If you’re considering pursuing an MBA, you might be wondering whether to choose Australia or the US. Abhishek, who recently completed his MBA from Melbourne Business School in Australia, shares his insights on why he chose Australia over the US. Here’s what he had to say:
Background and Decision-Making Process
Abhishek has a background in computer science and engineering, having completed his Bachelor’s from IIT Bombay in India. He worked as a software engineer for close to three years at JP Morgan, where he developed an interest in finance and technology. However, he felt that he lacked management, leadership, and business acumen skills. So, he decided to pursue an MBA from a foreign university.
Abhishek shortlisted a few schools in the US, UK, and Australia. He got accepted into Melbourne Business School in Australia, which was also one of his top choices. He chose Australia over the US and the UK for several reasons, including the fact that the MBA program in Australia is a one-year program, allowing him to get back into the job market quickly with an enhanced skill set. He also felt that Australia would be an easier transition for him since he had been there before, and he had a good understanding of the people and culture. Furthermore, he received a generous scholarship, which made it easier for him to decide to pursue his MBA from Melbourne Business School.
Universities and Application Process
Abhishek applied to several top universities, including Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Wharton, Oxford, London Business School, and Melbourne Business School. He believes that the US has more significant scholarship opportunities than any other country, but he was fortunate enough to receive a 50% scholarship for his MBA program in Australia. Abhishek recommends that applicants focus on the overall strength of their application and not just their GMAT score.
GMAT and Work Experience
Abhishek’s GMAT score was 730, and he had three years of work experience at JP Morgan when he decided to apply for an MBA. He believes that the minimum work experience required for an MBA in Australia is three years, and the average work experience in his class was around six and a half to seven years.
Salary and Job Opportunities
The majority of job opportunities presented after completing an MBA from Australia are mainly based in Australia and New Zealand, but Abhishek states that there have been instances of students securing jobs all across the world. The average salary post-MBA for the past few years has been around AUD 105,000 to 110,000 per year, with the range going up to AUD 100,000 to 150,000 depending on the company, role, background experience, and other negotiations during salary discussions.
Tips for Prospective MBA Students
Abhishek advises prospective MBA students to be clear about why they want to do an MBA and convey that message across to the interviewer and recruitment team. He recommends researching the school, the economy, and the country, and having a few company names in mind where one would like to pursue a career after the MBA. Additionally, he suggests answering questions asked during the interview in a concise and clear manner without fluffing around too much.
Overall, Abhishek’s experience of pursuing an MBA from Melbourne Business School in Australia has been very positive. The school’s small class size helped him build strong bonds with classmates from different countries and work experiences, and he received a generous scholarship that made it easier for him to decide to pursue his MBA from Melbourne Business School.
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