What are the minimum GMAT requirements for MBA in Canada?

The minimum GMAT requirement for MBA programs in Canada varies by school and program. Generally, top business schools in Canada require a GMAT score of at least 700 or higher. However, some schools also accept the GRE as an alternative to the GMAT.

It’s important to note that the GMAT score is just one factor in the MBA application process, and schools also consider other factors such as undergraduate GPA, work experience, essays, and letters of recommendation. So, while a strong GMAT score can certainly help strengthen your application, it’s not the only thing that matters. Hence even with a score of 600 and above in GMAT, you can apply if you have a strong profile

 

What are the top business schools in Canada that are globally recognized?

• University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management
• Queen’s Smith School of Business
• Ivey Business School
• Desautels Faculty of Management
• Schulich School of Business
• UBC Sauder School of Business.

 

What are the top B schools to apply to in Canada for a marketing major?

• Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto
• Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia
• Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University
• DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University
• Schulich Business School, York University
• John Molson School of Business, Concordia University
• Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta
• University of Calgary.

 

What are the actual differences in MBA programs in Canada and India and what makes it better other than the exposure that you get abroad?

Career goals and geographical preference

For those who’re not very keen to work abroad and have long-term plans in India, the top MBA programs in India could be good options. Most of these programs including the IIM’s two-year programs take in fresh graduates. On completion, most of these graduates are able to secure jobs through campus placements.

For the more experienced professionals, there are one-year MBA programs for executives – ISB-PGP, IIMA-PGPX, IIMB-EPGP, and IIMC-PGPeX. These popular programs also figure in the prestigious FT global MBA rankings.

However, an MBA abroad is suited for those who wish to travel globally and work in a foreign location or across countries. If you’ve always been in awe of an investment banker’s job on Wall Street, an MBA from a top business school abroad may open the door to such dream jobs and help you land an opportunity abroad.

 

Differences in entry requirements for MBA in India vs abroad

The traditional 2-year Indian MBA programs usually take in fresh graduates without any work experience. The main requirement is a good score on the entrance tests.  The CAT score is widely used, however, there are other test scores like the CMAT, XAT, MAT, etc. This is followed by rounds of group discussion and personal interviews.

In the case of international programs, especially the top ones, the entry criteria are more complex and competitive (since there are applicants from other countries vying for the same seat). The GMAT or the GRE score forms just one component, however, there’s also a lot of focus on the overall candidate profile including academics, work experience, career goals and extracurricular involvement.

The applicant needs to produce high-quality essays and recommendations along with coming up with a high GMAT score. Shortlisted candidates are usually required to go through an interview round.

 

Work experience criteria for Indian MBA vs abroad

Unlike Indian MBA applications, good work experience can have a huge impact on MBA applications abroad. Applicants can leverage their previous work experience to produce stellar MBA essays or get high-quality recommendations from colleagues or bosses that have a big role in the decision-making process during MBA admissions.

Those applying to the US MBA programs have on average around 3-5 years of pre-MBA work experience while candidates who apply to the UK and Europe-based programs have an average work experience of 5-6 years.

 

Class Contribution to the MBA Experience

Learning from an MBA program is through various methods including lectures, case studies as well as group assignments. Students are required to participate and make their contribution, whether it involves finding a solution to a problem or tackling a case study. Having a more experienced peer group, which is true with international programs, translates into better learning and gaining valuable insights through peers who’ve had industry exposure working in a variety of roles.

A lot of learning is derived from the varied perspectives shared by batch mates, so you come across more efficient ways to deal with a complex problem or a difficult business situation.

During international MBA admissions, there is a lot of focus on attaining class diversity which means that there’ll be a chance to interact with experienced peers from diverse industries working in a variety of roles and from varied ethnic backgrounds. Read more on how the top MBA programs manage classroom diversity.

Compare this with a class full of freshers which you’d find in most of the Indian MBA programs. In spite of the enthusiasm of a relatively young peer group, there would be very few who’ve had hands-on experience, so a lot of theoretical learning (as against practical learning) would be involved.

Comparing the MBA fees, salary & ROI of Indian MBA colleges vs international universities

Lastly, we come to the most important deciding aspect – the program fees. Often, this can be the deciding or restricting factor.

