Many Indian MBA applicants who are interested in going abroad for their MBA know about the M7–the top seven business programmes in the US–because they are highly ranked names that are globally recognised. But the reality is, there are so many amazing programmes out there, which offer a better fit and real advantages for their students. And restricting yourself to the M7 might not be realistic, or beneficial, for you.
At The Red Pen, we interact with admissions officers and representatives from top global MBA programmes through campus visits and information sessions in Mumbai, and membership in professional organisations such as AIGAC. This helps us dig deep and understand how certain programmes can help Indian applicants get the most out of their business school experience. These interactions enable us to give our clients more information about fit, philosophy and opportunities. It is also an exciting way to learn about what’s new at business schools, what the programme has to offer applicants and what it expects applicants to bring to its community.
Here are snapshots of five MBA programmes to seriously consider if you are looking for engaging learning opportunities, professional networks and a transformative experience:
| Business School | Acceptance Rate | Average GMAT Score (Class of 2023) | Average Work Experience (years) | Average Undergraduate GPA | Class Size | Alumni Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INSEAD | 31% | 710 | 3-8 | – | 1,000 (over two intakes) | 49,500+ |
| Ross School of Business | 37% | 722 | 5 | 3.53 | 398 | 52,000+ |
| Tepper School of Business | 29.9% | 691 | 5 | 3.35 | 231 | 17,000+ |
| Schulich School of Business | – | 660* | 5 | 3.00 | 420 | 34,000+ |
| IE Business School | 41% | 670* | 7.4 | 3.4 | 686 | 60,000+ |
*Scores not available for the Class of 2023
1) INSEAD, for the globalist:
With campuses in four locations–Fontainebleau, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and San Francisco–all fully integrated, plus countless other opportunities for international exchange, INSEAD truly is the global business school. While it’s possible to spend the entirety of this fast-paced, intense, 10-month programme on one campus, most students choose to divide their time between at least two countries. But while the scenery and business opportunities change, the quality of instruction and programming remains the same.
Many business schools talk about diversity, but INSEAD lives it daily. If you are looking for a programme that will give you an expanded understanding of the world, which you can leverage to transform your career, this is the programme for you. With prominent alumni ranging from the former CEO of Credit Suisse, the managing director of Tata International, the former president of Switzerland, an Oscar-winning filmmaker and Dutch and Luxembourger royalty, among thousands of others, the INSEAD network is truly limitless.
INSEAD rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (2022): 7
- Financial Times Ranking (2022): 3
Some other factors to consider:
- Employment rate: 89% (after three months)
- Nationalities represented: 110
- Percentage of women students: 33.7%
- One of the programme’s requirements is fluency in two languages with an interest in gaining familiarity with a third over the course of the MBA
2) Ross School of Business, for the hands-on learner:
If you are looking for a truly interdisciplinary experience, Ross School of Business might be the perfect place for you. Ross School of Business’ commitment to action-based learning infuses every aspect of its MBA experience. From crisis management exercises in which students work to address urgent management issues over an intense 24 hour period to the MAP project—Ross School of Business’ signature programme in which MBA students spend seven weeks in a company located anywhere in the world developing a real solution to the company’s real-life problem—everything at Ross School of Business is hands-on, professionally focused and student-centric.
With the vast resources of the University of Michigan and ample access for exchange, interdisciplinary inquiry and collaboration, including a variety of dual-degree options, this programme is as far from a rigid business-only education as you can get, while still retaining the core rigour and training of a world-class MBA experience. With alumni ranging from the former CEO of General Mills and the CEO of PNC to the co-founder and CEO of Syntel and an MSNBC anchor, Ross School of Business alumni work in every industry under the sun. Through the MAP project and other hands-on opportunities, backed by their focus on building strong analytical skills, Ross School of Business alumni walk out of the programme with a comprehensive global network and professional connections.
