How to get an American MBA as an Indian tech professional.
If you want to get into the American MBA programs, it’s important to understand what the application and admission process involves, whether you are applying on your own or with an American college or university as part of a dual degree program. Even though there are many differences in the application processes between different countries, schools, and programs, there are also some significant similarities that you can use to your advantage. If you have an American MBA and want to live in the US, this guide will help you make the right decisions about where to apply and how to maximize your chances of getting accepted.
Why Study in the USA?
Some have suggested that students from India may be better off studying their MBA in India, but there are several good reasons why one should consider enrolling in an American program:
1) Its employability, 2) It is globally recognized, 3) The network with top-tier companies (The alumni base). Indian MBAs can actually give you a decisive edge for entry into multinationals like Google, GE and Microsoft. MBA admission consultants help students prepare for graduate school admissions tests and apply to schools outside of their home country.
Which Program?
Choosing which MBA program to attend can be tricky and time-consuming. Programs are different in terms of mission, focus, location, etc., so a huge part of your decision will depend on what you’re looking for in your education; do you want a business school that focuses on entrepreneurship? On general management? On finance? Do you want a hands-on educational experience or would you prefer a more relaxed classroom environment? It’s also important to take into account how much money you have to spend—as well as whether or not you plan on getting financial aid from your current employer. While most programs require that students have at least two years of work experience before applying, some schools accept candidates with only one year under their belt—and others even accept applicants who don’t yet have a job lined up.
Preparing For The GMAT
Preparing for your upcoming GMAT is a lot like packing for a vacation: you want to make sure you have everything before you leave so that nothing will catch you off guard. Although every person’s situation is different, there are some steps every test-taker should take leading up to their test date and on it, too. You might even want to make your prep part of your wee routine! Taking a GMAT prep course like MBA HOUSE can also help you brush up on your skills and deepen your understanding of subjects, even if you have already completed a graduate degree in your field. It will also give you realistic practice with upcoming exam questions and help prepare you for test day itself. As someone who has spent a lot of time prepping for tests, I’ve found it helpful to make test prep part of my routine! Private tutoring is included and MBA House only works with official questions.
Optional Tips
Getting into business school is about two things: luck and performance. Even if you have fantastic grades, a great GMAT score, amazing recommendation letters, and an experience- packed resume, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get in somewhere—but, thankfully, admissions committees know they can’t tell who will be a great student without looking at your work first. That means it’s imperative that you nail every single step of your application from beginning to end.
Qualifying Tests
Gre prep is a necessary prerequisite for admissions as well if you decide for this test instead the GMAT, but it’s not enough on its own. In some ways, it can even be misleading, because test prep is so completely different from your actual courses at business school that it gives you no perspective about what you’re in for once you start your education. GRE and GMAT are totally different tests in terms of preparation and execution. Try to evaluate with a consultant what is the best for you.
Visas & Essentials
Prospective business students should start by consulting a good admissions consultant and a visa expert, so that they can be prepped on their application essays, know all of their options, and be sure they’re following all necessary steps to gain admission into one of these highly competitive programs. The admissions consultants will also help you identify what schools are best for your goals and will help you craft your applications in order to make yourself stand out from other applicants. These professionals are invaluable when it comes to getting accepted into a top program. A top MBA program gives you best shots in terms of employability and better jobs mean better salaries and longer work visas until an eventual citizenship.
How Much Does it Cost?
It’s easy to say that an MBA is going to cost you $200,000 in tuition and fees, but what are you really paying for? What’s included in that price? What are some money-saving strategies you can use? Is it possible that you can pay less than your friend or family member who went down a different path and ended up getting the same education? All of these questions need answers if you want to know how much it costs. You should also think about why you want an MBA: is it just because everyone else has one, or do you have a real passion for business and management studies? Business schools offer all sorts of financial aid packages and scholarship opportunities, so don’t feel like you have to pay full sticker price—it might be worth taking out loans or tapping into savings to avoid debt later on. Many employers will help defray tuition costs by contributing funds directly to your MBA program; if you have multiple job offers at graduation time, make sure to ask each employer what their policy is regarding funding part or all of your degree.
After You Graduate
A master’s degree is a big investment, so it makes sense that you want to maximize your earning potential after you graduate. The average starting salary for M.B.A graduates was $182,500 in 2016, and post-MBA paychecks continue to grow over time—by 91 percent five years after graduation on average . Your program’s career services office can connect you with recruiters from major corporations, who can also advise you on which jobs will be most lucrative once you have your degree.
Now that you know what your investment will pay off in terms of salary, it’s time to consider which career you want—and which jobs that career requires. Remember, though: An M.B.A is a great stepping stone toward many high-level management positions, so don’t lock yourself into a single field or role before checking out your options and talking with recruiters at hiring companies.
