Hi! I (Indian/F) was admitted to a T-10 school last year through EA. My visa was rejected the first time, so I had to defer. I received only 20K in scholarship, and I wasn’t happy with the amount, but I decided to move forward because I need to get out of my deadend job.

This was one of two offers I received. The other was from a lower T-25 school, which offered me 70K. I tried to leverage that offer to negotiate more money from the T-10, but it didn’t work.

I don’t want to stay in the US after my OPT expires, so I decided to go with the higher ranked school with a stronger brand name. Technically, I can afford the COA, but it would still be a HUGE financial burden.

I don’t have any promotions to show the adcom to help me negotiate more scholarship money. My last resort is to significantly improve my GRE score, which is currently below 320.

Would a higher GRE score be enough to move the needle and convince the adcom to offer me more money? Does anyone have any other suggestions that might work in my situation?

Thanks!

Basically the title.

I have the opportunity to get a Canadian passport in 2 yrs but in that 2 yrs I would like to apply for MBA as well. But I do not plan to live in Canada long term. Is a Canadian MBA worth it just for the passport?

Considering an MBA in the United States but have questions about visas, immigration policies, or your ability to work after graduation?

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Hey everyone! I’m 29F, a UK pharmacist living in London with around 4 years of community pharmacy experience and I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to build a career in North America.

The US has always been somewhere I’ve felt drawn to. I’ve travelled there quite a bit, have friends and family there and love the opportunities and earning potential. Obviously I’m not blind to the political situation, healthcare issues and everything else going on over there so I do have my reservations. But it’s still somewhere I’d really love to give a shot.

I’ve already explored a couple of routes:

1. US pharmacist licensing: Looked into the whole FPGEC/NAPLEX process but the amount of exams, time and money involved is pretty overwhelming. Then there’s the H-1B sponsorship issue. From speaking to quite a few people, finding an employer willing to sponsor seems incredibly difficult with opportunities often being in less desirable or remote locations. As a woman moving alone that’s not particularly appealing.
2. MBA route: I actually started preparing for the GMAT and researching/applying to business schools. But realistically, I’d need a VERY generous scholarship to make it work. Between the financial commitment, visa uncertainty, restrictions on working as an international student and no guarantee of being able to stay after graduating it just felt like a massive gamble.

So here’s my latest idea:
Someone recommended Nova Scotia’s Streamlined Pathway for internationally educated pharmacists which avoids the usual PEBC exams. I’m seriously considering going down this route, getting licensed in Canada and working in community pharmacy initially.
My longer term plan would be to eventually move to Toronto, network like crazy and try to break into the pharmaceutical industry, ideally with a multinational company. If things go well, I’d be more than happy to build a career and settle in Canada. But ideally I’d love to eventually explore an internal transfer to a US office assuming I meet the immigration requirements.
I know breaking into pharma from community isn’t exactly easy and I’m definitely not assuming a company transfer automatically means a US visa!

To be completely transparent, Canada wasn’t originally my first choice mainly because the salaries don’t seem massively different from the UK especially compared with the US. But I’m starting to think it might be a more sensible and stable way to build a future in North America rather than spending years chasing an uncertain US visa.
I’m also just genuinely tired of community pharmacy. The workload, constant pressure, lack of respect and limited progression have really put me off doing this forever. At this point I want a career with great earning potential, proper progression, decent benefits and a good quality of life. I don’t mind working hard to get there, I just want to make sure I’m putting that effort into something worthwhile.

So I guess my questions are:
Am I being realistic with this Canada → pharma industry → potentially US plan, or is it much harder than I’m imagining?

Has anyone actually managed to transition from community pharmacy into pharma in Canada, particularly Toronto?
Would you personally pursue this route, or reconsider US licensing/MBA instead?

Are there any other routes or opportunities I might have completely overlooked?

I’d genuinely LOVE to hear from anyone who’s been in a similar position, especially international pharmacists who’ve successfully made the move or people already working in the industry. Even if you know someone who’s done something similar or could point me towards the right people to speak to, that would mean a lot!
I’m just trying to make a smart decision for my future rather than waste years going down the wrong path. Any advice, reality checks or success stories would be massively appreciated! :)

Someone in our section suggested a "chill Saturday thing, nothing fancy" in the group chat yesterday.

It was a winery trip. $165 per person for the shuttle and tasting, not including food.

One of the responses was "that's actually pretty cheap."

I'm a first-year at a US full-time program, living mostly on savings and loans. I knew the social side would be expensive. I budgeted for dinners, drinks, club events, some travel. What I didn't anticipate was how quickly a random weekend plan could turn into a $200 decision.

Last month I skipped two group outings because I couldn't justify the cost. Nobody was mean about it, but the invitations have already started slowing down. I get it. People naturally keep inviting the ones who usually say yes.

The awkward part is explaining why. "Can't make it" sounds like I'm uninterested. "Can't afford it" feels like sharing my bank balance with people I've known for six weeks.