Ross School of Business rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (2022): 20
- Financial Times Ranking (2022): 24
Some other factors to consider:
- Employment rate: 98% (after three months)
- Percentage of international students: 28%
- Percentage of women students: 46%
3) Tepper School of Business, for the numbers guru:
If you believe that leaders are taught, not born, then Tepper School of Business is the place for you. Carnegie Mellon’s MBA programme has the trademark hard-numbers approach the business school is so well known for, with a rigorous approach to business practice and organisational behaviour that equips Tepper graduates for business. At Tepper School of Business, analytics is the name of the game and while not everyone who attends is a former engineer, the students tend to have strong quantitative skills and focus.
With a rigid core curriculum in the first year, students don’t have access to electives until the second year. But the logic behind this is to create a strong foundation of shared knowledge and vocabulary as well as to provide an informed perspective for the right elective choices that support future career goals. Tepper School of Business students have full access to all of Carnegie Mellon University’s resources and can take courses in any of the world-renowned, top-ranked programmes, such as computer science, robotics, life sciences, design, engineering and entertainment. With alumni like the co-founder of Cognizant Technology Solutions, scientific research pioneers, economists and sports professionals, Tepper School of Business has a long history of MBA graduates who make a difference in management practice. Intimate, data-driven and strategic-thinking oriented, Tepper School of Business prides itself in providing students with strong analytic tools that can create high-impact solutions to business problems efficiently and quickly.
Tepper School of Business rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (2022): 41
- Financial Times Ranking (2022): 23
Some other factors to consider:
- Employment rate: 96% (after three months)
- Percentage of international students: 34%
- Percentage of women students: 21%
4) Schulich School of Business, for the customiser:
With endless options and electives, a campus in Hyderabad and an integrated approach to management education, York University’s business school is truly customisable and meets the needs of a wide variety of students. With the option to split your time between the Canada and Hyderabad campuses, Indian students can truly adapt their business education to their business needs and leverage their MBA for a global shift or a deeper local engagement.
The programme’s unique eight-month-long consulting project is a tremendous learning opportunity that allows Schulich School of Business students to gain hands-on experience and connect with companies, industries and a larger business environment. The project places students within a team for an extended period of time to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the business and finally present recommendations to the company itself. With alumni like the CEO of TD Bank Group, the chair of the board of the Royal Bank of Canada and founders of everything from recording studios to NGOs, Schulich School of Business alumni maintain close ties with the university. Located in the financial centre of Canada, Schulich School of Business is perfect for the self-starter who is interested in transforming their thought process, immersing themselves in a long-term, real-world business scenario and customising their experience in various ways.
Schulich School of Business rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (2022): 81
- Financial Times Ranking (2022): –
Some other factors to consider:
- Employment rate: 88% (after three months)
- Percentage of international students: 32%
- Percentage of women students: 40%
5) IE Business School, for the pluralist:
IE Business School, part of the Insituto de Empressa, is a business programme based in Madrid, with an additional undergraduate campus in Segovia. With a unique emphasis on humanities as part of business education, flexible options that incorporate digital and live learning platforms and a strong entrepreneurial focus, IE Business School offers students a rare holistic learning experience. Highly ranked internationally, the programme attracts students with more years of work experience than many other programmes, giving the community an in-depth focus and diversity of professional and personal perspectives that add tremendous value.
Options for the MBA include 12 and 15-month programmes with high rigour and intensity that enables students to jump back into the business world quickly after graduation. With options to complete dual Master’s courses in programmes like cyber security, visual media, big data and more, IE Business School also allows students to customise their degree and study everything that interests them. With alumni like the President & CEO of BMW in North America, the founder of Groupon Spain and the Co-Founder and CEO of Busuu, among others, IE Business School’s global connections allow alumni all over the world to remain close. With a price tag that is far lower than many other programmes, but a standard of education that is just as high, IE Business School is a stellar alternate path for an applicant interested in rigorous yet holistic learning.
IE Business School rankings:
- QS World University Rankings (2022): 7
- Financial Times Ranking (2022): 40
Some other factors to consider:
- Employment rate: 95% (after three months)
- Nationalities represented: 69
- Percentage of women students: 32%
There are many other stellar programmes to consider before applying. At The Red Pen, we have helped applicants gain admission to the top 20 global MBA programmes. To know more about how we can help you with your MBA application, get in touch with us.
