Over the past couple of months, I’ve met people who, upon learning that I’m going to INSEAD, immediately dismiss the school by saying, “Oh, INSEAD. It’s just too expensive.”
Maybe I’m being protective of my new school, but I generally detect two types of attitudes here.
The first is that of the prospective MBA candidate who has earnestly looked for various business schools which are value for money, as he’s on a tight budget. In the end he settles for a decent B-school, even if it’s not as famous as the Ivy League and top European ones. I have no issues with this.
The second type, to me, comes across as more arrogant or in denial. This person isn’t so conscious about going to a good school, as long as he has ‘MBA’ listed on his CV. He doesn’t see the point of going to a school with a much better reputation, superior teaching quality or extensive network - or at least, pretends it doesn’t matter - and thus settles for a school which nobody’s heard of.
Every time any mention of my school is cut off, without any recognition of its merits, I feel like testing doubters with this question: “Oh? Did INSEAD make you an offer and the only reason you turned it down was because it was expensive?” They probably aimed low, and got what they asked for. It’s their choice. They shouldn’t belittle other people who’ve gotten into more reputable schools.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, it is not that easy getting into INSEAD and I still thank God for getting me here (and hopefully helping me get through the next 10 months and beyond!). It is definitely expensive and the fees have shot up 5,000 euros over the past year - but it is also what you make of it in your 10 months at school.
There are so many other factors to consider about the value of an MBA, apart from its price. Being surrounded by highly intelligent, sophisticated and dynamic people from so many parts of the world is almost priceless to me. A lot depends on how we value the degree; to me, MBAs are increasingly becoming a dime a dozen, and having a good reputation is quite important.
I’d like to believe that people who have committed themselves to the best schools in the world are in it for the long run.
1 Comments
Hi, nice article….very much what i was thinkng! I went to Insead, for a class a few months ago,and was totally impressed. But,as much as i want to study there,i cannot find any way to fund $150k in school fees.
Still keep telling myself it may not be totally impossible though…..trying to think what i can do.
Go for it, its worth it,i am sure!
Kevin