Which school? --- Part 1

In the name of researching schools, I have been spoiling my head for last 6-8 months and still not reached any solid conclusion.

I started with ISB, Hyderabad. Then thought I'll give IIM PGPX a shot too. But then these two programs are too rigorous and I won't get any time to spend with my family. My daughter will be a year when I join and she would need my time then. If I am not able to talk to her even once in a day in that stage of hers, what's the use? One thing decided then. No MBA in India.

But foreign MBA costs money, and a lot of it. I'll be returning to India anyway when my daughter turns four, so that her education is all in India. Then does it make sense to take a loan of $120,000?

No, not for me. People do that, but somehow, it's not for me. I would rather spend money in making my life better than giving away all my savings for 10-12 years to school.

I do value good education. In fact my belief has always been that when it comes to education, there should be no compromise. But the situation is different now. I am responsible to my family too. If I were a bachelor, I could have taken any loan to study in the best university. But now I have more constraints.

Then I came to know about GISMA, a one-year MBA course in Germany. The degree is given by Purdue University, education is in Europe. I could get full scholarship so the total cost be less than $15K. It sounded like the best of both worlds! But somehow this MBA program is not lifting off even though it has been existing since 7-8 years. Hardly anyone knows about it. What's the use of an MBA degree if no one even knows such a school exists? The costs are less, but the benefits are even lesser. So forget about that.

While going through the websites, I came to know of some other schools in Germany, like WHU, Mannheim and also of St. Gallen in Switzerland. But somehow the Germany business schools are not recognized much outside Germany, and even in Germany. St. Gallen is an excellent program but then there are no scholarships and the costs would be too much. Not too much in absolute amount, but for a person living in India, paying loans in Euros or Dollars (or CHF) is always tough. And also, it is always difficult to get a job of my choice in Europe given that I am not from Europe.

By the way, I was not even thinking about the top programs like INSEAD, IMD or LBS because of the huge loans.

Then I talked to my friend who is an alum of HEC Paris. He told me to go for best ones as my profile is good and I can get an admit. And he also told not to worry about loans as everyone pays it off, and that it is an experience of a lifetime and I would always be better off going to a top school. Good points. But again, if one thinks about career only. For me, career comes second, and my family first. I can do with a little compromise on the school pedigree. I have been in the top performers in my company and from what I have seen, I am sure I can succeed even with a decent school, as long as the education is good.