And I'm not judging anyone who wants to spend their money on trips. Some classmates worked in IB or consulting before school and have the savings to enjoy two years off. Good for them.

I just find it funny that we're surrounded by people who can build a three-statement model but somehow can't organize a Saturday afternoon that costs less than a utility bill.

I'd happily get tacos, play cards, watch a game, whatever. I actually like these people. I just can't spend $150 every time I want to see them outside class.

Anyone else dealing with this, or is my section particularly committed to expensive relaxation?

200k+ post MBA base.
Thoughts ?

Lovely Reddit Ad I came across 😂😂😂

I’m a 2nd Year MBA student in a T15 program. I will be going joining strategy consulting at a Big 4 after graduation. Long term, I see myself in corporate finance or a strategic finance role. Is it worth it for me to pursue a CPA to get a better understanding of technical accounting knowledge?

For my state’s CPA requirements, I will need an additional 20 accounting credits (I have a B.S. in economics) so I was thinking of enrolling in Texas A&M’s online, part-time MS in Accounting for the structured, quality education and assistance with CPA exams prep. I’m a veteran, so fortunately, cost of education is covered.

Is this thought process of mine crazy? Is a CPA worth my time and effort? Will it widen my potential career opportunities? I do genuinely love learning, and I volunteer with VITA so at least I have a bit of tax knowledge 🤷🏻‍♀️

I truly think I have a knowledge gap in accounting and finance, but while the MBA has been very helpful in filling the finance gaps, I have only taken the required accounting course and Managerial Accounting. There aren’t many accounting courses to choose from, in general. Please help, or tell me I’m crazy

every thread on here is about which consultant to pick n nobody talks about when u dont need one, my stats are at or above median for my targets n the friends who read my drafts say they're solid, do i need an MBA admissions consultant at all or am i fine on my own?

Hypothetically, putting aside the fact that the kind of person who gets an 805 probably has high aptitude to excel in other aspects, how much more would a perfect GMAT score matter Compared to say, a already high score in the low 700s?

I am sorry if someone already asked this. My wife just scored 695 in her GMAT and we were looking at schools to apply in

Would you categorize LBS Mba in the same pool as M7?

Thank you

Hi folks,

I've been debating whether pursuing an MBA is the right decision for me, and I'm hoping to get some perspectives from people who have been through this process.

I'm a 29-year-old Indian currently living in Bangalore. I had the misfortune of being trained for competitive exams from the age of 13, so I ended up doing reasonably well in national examinations, olympiads, college, etc. and graduated with an 8.9/10 from an old IIT with a degree in Mathematics and Computing. I've been coasting along in a relatively cushy big-tech-ish job for the last 6 years. I have got 2 promotions so far and due for the third in July 2027, of course if I don't get laid off before that.

I haven't been particularly interested in an MBA so far, largely because I've been quite clear about what I don't want to do. During my pre-final year, I interned with the quant team at a large American investment bank (GS/JPMC). This was pre-COVID, and a few months there were enough to make me realise that I didn't want to work in finance pulling in 70-hour weeks while becoming a bowl of diabetes. I've also seen the career trajectories of my brothers, who followed a fairly similar path (IIT engineering, MBA at LBS/INSEAD, MBB Partner), and realised that I don't want consulting life either.

When I look at the most common post-MBA employment tracks for international students at M7/T15 schools and LBS, they seem to revolve around three options: consulting, finance and technology product management. I'm not particularly interested in tech PM either.

So I'm trying to understand what are the options for international students at these schools beyond these three traditional tracks, which have reasonable level of success rate and not like super rare? I know I can come back to India and stay in tech while moving into tech management, but I can't come back to India. The larger reason behind this move is my realisation that I need to move to a country where I can start a family which is not possible in India in the absence of same-sex marriage and family laws. So returning back is not an option. My other option is standard MS + Job/MS + PhD + Academia route in Europe. I have figured that out and have several options to make it work in Europe, but before committing to it completely, I want to properly explore if MBA really is not the practical thing for me.

Also a practical question about admission process - I've recently taken the IELTS and GRE, scoring 8.5/9 in IELTS and 161V/170Q in the GRE. AWA results are not out yet, but I think I should get at least a 4.0 (I wrote 600+ words). If I do eventually decide to pursue an MBA in next round, now is the time I can do the tests. I know GMAT/GRE is just one part of the application but even in that context would my GRE score be sufficient across these schools, or would taking the GMAT be worthwhile?

Hi guys,

I’m an entry/mid level R&D scientist in one of big pharma companies. I want to do strategy/consultant job in the future. I am thinking about doing a part time MBA will be the answer combining my science background with industry experience. I don’t have any real life examples I can follow and prove the idea is right. Is there anyone transitioning from similar background can give my some advices? Appreciate any thoughts!

Hi everyone,
I'm applying to US MBA programs for Fall 2027 and I'm struggling with how to frame my short-term goals given the current environment.

