Hello Everyone,

I'm seeking advice on selecting a business school for my long-term career. I am originally from India but have lived in Europe for the past 15 years, primarily in Germany, Switzerland, Norway, and the Netherlands. I have received offers from Oxford and Cambridge for a full-time MBA, but I'm facing a unique situation as I have also been offered a management role. While I have previously handled projects and managed people, it has always been in a technical capacity and never in a purely managerial role. I have decided to transition into a management role now and pursue an EMBA. However, I'm finding it challenging to choose the right school and I am self funding for the EMBA.

I have narrowed down my options to Cambridge Judge and RSM. I'm considering RSM because I have studied and worked in the Netherlands for many years, and I speak basic Dutch. Additionally, in a year's time, I will become a citizen of the Netherlands, and I am moving into a permanent Dutch employment contract. There is clear potential for upward mobility within the new organization, and RSM is well-regarded locally, with employers recognizing its value immediately. In the next 10 years, I aim to reach an upper management position and am open to working anywhere outside the Netherlands as well.

However, Cambridge Judge is known for its prestige and global recognition. While I do not yet have senior executive-level experience, the Judge admissions team has indicated that I am eligible to apply for their EMBA program. Upon reviewing the alumni from the last two years, I noticed that many are at the VP, CEO, or founder level. I am uncertain whether this cohort would be the right fit for me given my current career stage. If I were to receive an offer from Judge for their EMBA program, would it align with my long-term vision?

Considering my aspirations for the future, I would greatly appreciate your insights into which MBA program would best help me achieve my goals. Thank you for your valuable input.

You'd undoubtedly learn more from the Cambridge experience: it's a higher-quality cohort. If they are confident in you, then I would take that option. No one will fault you for taking either Cambridge or RSM. If your domestic arrangements favor RSM, it's not a weak option.

RSM is not a weak option. Would consider it if you want to stay long term in the NL ;) and plus if you will become a dutch citizen aha

I think it's worth takling a close look at the curriculum and the alumni network. A long time ago, I was admitted to the MBA at RSM, but ended up enrolling elsewhere. My campus visit showed me a solid school that didn't wow me in any way. Judge has so much more elan. I suspect that the RSM alumni network might not be very active. Anyone who's impressed by RSM will, surely, be more impressed by Cambridge.

Thank you, Duncan and Andy, for your input. Comparing Cambridge and RSM is like comparing apples and oranges. RSM stands out as the premier business school in the Netherlands, while Cambridge offers international recognition. My aim is to establish myself in the Netherlands for the next 5-10 years, yet I'm mindful that the future is unpredictable.

While currently employed in the oil and gas sector, I aspire to transition my career towards renewables or other segments within the energy industry. Pursuing an EMBA would enable me to acquire essential management skills, facilitating a gradual shift away from my current field. 

I'm grappling with the decision between prioritizing my short-term goals by choosing RSM or considering my long-term aspirations by opting for Cambridge. The significant cost disparity between the two adds another layer to this dilemma, with Cambridge totalling €120k compared to €60k for RSM.

I'm drawn to RSM's curriculum, particularly its emphasis on sustainability, aligning with my career objectives. Although Cambridge has recently introduced a sustainability component, RSM's dedicated focus on the subject is appealing. Moreover, the difference in class schedules – one weekend per month at Cambridge versus two at RSM – is a factor to consider. I agree that the cohorts at Cambridge adds value to the networking.

In essence, my heart inclines towards Cambridge, while my mind leans towards RSM. Balancing these conflicting sentiments is proving to be quite the challenge.

[Edited by Ela Selvaraj on Apr 03, 2024]

You should focus on your goals, and then on the bottlenecks between you and your goals. I don't think either of these degrees really stands out on sustainability but, in the FT global MBA ranking, Judge is ranked far higher for having ESG and sustainability woven in to the curriculum. In the the FT EMBA ranking, Judge leads on almost every criterion. However, RSM gives you a lot more classroom time for your money, so in that sense, it's a more supportive option.

Thank you for your insights Duncan. No doubt, Cambridge leads on all front and RSM is unique in their own way. I am applying for both the universities and once I know their decision, I will write back here for further discussion.  

Just to share my own experience. I started an EMBA program at one school, a top 20 in Europe, because it was great value and good enough. When I changed jobs one-third of the way in, I had to talk with the new employer about whether to continue or swap to a better option and the outcome was that I swapped to LBS. Certainly, those schools also reflected the preferences of the different employers. But, without a doubt, the extra cost of the LBS programme was certainly worth it.

The only wrinkle in the RSM/Judge choice is that you need to get so much less time in class with Judge. But, of course, for some people that's a plus :)