IMD

Our visit to the International Institute of Management and Development (IMD) did not go entirely as planned. We left the hotel very early, only to arrive several hours later due to traffic and poor planning. When we arrived, I was already mildly upset because of the group’s lack of punctuality. However, I’m fairly certain most of our group felt the same way, so I’m glad that I was not alone in that regard.

Upon our arrival and during the presentation, I became aware of the grand scale of IMD. Although we had studied the school before, the degree of difficulty and the magnitude of the cost of the IMD program became much more apparent during the school’s presentation. The manner in which the IMD admissions officer presented the requirements of the school and the aims of the school was very informative as well. However, after reviewing the presentation, I felt as though this visit was mostly pointless for me.

I am really not extremely interested in getting an MBA degree, and if I do get into the field that I want to get into, which is multimedia, broadcasting, and public relations, my likelihood of needing an MBA in order to obtain my job of choice is practically none. In my field, work experience is everything; all that is necessary is graduation, and after that, no one cares where you went to school.

The most appealing aspect of IMD was its internationality. However, I also found it striking that while IMD is such an international institution, they insist that all of their applicants speak English. In a sense, this requirement is very practical. Under the surface, this practice could be considered quite insulting, especially to members of a culture that values and protects its language, such as French. I found this drawback, small as it is, as mostly insignificant.

The most important thoughts that passed through my mind during this visit were reflections upon my personal goals and values. Would I be willing to pay $116,000 in order to get a degree that can earn me a six figure salary? Would I be willing to put myself through the rigor in order to get the prestige and network at the cost of potentially doing something that I would not really enjoy? The answer is no. I would not. Although, going to school in Lausanne, Switzerland would be incredible – no argument there.