Background: I'm not a US citizen. My understanding is that a STEM-designated MBA would let me work for up to 3 years on OPT + STEM OPT, but I'd still need H-1B sponsorship to stay longer term. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)

programs: CMU Tepper, Texas McCombs, Berkeley Haas, W Foster, UCLA, Ross and Cornell Johnson.

Short-term goal:

Plan A: Product management at an AI company like Anthropic, NVIDIA, or OpenAI, ideally on consumer-facing products with high-growth challenges.

Plan B: Join MBB and advise companies on consumer products and product strategy.

Long-term goal: Use the experience and network I build in big tech or consulting to start my own K-12 education business in Brazil.

My concern: With the recently proposed OPT fees and tighter visa rules, I'm worried these plans could fall apart, or that adcoms might see my short-term goal as unrealistic. And I am not sure about how to frame the short term goals correctly. I am aware this is a very common mistake.

A few questions:
Are adcoms penalizing international applicants whose goals depend on US work authorization?

Should I frame my goal more broadly (e.g., "PM in consumer tech") instead of naming specific companies?

Is it smart to mention a non-US path (like MBB in Brazil ) as a backup?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

I want to know about Macquarie University for an MBA and wanted to get some honest feedback from the community.

1. How is the overall reputation and quality of the university, especially for business studies?

2. What is the actual placement rate for MBA graduates?

3. How effective is the career services department in helping students secure roles after graduation?

If you are an alum or a current student, I would love to hear about your experience with the program and the industry connections the university provides.

Unlike all the other invites I’ve received so far GSB seems keen on matching you to a very Specific interviewer that matches your profile as opposed to based on availability. So I’m wondering cause mine is with ah Adcom.

Cause the general consensus on this sub is alums only see your resume so is being assigned to an adcom meant to poke holes in my application?

Hi All, I feel I have a solid experience in a big bank and Big4. I am planning to apply for a test waiver given the time constraint for the next round. Do we need to specifically mention why we need this waiver or just highlighting on our quant and leadership skills would be sufficient?

Any insights would help a lot!

Background: Big4 Tech Consultant with a few years of experience, US citizen but Not NYC Based, and not tuition sponsored by current firm

I was recently admitted to the NYU Stern Koo Tech MBA with a partial scholarship and am on the fence on following through with the MBA pursuit.

Given not being from NYC already, uncertainty with obtaining a job after graduation, and having to apply for tuition sponsorship from my company through a retroactive route (possibility of not receiving sponsorship and a return offer while already at school), I am having some concerns.

Originally was planning to test the waters with the amount of scholarship that could be provided before making the decision. Ideal hope was a full but now a partial has had me on the fence.

Open to any advice on what people would do in my situation, how the job market is looking for obtaining a full-time role given no internship, and if paying ~80K in the worse outcome situation is a feasible decision.

Appreciate any insight!

I'm 31 with a toddler, recruiting for IB associate roles, and I think my cohort quietly thinks I'm an idiot.

During a coffee chat yesterday, a 29 year old VP kept saying "at your stage" like I was his dad's age. Most of the alumni associates I'm sourcing off our school’s recruiterbase portal graduated college after I had my first real job. My wife is supportive, but her face when I explain IB hours says otherwise.

Anyone here go into banking post-MBA with a young kid and not regret it? Or is this something people politely avoid telling you is dumb?

Hi! I applied a few days ago. Anyone else?

Did anyone get an offer from Samsung GSG for FT role after interviews? Did they give any timeline regarding when the results would be out?

3.3 GPA from a state school, engineering major, 710 GMAT on my first try. Everyone posting profiles on here seems to have a 3.8. Is a 3.3 GPA too low for a top MBA program or should i still apply to the M7 schools I'm interested in?

Hello yall!! Im from Mangalore. As a final year mba in Core Marketing what shud we work on to get selected during campus recruitment or what is it that the companies are looking for? Does having work experience, internship or certificate courses help a fresher to land a job? Plz can anyone guide me on how to work work towards getting a job at a very less time.Any suggestions or advices or any recommendations plz feel free to share. I really need help

Hi everyone,

I'm a Chartered Accountant from India with around 10 years of experience across transaction advisory and sovereign investing.

I spent six years at PwC India in Transaction Services, progressing to Manager and working on 15+ transactions worth over $13bn. I then spent four years as a Senior Investment Associate at the one of the smaller SWF in UAE, working on investment evaluation, divestments and portfolio value creation.

I'm currently pursuing an MBA at a top B-school in Europe, with an exchange semester at a top USA B-school, and am targeting investment roles at London based mid market PE funds.

I'd love advice from people familiar with the London PE market:

• How effective is cold outreach to partners and investment professionals?
• How do you identify smaller funds hiring off market, without advertised vacancies?
• Which recruiters, platforms or networking strategies have actually worked for you?
• Given my background, what roles and seniority levels should I target?

Would especially appreciate insights from people who've successfully navigated a similar transition.

Thanks!