The cost of the two-year Indian MBA programs would vary ranging from a few lakhs and may go up to 21 lakhs for the most-sought IIM Ahmedabad. The ROI (Return on investment) can be fantastic for the top-ranked IIM programs with average salaries in the range of 20-22 lakhs.

For the one-year MBA programs for executives (ISB and IIMs), the basic tuition fees would be in the range of 20-25 lakhs. However, to this figure, we need to add the taxes, accommodation charges, cost of meals, books and course material and other related costs which would take the total cost close to 30 lakhs or even higher depending upon the program you choose. The average salary would be in the range of 21- 28 lakhs.

International programs, especially the good ones, come very expensive. The cost of living, travelling and related expenses together make it an exorbitant option.

The tuition fees for the two-year US-based programs can vary from around $90,000 to $1, 40,000 depending upon the university you’re applying to. The one-year programs would cost slightly less in the range of $55,000 to $80,000. To this, you need to add the cost of living, medical insurance, books and transportation.

The cost of living would be lesser for the one-year programs. These costs would also vary depending on the city you live in. The average post-MBA salary would range from $85,000-$1, 20,000 for most of the global top 100 programs.

Some of the reputed programs can help you land a well-paying job which would put you in an excellent position in terms of ROI. However, don’t assume that top-ranking programs will guarantee a better RoI than those ranked lower.

 

Are there 1 year MBAs or 2 years programs? Could you share the options?

• Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto- Two-year program
• Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia- 16-month
• Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University- Our one-year and two-year program options take the student needs into account. Choose between our 48-credit and 54-credit programs, keeping in mind that every student begins at the same time and takes the same number of classes. The difference in credits comes down to the time you spend in the internship, not the classroom. The 48-credit program can be completed in 12 months.
• DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University- 20 months; including an optional four-month paid summer internship
• Schulich Business School, York University- 16 to 20 month
• John Molson School of Business, Concordia University – 20 to 24 months.
• Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta- 20 months
• Queen’s University- 12 months
• Western University- One year

 

What is the average fee structure?

• Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. – CD $120,000
• Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia – $94,559
• Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University- $99,500
• DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University – $10,100
• Schulich Business School, York University – $28,057 (per semester)It is a four terms program. A term is equivalent to one semester, or 12 weeks.
• John Molson School of Business, Concordia University – $47,900
• Alberta School of Business, University of Alberta- $65,000

 

What about scholarships? Are they based on scores only? Or some other parameters too?

Some Canadian universities that offer Scholarship for the MBA program are as follows:

• Haskayne School of Business
• Ivey MBA
• Alberta MBA
• Sauder School of Business
• Rotman School of Management
• Schulich School of Business

 

Selection Criteria for Scholarship

The selection criteria include excellent professional experience, leadership abilities, academic performance, and high GMAT ratings.

 

What are the chances of getting a scholarship at a top B school with a GMAT score of 760?

Students generally have a perception that getting a 750 GMAT score or higher is enough for winning a scholarship. However, getting a scholarship based on a GMAT score may not be possible as schools look at the bigger picture and give consideration to the complete profile of the candidate.

 

What are the deadlines for this year to start school next fall?

The University of British Columbia – Sauder School of Business

Round 1: October 11, 2022;

Round 2: January 10, 2023

Round 3: March 14, 2023

Application deadline for Fall 2024 intake is not available

 

McGill University – Desautels Faculty of Management

November 1, 2022: (First application deadline)

January 15, 2023: (Second application deadline)

March 15, 2023: (Final deadline)

Application Deadline for fall 2024 intake is not available

 

Queen’s University – Smith School of Business

The international application deadline is September 1, 2023. International applicants must submit their applications with sufficient time for study visa processing. We strongly encourage all international students to apply as early as possible.

Our next class starts in January 2024. Applications are currently being accepted.

 

University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management

Early Round: September 2, 2022 (Decision no later than October 14, 2022)

Round 1: October 3, 2022 (Decision no later than December 16, 2022)

Round 2: January 13, 2023 (Decision no later than March 17, 2023)

Round 3: March 6, 2023* (Decision no later than May 5, 2023)

Round 4: April 28, 2023** (Decision no later than May 31, 2023)

Application Deadline for Fall 2024 intake is not available.

