Many higher education aspirants start off with the assumption an MBA degree is the only worthwhile option to pursue, if they have a few years of work experience. A few realise that there are other excellent masters degrees that are better suited, considering their career interests.
Rahul Patil (name changed, till he puts in his resignation!) had a similar start, and fortunately didn’t jump into MBA applications like most do. Here’s what he did that helped him get admits from two of the most reputed names in supply chain management education – The Supply Chain Managment Residential (SCMr) Program at MIT and Ross Master in Supply Chain Management (MSCM).
Indian admit reviews MIT SCMr vs Ross MSCM
Choosing between the top supply chain masters degrees in USA
by Rahul Patil
I have always been a studious kid in school and college. But never a gold medalist or a state topper. I always felt, as a result, that my aspirations of studying in a Top B-school would never become a reality. But this story has a happy ending.
I am an introvert by nature and missed out a lot of opportunities in school as a result of this. When I went to Manipal, I went through a journey of self-realization and got an opportunity to grow out of this shell and become a confident person. The shy and timid kid in school went on to lead a team of 20 in college while participating in an SAE AeroDesign Competition.
This new-found confidence also helped me land an internship and an eventual job with one of the leading networking organizations in the world in its Supply Chain Division. I felt like I was back on track to realize my dream of studying in a Top B-school.
I realized after some time, that I didn’t want to follow suit and run towards getting an MBA immediately. I had given my GMAT and instead focused on building a good profile to study abroad.
GMAT Prep
My main goal was to cross the 700-score barrier. I knew that a concentrated effort from my end would help achieve that goal. When my friends were studying for GRE, I went the other way and ended up studying for GMAT during my holidays.
Coming from an engineering background, Math was never a pain-point for me. I just had to focus on English and learn the tips and tricks needed to tackle the English section.
All my efforts finally paid off and I was able to cross the 700 mark with ease. That was one checkpoint I had completed successfully.
1.5 years into my employment, I reached out to MBA admission counsellors Manish and Sameer to review my profile and evaluate my options.
I had done my analysis and really liked the transparency and frankness with which Manish and Sameer worked. They were very sweet and kind to me.
They asked me if I was sure before I was going to pay!!! No one does that in this day and age.
The Profile Builder experience, along with Sameer’s book truly opened my eyes!!! All this while, I never really thought why I need an MBA or the type of jobs I was planning to do after my MBA.
Sameer’s book “Beyond the MBA Hype” made me think about those things.
My discussion with Manish and his critical analysis of my profile helped me realize more about myself and spurred me to work even harder to build a more complete profile. I now had a sense of where I stand and where I needed to reach.
All this while, I was growing well within my organization.I was already working in a role that most people get after completing their MBAs. I was part of global projects, leading cross-functional teams and really enjoying the work I was doing and learning something fascinating every day. My interest in the field made me complete an online course in Supply Chain Fundamentals along with a capstone project in Rutgers University as well as a Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
Masters in SCM vs MBA
Supply Chain is the back-bone for every organization, and there is a serious gap that needs to be filled immediately. A recent statistic had stated that by 2025 there will be over 9 million vacant supply chain jobs. I wanted to expand my knowledge in this field and gain global exposure. I believe that an MS in Supply Chain would help me achieve my goal which a standard MBA might not be able to provide.
Advantages of an MS in Supply Chain over an MBA:
- STEM certified
- 1 year duration – allows one to get back into the work force quickly.
- Higher ROI.
- Similar roles as MBA grads in consulting and Ops Space
- Smaller Batch size (40 vs 400) à more attention.
These attributes made a Masters in Supply Chain a very attractive option. I realized that my work ex along with my extra-curricular activities in college and office made me a good overall candidate. As a result, I chose only 2 colleges in the U.S:
- MIT’s SCM Program
- Ross’s MSCM Program
Both are great colleges that have been running the course for quite some time and have great diversity in its batch. This gave me an opportunity to interact with alumni of both colleges and get a feel of the culture of the college, the course and the impact it has had in their respective careers.
The one answer that resonated in all my interactions was the overall experience of learning. The ability to apply their learnings in real-world projects made them industry-ready and aware of the real problems companies face across the world.
I had made up mind finally in the month of August that I was ready to apply to these 2 programs. I had kept in touch with Manish during that course of time as I believed in his approach towards me and his guidance helped me plan out a lot of my activities that I managed to accomplish. I had also developed a level of comfort and understanding with Manish which, I believe, is crucial for anyone looking for guidance. I didn’t bother interacting with any other admissions consulting company.
After 3 months of thrashing essays and SOPs, I submitted my application in R1 for both the colleges. Now, it was time to wait for the results. I reached the interview round of Ross and started preparing for that. I was anxiously waiting for the results of MIT which was based on my application and video statement.
Day before the interview: I had a meeting with Manish. We had a mock video interview and an analysis session after that. That helped me immensely to figure out the final tweaks I needed to make before my interview.
Interview Experience
My interview experience was very pleasant. The whole session went very smooth. I was well prepared to tackle any question and was able to engage in a fruitful conversation with the interviewer.
The 45-min interview went on for an hour. I was extremely happy with myself and thanked Manish for his help. Now it was time to simply wait.
After what seemed like an eternity, I got a response from the two colleges.
I got into both Ross and MIT!!!!!!
