00514339 wrote:
I got an admit from UNC Kenan Flagler with a full ride scholarship and ISB Hyderabad with No scholarship.
Background : I have 4.5yrs of work ex in IndianOil Corporation Limited a leading oil and gas company in india. I've worked in supply&chain, Operations, sales and marketing roles and post mba i plan to transit towards the strategy consulting field.
Long term i dont have any plans of such but plan to work on a higher management roles.
If i go for UNC KF the financial cost will be around 35L for two years and gain an international exposure.
For ISB Hyd, i'll be staying back in India with a 1year course of 42-45L cost and get immediately placed in a job.
I'm being skeptical about the current market situation but dont know how it is going to be in next 1 yr or 2yrs.
I'm open to work anywhere.
Kindly help me decide.
00514339 Congratulations on the coveted admits. As we say, as the MBA journey progresses, we find the last step to be easier than the next! Rather than trying to find the answer outside, you will have to find answers within yourself. Hope these few considerations can help nudge you in the right direction (And I am not taking sides here).
- Comfort Zone Have you shied away from failures in the past? Did the fear of failure or a fear of rejection keep you from venturing into spaces where you could not be exceptional? Did you avoid taking up challenges even for the experience of it, in school or when you started your career? The answers to these questions will help you realize whether you are someone who will thrive with the challenges and uncertainties that come with studying outside of India. Needless to say, with your background in the public sector, you may be accustomed to getting things done in a very "set" manner. If you want to break away from this practice and challenge yourself, studying and working abroad for some time might do you good. Otherwise, safe options (ISB in this case) are always good.
- Professional Goals I personally see ISB as a safe entryway to grabbing senior and better-paid opportunities in the dynamic Indian startup scene. Now, I don't know what goals you may have pitched in both your applications, but you can also evaluate the kind of opportunities you will likely have after ISB vs UNC. My prediction is that after ISB, if you continue to work in India, the next two years will be a very steep learning curve for you, even more so if you join a startup/e-commerce/retail/sector-focused sort of consulting role. The market in India is so dynamic (read overworked) that you will simply absorb a lot of learning in the next two years, but then suddenly you may feel burnt out soon if you are not someone who can constantly keep up with the rigor. After UNC, you will face a different kind of struggle- job hunting, sponsorships, and navigating visa situations, of course, but once that is set, the broader work scene is calmer, depending on the sector, a little mundane at times even. Consider whichever situation suits you better.
- Personal Plans If you are young and open to adventure/travel without having many responsibilities, moving to the US can add new dimensions to your professional and personal profile, something you will cherish in the long term. This could be a great opportunity for you to venture out. On the other hand, the global mobility opportunities can come after ISB too, and if you are interested in working in a geography like the Middle East, S.E Asia, or even Europe, if you put your mind to it, you will find good opportunities with the right referrals.
You will notice I did not add financial goals here. The marginal impact of increasing salaries will reduce over time in both geographies. Yes, in the US at some point you may have a bigger car, a bigger house and a bigger bank balance when you convert to other currencies, but that aside, the incremental fulfilment will not vary much. Thats something you may consider in addition to the above.
Best wishes
Get personalized advice tailored to your specific situation. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need help navigating your unique circumstances in the B School admissions process. We do not cap discussion hours with our applicants.Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD admissions interviewer)MBAGuideConsulting
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