 

Ivey Business School

Round 2: April 17, 2023

Round 3: July 10, 2023

Round 4: September 18, 2023

Round 5: November 6, 2023

Round 6: January 12, 2024

 

Does Canada have a winter intake?

Yes, a few universities offer Winter intake as well, such as:-

Schulich Business School, York University – September (Fall term) and January (Winter term)

John Molson School of Business, Concordia University – January and September

 

Are there any business schools in the top 20 global rankings? Please list them.

The University of Toronto, Rotman School of Management

 

What are the job prospects post MBA?

Some of the popular jobs after an MBA in Canada are Financial Manager, Business Analyst, Project Manager, Operations Manager, Business Development Manager, Investment Analyst, etc  Starting salary package is: 90,500 CAD

 

What are the job prospects in India, if one doesn’t get a job in Canada, and comes back?

Such is the popularity and relevance of having an MBA in India that the degree has become a basic requirement for all top employers, who use it as a benchmark for professional acumen and managerial capability.

Boasting one of the largest consumer markets in the world, a strong services sector, and a booming technology industry, India is poised to offer a wealth of opportunities for aspiring professionals in the near and long-term future.

Consulting and financial services firms continue to be the largest recruiters for MBAs, though India has also seen a rise in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies such as ABInBev, Hindustan Unilever, P&G and Coca-Cola.

Industrial conglomerates such as Reliance, Tata, and Aditya Birla Group, are also hiring MBAs from top MBA colleges in the world for their general management roles and leadership development programs.

Another industry that has become an attractive recruiter for MBA graduates in India is the technology sector. Big Tech players like Amazon, Google and Facebook offer a wealth of exciting opportunities, while a multitude of young companies and startups, ranging from Flipkart to Udaan, have emerged as sought-after destinations for MBA students.

Those are the career prospects you can expect if you decide to stay in India post-MBA. However, the career opportunities available aren’t just limited to roles in India. MBA students from the country are also in high demand in the Middle East, South East Asia, and even Europe.

 

Can one apply for jobs in the US post studying in Canada? Is there a possibility of getting a US visa through that route?

Students are not allowed to apply for a US work visa on their own. It has to be sponsored by the employer. So you must have a job offer from a US employer to migrate to the United States from Canada.

However, post an MBA, you get a post-study work permit. During this period you can apply for PR in Canada. Once you get PR,  it becomes easy to go to the USA.

 

Do I have to choose my major in MBA before I apply to Canada?

Generally, we don’t need to choose a specialization in the application. If some University asks you to choose the major in the application, then there is an opportunity to change majors while studying in Canada.

 

What are the percentage of Indians and foreign students at top B schools in Canada?

The percentage of Indian and foreign students at top business schools in Canada varies depending on the specific school and program. However, here are some general statistics:

Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto: According to the school’s website, international students make up approximately 65% of the MBA class Ivey Business School at Western University: According to the school’s website, approximately 24% of the MBA class is made up of Indian students, and 35% are international.

 

Which Indian schools also accept GMAT?

Practically there are 150 colleges in India, that accept GMAT, some of the options are as follows:

• P Jain Institute of Management and Research
• XLRI – Xavier School of Management
• Amity School of Business, Institute of Management Technology
• Christ University Institute of Management
• SDM Institute of Management Development
• Xavier University (XIMB)
• Management Development Institute (MDI)
• Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
• IIM (Ahmedabad Calcutta, Lucknow, Indore, Rohtak)
• The Great Lakes Institute of Management
• Jindal Global Business School
• SDM Institute for Management Development
• SRM University, Faculty of Management
• NIIT University
• Flame University, School of Business
• Bennett University, School of Management
• BITS Pilani
• BML Munjal University, School of Management
• ISB (Hyderabad & Mohali)

 

Do Indian companies prefer Indian MBA’s?

Ranking of the B- school would be given importance while hiring in India.

Many top-tier schools like London Business School and Harvard University have a very high brand value in India and would be given preference over an Indian MBA.

Obtaining degrees from overseas can be inspiring because it allows students to learn languages and explore other cultures.

• Developed individuality
• Business skills
• Cultural benefits
• Communication
• Many specialization options
• Career Advancement
• Networking opportunities