Why MBA?

Tests after tests, edits after reedits, discussions after discussions, efforts after efforts, interviews after interviews, negotiations after negotiations, hurdles after hurdles, phone calls after phone calls, rejections after rejections and finally thinking after thinking I decided to pursue MBA @Thunderbird School of Global Management. 

But behind the decision there is almost one year of unwavering "one last effort” to pursue MBA, five years of continuous failed attempts to get over the idea of MBA desire, ten years of a dream to study in a top notch college and to have a decent sleep. All these factors contributed me to look over different B-schools across the world. I searched and applied for different schools in CANADA, EUROPE, SINGAPORE, INDIA, Africa and USA. During this process I came to know about different educational systems in the world and where more scholarships are available and how education is taught across the world. One thing I can conclude is if you have enough money, intelligence and planning getting into top schools is not a big deal.

Coming back to my story apart from planning my expenses I didn't planned enough on how to apply to the schools nor I got guidance on how to start. I learnt the things on-hand while applying to the B-schools. Here I am jotting down my learnings:

1)   Very little scholarships are available for non-resident students in CANADA, EUROPE, and SINGAPORE.

2) No scholarships for non-resident students in Africa.

3) The salary difference after graduating for non-European students in UK is around $20,000 less when compared to European students.

4) Post working Visa regulations in UK are getting tougher and tougher.

5) Post working Visa can be very easily obtained in CANADA.

6) In US if you are not into any of the top 15 B-school then the standard of teaching and infrastructure for rest of the top 50 schools is almost same. Ranking differs majorly due to placements, funding, cost, location etc.,

7) Dream Inturships / Jobs are obtained majorly due to one’s willingness to get those jobs rather than the school’s help.

8) Studying aboard though expensive will bring the hidden capabilities in you to the surface.

9) Banks in India are now offering huge loans for the students going aboard for studies. 10 lakhs to 15 lakhs loans are offered without collateral from some of the banks. If one has own house in the cities, banks are willing to lend around 25 lakhs to 30 lakhs loans without much hiccups.

10) Studying MS in US costs around 20 to 25 lakhs where MBA costs around 45 to 55 Lakhs.

11) Classes for MS range from 4 to 5 days with 6 hours of classes. Rest of the time one can do part time  jobs to cover up the costs.

12) Classes for MBA range from 5 days a week with 14 hours of effort required each day. Doing part time jobs would be difficult.

13) If you are from middle class background and wanted to study MBA please plan 4 to 5 years in advance to cover the financial expenses. Assuming limited scholarship.

14) Please share your study plans with your family members well in advance so that they are well informed about your plans and will get ready to support you.

When I revealed my decision  about admission. Most of people questioned me.Why studies now? Why going aboard? When will you get married? You have a stable job here right? Why are you taking risks?  You have to do right things at the right time.  You are too late to do MBA now blah blah blah. There is a lot of social conditioning. Initially there was huge No from lot of my family and friends. Its not for somebody I am doing MBA nor it is for money I wanted to pursue MBA. It was for the fear in me that always says play safe. The same fear, which is hindering me to live my life with ease. I can consciously feel it. The fear is growing day by day and before it becomes a monster and kills me psychologically I want to eradicate it. Now I am not playing safe anymore. I am moving out of my very very comfort zone, moving into a system which operates in different fashion and all with limited cash in my hand.

I wanted to survive, let my fear along with its ego die. I want to cherish this journey like I did while I eradicated my fear of water by learning swimming. I want to experience the FREEDOM. Freedom from unreal fears and unwanted worries. The MBA journey is the one step in that direction.

PS: Thanks to My father, Teju , Chatrapathy, Pavithran ,Vishnu, Grameena Bank and myself for helping to become better person.

PPS: Special thanks to Virinchi garu, Gani, Kartheek, Karthik,Bala ,Praveen,Chaitu bava,Kanthiah Mama, Raghu Mama, Vishnu, Manoj ,Raghu,Chaitanya, Ravi , Vicky.