Choosing among the world's top business schools<\/p>\n
Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Even though there are several universities in Indonesia
\noffering a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree
\nprogram, many Indonesian professionals are turning to
\ninternational business schools.<\/p>\n
Studying overseas in an MBA program not only allows graduates
\nto have a multicultural experience and insight into international
\nbusiness opportunities, but also to be very competitive in the
\nmarketplace.<\/p>\n
There are many well-known overseas universities that offer an
\nMBA program in both English speaking and non-English speaking
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Harvard Business School in the U.S., Kellog School of
\nManagement, also in the U.S., INSEAD in France, London Business
\nSchool in the United Kingdom, Rotterdam School of Management in
\nthe Netherlands, Melbourne Business School in Melbourne,
\nMacquarie Graduate School of Management in Sydney, the University
\nof Otago School of Business in New Zealand, International
\nUniversity of Japan (Niigata) and National University of
\nSingapore business school -- to name a few -- are among the
\nworld's top-tier business schools that frequently appear in
\nranking tables.<\/p>\n
The standard period for a full-time MBA course in most
\ncountries is two years, with an average of US$25,000 for tuition
\nper annum. Several universities in Europe like France's INSEAD
\nand Switzerland's Institute for Management Development (IMD)
\noffer a one-year MBA program.<\/p>\n
Education advisors say that MBA rankings might help
\nprospective students to identify prospective MBA schools, but the
\nrankings should not be regarded as the only measure of a good MBA
\nschool.<\/p>\n
Basing the selection of a school through its rankings leads to
\nthe mistaken view that failure to gain entry into one of the top
\nbusiness schools means taking an MBA would not be worthwhile.<\/p>\n
Normally, overseas universities that are internationally
\nrecognized set high academic requirements because they want to
\nmaintain their reputation, said Ericas Syarif, Education Advise
\nService Coordinator at the American-Indonesian Exchange
\nFoundation (AMINEF).<\/p>\n
\"For instance, the usual requirement in terms of academic
\nachievement would be a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75
\nbut to enter top U.S. universities offering MBA program like
\nWharton Business School (University of Pennsylvania) or Sloan
\nSchool of Management (University of Massachusetts), students
\nshould have a minimum GPA of between 3.5 and 3.7,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"The important thing is that you should know why you want to
\nget an MBA degree and what field you would work in upon
\ngraduation,\" she said.<\/p>\n
If you are considering taking an MBA course and you are
\ncurrently working for a Japanese company in a managerial
\nposition, then Japan would be the right choice.<\/p>\n
Studying in Japan at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)
\nor the International University of Japan for an MBA would allow a
\nstudent to gain knowledge of the Japanese management system and
\nbusiness culture.<\/p>\n
\"The universities in Japan have a high degree of diversity as
\nstudents come from all over the world. This enables foreign
\nstudents to improve communication skills and build networks among
\nfuture partners and colleagues,\" said Jeremy Breaden, associate
\nmanager, admissions office of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific
\nUniversity.<\/p>\n
Requirements for would-be MBA students set by most
\nuniversities include submission of evidence of academic
\nachievement, a score in the Graduate Management Admission Test
\n(GMAT) and two to three years of relevant working experience.<\/p>\n
If MBA program you choose is taught in English, no matter
\nwhich country you study in you will obviously be required to
\nprove your English language proficiency, usually in the form of a
\ntest such as TOEFL or IELTS.<\/p>\n
But if you are considering a program taught in Japanese, a
\nhigh degree of proficiency in Japanese would be a must, said
\nJeremy.<\/p>\n
Below are some tips to help decide where to take an MBA.<\/p>\n
- Make an honest self-analysis and determine why you want to
\ntake a MBA and in what field you would be most content working.<\/p>\n
- Obtain an overview of reputable schools and contact
\nrepresentatives of overseas universities or attend an education
\nfair.<\/p>\n
- Compare various rankings, but do not rely on rankings in the
\nschool selection process.<\/p>\n
- Speak to alumni from your shortlist of schools to develop a
\nfeeling for the culture of each one.<\/p>\n
- Narrow down your list to several schools, let's say to five
\nschools.<\/p>\n
- Be sure that your background and goals fit in required
\nquantitative measures, such as the Graduate Management Admission
\nTest (GMAT) scores.<\/p>\n
- Consider an area of specialization. For example,
\nentrepreneurship, finance, marketing or technology.<\/p>\n
- Also consider a profile of participants, such as average
\nage, educational background, work experience, and languages
\nrequired.<\/p>\n
- Look at the selection of companies actively recruiting from
\nthe school in the last 12 months to know the quality of the
\nprogram.<\/p>\n
- Compare tuition fees required from one school to another.<\/p>\n
- Decide your budget and how you are going to finance your
\nstudies after deciding to take an MBA and identifying a group of
\ntarget schools.<\/p>\n
- Find out if there is any possibility of getting a
\nscholarship to make the programs affordable.<\/p>\n
- Make realistic estimates of your earning potential post-MBA
\nto judge what you can afford.<\/p>",
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