Hi all, long time reader, first time poster. I recently got accepted to the LBS, INSEAD & Kellogg MBAs for their full time programs starting in August. Here is the situation I am trying to navigate:
- Currently 30, will be 31 by matriculation. Hold a SE Asian passport. I went to school in the US and got (undergrad and masters, 4+1 programs), degrees in math/econ. I have lived and worked in the US since graduating on OPT/H1-B etc.
- Solid progression throughout my career (bosses liked me, got promoted a few times etc.) I was well-liked enough that the last 2 employers both were willing to file my Green Card applications (this will be relevant a bullet down) but I wanted to follow the best path for my career so switched jobs to achieve that.
- Applied and got accepted to B-school recently. All of them great programs and understand it's about the geography/where I want to be etc. Short term geo, I am agnostic. Can live anywhere on the planet (minus a few places) though my network is primarily in the US and to a lesser extent in Asia and would like to be in the US long term
- Post MBA career would likely be consulting/banking though this is where things get interesting. Kellogg is the best brand name out of the three (I think?) and best set up for future progression in the US though I will likely not be eligible for OPT as I used my masters OPT though not my undergrad OPT. Though I can do my summer internship and whatnot with no issues but I will likely choose international offices to get a FT offer in those offices
- If I do go to Kellogg, I will likely recruit for a Toronto/ME office so I can work at a major global consulting firm and eventually transfer internally over to the US at some point and bypass some of the immigration headaches
- Is this a bad plan/huge risk? I know I would be decently competitive at most places if I did the leg work and got started early. INSEAD being only year makes the banking route tougher whereas LBS is v London focused which I am cool with.
- How tough will it be for me to choose an office location outside the US if I am at Kellogg?
tl;dr: trying to make the best B-school decision based on short/long term geo payoffs
Thank you! Appreciate the detailed comment. The only thing stopping me from Kellogg is recruiting for a Middle East/Toronto office in the short term post MBA. Though the summer internship is invaluable and will be helpful for me to get a role I would be excited about. I am networking and continuing to sign up for pre MBA programs to boost my chances.