1. Your Personal Priorities
Choosing an MBA program is a significant decision that will impact you for years, not just months. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider your personal priorities. Think about where you want to live during your studies and after graduation. Proximity to family and friends, and your budget are also important factors.
For instance, Anouk Rossier chose to enroll in the IMD MBA to establish a permanent base in her native Switzerland after extensive travel as a McKinsey associate. She wanted to build a strong network in Switzerland and IMD’s strong local presence facilitated that goal. Additionally, IMD offers various funding options, with 48% of students receiving financial assistance. Anouk secured a scholarship, making her MBA journey more affordable.
2. The Learning Environment
An MBA program is not just about professional goals but also about personal development through new knowledge, skills, and experiences. The learning environment plays a significant role in this. Some MBA programs have large cohorts, while others are smaller and more intimate.
The IMD MBA class of 2023, for example, comprises 87 students from 36 nationalities. This smaller class size was a key factor for Gianluca Perino, who was accustomed to small, close-knit groups from his career in the Marina Militare and the US Navy. He preferred the personal attention and stronger bonds available in a smaller learning environment. IMD’s location near major corporations and research hubs also provides excellent networking and learning opportunities outside the classroom.
3. The MBA Curriculum
The curriculum structure is integral to the learning environment of a business school. While most MBA programs cover fundamental business areas, the specific content and delivery can vary.
At IMD, leadership is a central theme, integrated into core and elective modules, and experiential learning opportunities. This approach attracted Anouk, who valued the hands-on leadership training and feedback. The IMD curriculum also emphasizes practical learning, with 40% dedicated to experiential components like consulting projects, international expeditions, and internships.
4. Your Career Plans
Your career goals are a crucial consideration when choosing an MBA program. Many students, like Gianluca, pursue an MBA to transition into a new career. After rising to a senior operations manager in the Marina Militare, Gianluca sought a career change and felt that an MBA was the right step.
Anouk, on the other hand, aimed to advance within her industry. As a life sciences engineering graduate, she wanted to complement her technical expertise with broader business and management knowledge to better understand the business context in the pharmaceutical industry.
Despite their different career goals, both Gianluca and Anouk found that the IMD MBA offered the platform they needed for success. Gianluca chose IMD for its reputation as a top school, while Anouk appreciated the opportunity to blend her engineering background with business acumen.
Conclusion
When choosing an MBA program, consider how each option aligns with your personal and professional goals. Evaluate the learning environment, curriculum, location, and financial aspects to find the program that best suits your needs. If a business school seems to fit your goals, it might be the right MBA for you.
