The B-School Conundrum (LBS vs. ISB)

March'2011

After much deliberation and thought I had given the GMAT sometime last year, did allright to really well - depending on who heard the scores. So, as is usual applied to a few B-Schools - three to be exact - HBS, LBS and ISB - for the normal folk that's Harvard, London and Indian School of Business. Harvard said, "Yeah Maybe - wait and see", London said, "Yeah Mate why not!" and ISB said, "Please pay INR2,00,000 within 15 days or your seat will go to the next idiot sitting on the fence". That's the thing really about an MBA - everyone writes an eloquent essay about, "Why MBA?" in their applications filling 600 words when all they need to write in an honest answer is "More money, better job, possibility of a better sex life". Anyway I am not one of those who do what they believe in - don't really think very many of those exist - so I too wrote with the eloquence of a seasoned writer, did a spell check and sent it in - only to read on other blogs, " I am version on 12 with my friend who is an English major at Oxford" - to be honest that's when I decided, "back to ships it is then".
But, luck / destiny / an admissions committee member with a sense of humor had other intentions and here I am faced with a dilemma - ISB / LBS. I have frayed the nerves of all those close to me for the past two weeks to figure this one out - everyone says LBS till I convince them that ISB is the way to go, only to say, "but LBS is LBS is it not?" - exasperated I get an answer they think is smart but makes me chuckle, "It's your decision after all" - i fuckin knew that before I called you !! Anyway they are all nice people and want to help. So here's the Pro Con List of ISB vs. LBS:

PROS of ISB:
1) Cheaper - not cheap.
2) India. (Advantage, place to be etc. etc.)
3) Want to stay in India long term - BUT - nothing stops me from taking a job abroad from ISB or in India from LBS - so this is not a certain Pro.
HONEST that's it.
CONS:
1) Lots of grad school peers who are yet to cross 25 and would decimate me in class with their grasp over calculus or whatever the hell else they teach there.
2)Academics seem to be the only area of interest for the school and recruiters alike - I mean aforementioned folks are already talking about trying to make the "Dean's List" - I mean what the fuck is that in the first place and should i really know of it now?
3) Will India Inc. value 10 years of grey (I have one) hair working at Sea - or are they gonna be like, "Engineer nahi rai..." ahh look at this guy, "he's an ENGINEER for our APPU support division's outsourced support wing"

PROS of LBS:
1) Better known
2) Better education
3) ISB claims to be good - BECAUSE (one of the reasons) - it is associated with this.
4) Love London

CONS:
1) Expense
2) Related to (1) - will have to stay back abroad to pay off (1).

So, OKAY - I like LBS better - BUT - don't have the money to spend on it ... oh yeah plan to get married next year as well - imagine that - can't delay that now - her whole family will kill me... BUT that is not a factor - will work around that - SO....I Guess...No wait

More cons of LBS:
1) UK - not easy to settle in right away but will get better with each passing day.
More Pros of ISB:
1) One of my best buddies is joining there....
Still, So.... I guess... if can raise the money ...go to LBS...