learning. You learn at workplace more than what you learnt in class. Time management, managing people, socializing, building relationships the american way etc. are some of the important skills one has to gain while at school - and that requires a lot of hard work.

Diversity - Super important!

Work permit - If a firm hires internationals anywhere in US then it is possible to network and get hired even if it does not hire internationals at your school. It happens all the time. It is also possible to get a job in the company that did not hire you on campus. Again network and you can get hired off campus - lot of hard work of course!

Cultural differences (americans only want to drink and ... ) If you find hard adapting to new culture, new way of life, stay away. Americans are lot more smarter than many think they are. If you think you are the best, you will find someone at school who is better than you - many times it will be an American.

MBA is an investment, if not managed well, it will definitely give you poor returns. "Read the offer document carefully before investing".

Great topic to discuss. Good luck to folks who are considering MBA. Happy job hunting to current MBAs.

Duke's plan to open campus in India is the very reason why Duke looks less attractive.

Duke has only one MBA degree, which means the MBA degree does not say whether you are a part-time MBA, or cross continent MBA or fulltime MBA and perhaps MBA from xxx location. Duke also claims that there is no difference in the quality of faculty at various locations and programs. Therefore it does not make sense for me to pay 150K and get my degree from Durham. One would rather wait for a couple of years and get a degree from India itself. Even if the tuition fees remain the same, cost of living will certainly be cheaper.

However, Duke vs Ross is one of the toughest decision to make :)

--mbasoldier

Duke vs Ross was very tough.

I spoke to a lot of current students at Duke/Ross. Almost everyone considered Duke/Ross to be similar unless one wanted to specifically get into Healthcare (Duke is better), or Strategy Consulting (Ross is better). Therefore the verdict was one would not make a wrong choice :)

Therefore I based my decision on the basis of cost and alumni reach.

Cost of attendance (COA): Duke looked cheaper for me because of scholarship. However there is a significant difference in the interest rate for loan. Duke was offering 8.25% (prime + 5% where current prime=3.25%. prime is variable) where as Ross was offering 5% (prime + 1.75%). On calculating total loan amount for 5yrs, Ross was more expensive by only 10K.

Alumni reach: Univ. of Michigan has a huge alumni reach. I am not sure how I will be able to leverage that reach nonetheless it presents a bigger window of opportunities.

I will be honest here. I am not 100% sure what I want to do after my MBA. I am open to ideas and possibilities that I will probably figure out once I land at the school. Therefore I assumed it better to go to a school, which is slightly more reputed in every stream.

I am not sure whether my decision is right. If you have any pointers, I will be glad to discuss with you.

Thank you,
mbasoldier

UCLA has a need based scholarship program for international students. ask your friend to enquire with the fin aid office.

--mbasoldier

Hi
One of my friend's has got an R2 admit but without any scholarship/aid. Are there any other "external" scholarship/aid programs that he could apply for?

Folks,
I have decided to join Ross despite 24K scholarship from Duke. And I know at least two more Indian Duke admits (1 male and 1 female) who will be joining a different school. Therefore keep your hopes alive WL folks.

Few speculative observations to make WL folks feel good. PS its speculative!

Duke has a yield of around 51% (source Duke University: Full-Time MBA Profile ? BusinessWeek ) There are about 30 Indian admits from India (may be more. I don't know) including ED, R1 and R2. Therefore I think one can safely expect at least 10 defections.

I do not have any numbers from previous years to support my observations. As I said, its speculative :)

Good luck.
mbasoldier

I am in. However, I am joining Ross. Therefore one I/I/M can certainly take my spot Good luck WL folks. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.

Regards,
mbasoldier

See if 2010 Michigan Ross MBA Waitlist Chat with Soojin Kwon Koh helps. There is a lot of information there.

Good luck.

--mbasoldier

Good read for waitlisted folks 2010 Michigan Ross MBA Waitlist Chat with Soojin Kwon Koh

Although it is for a different school. Nonetheless, a good read.

Folks,
Invites are still under way. I know a friend of mine (I/I/M) who is scheduled for a telephonic interview today in Bangalore. He had received his invite two days ago.

Hang on some more. Good luck.

--mbasoldier

Don't mind but I think we Indians try to deduce too much :)

For some info.

Up til now the admitted and invited students include.

Healthcare professionals
IT professionals
Strategy consultants
Social initiative focus
International finance

These are few profiles.

To keep the privacy of people, i wont be disclosing the names of who's profile is whose.