Ross gave me an admit for the 2018-2019 batch as well as a $5k scholarship. MIT gave me a deferred admit for 2019-2020.
I was on top of the world.
Review of MIT vs Ross SCM
I am planning to join MIT. The coursework and the option to take additional electives at Sloan appealed to me and the 1 year deferred admit also gave me time to set my finances, add a couple more certifications and be ready to excel when I join class.
Here’s my review of the MIT and Ross SCM Programs.
| Criteria | MIT SCM | Ross MSCM |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 10 months | 10 months |
| Class Profile | 40 students from 18-19 countries. Greater diversity. | Almost half the class consists of Indians and Asians. |
| Fees (only tuition) | $71,000 | $56,500 |
| Offers | All major companies and sectors. List available on site. Greater variety of offers seen. | All major companies and sectors. List available on site. Predominantly consulting and tech. |
While the reports and sites might not be able to show any major difference, there are certain subtle differences that made me choose the MIT SCM Program over the Ross MSCM Program.
- MIT has been running this program for over 20+ years while Ross MSCM program is comparatively new.Ross’s MSCM program was renowned for its association with Tauber Institute. Recently, they changed the timeline of their course from Jan to July. As a result, MSCM students don’t have the opportunity to collaborate with Tauber anymore.
- Greater diversity of incoming students as well as the type of job offers they end up getting.
- Brand Name of MIT is way higher than Ross.
- MIT is among the leading researchers in the field of Supply Chain Management. The opportunity to get insights on latest advancements in the field of SCM is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
- MIT’s course is quant heavy along with emphasis on leadership because the course comes under MIT’s school of engineering. Ross MSCM, on the other hand, is management heavy as the course comes under the Ross Business School.
SCM grads are needed in every industry. The SCM grads are offered jobs in sectors ranging from tech and consulting to retail and manufacturing.
I believe that my overall profile, made me a good fit for these programs. I learned so much about myself while working on my SOPs and Essays. It gave me time to introspect every decision I had made in life to reach the point in life I am in today. We go through our lives at such a fast pace that we don’t cherish the moments where we were genuinely happy/proud.
If Supply Chain and Ops is a field that interests you, there isn’t a better course available than an MSCM degree. Build your profile, work hard and you will be able to fulfill your dreams.
Also read:
– Masters (MS / MBA) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management
– Top masters in SCM admit in USA with low GMAT
– Play our Supply Chain Management Game online
– MSCM at Michigan Ross with scholarship for an older candidate with an over-represented profile
Hi Manish,
I am planning to do MS in international marketing from Germany. Is it a good idea?
The answer really depends on your career aspirations Neha. In general thought, it is pretty tough for international grads to break into B2C marketing roles. More on Germany here: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2017/02/03/masters-ms-germany/
Hi, I have M. E in production engineering with 2.5 years of experience as part time lecturer
I am not getting my job satisfaction that’s why I want to go for MBA… But main concern I am approaching 31 years of age and if started from today I might get good score in 2018. But my worry is wheather I am able to got a call from top B Schools in India considering my age if get a good score in CAT or any other entrance. Plz suggest.
Anand,
At your age/experience level, a GMAT based program might be better. But before you go down that route, don’t pick MBA just as a way to get out of your current job. Think a lot more about what after. An MBA is a big investment and you don’t want to end up feeling unsatisfied once again. Sameer’s book is a good way to start thinking along these lines (https://www.mbacrystalball.com/beyond-the-mba-hype)
Dear Sir,
I completed my 12th in 2007, after that I complete ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level from DOEACC. After that I start searching Job, but I as I was not graduate at that time, I don’t get any job. Wherever I go for Interview they ask me to complete the graduation first then apply for job. Then I decided to complete my graduation. I take admission in BCA from IGNOU. I need fund, and to raise fund, I start doing Job in BPO as I have no other option to raise fund. Now I have completed BCA, and take admission in MCA through BCA-MCA Integrated program. I want to join IT company.
Now I just want to know apart from becoming an software developer what are the scope for me, after completing BCA and MCA.
Thank You,
Saurabh Kanauji
This is a pretty wide question Saurabh; we’ve written about careers in Technology here: http://www.careerizma.com/blog/category/technology. Check it out and see if that helps some.
Hello MG,
I have got an admit into the 1 year IIMB EPGP program. I am in the process for applying for the ISB PGP as well. In your opinion – between the two – what would be the better choice for me? My profile: Age 34. Work experience – 12 years (Project management – Operations in an MNC). Current CTC – 18 lakhs p.a. GMAT – 720. Current qualification – B.Com. Career plan post MBA – to move to senior management roles in program management in BFSI domain.
Your views would be very helpful. Thank you.
Congrats on the admit Trin.
In general, the IIMs will be a better fit given your age/experience level.
HI i have a gratuation percentage of 69, +2 with 87, 10th with 85 , and i have 4 years of work exp, what score in GMAT is good enough to crack ISB
There isn’t a magic GMAT number Devendra, read here: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2015/03/16/minimum-gmat-score/. Higher the better is the mantra here really.
Hello Manish,
Currently my work experience is 34 months in a MNC , My background is b tech in CS. will having 42-48 months year experience is enough for MBA from European colleges. As i heard for European colleges the avg work experience is more and what are the things to be considered for getting scholarship.
The average experience range is about 5 years or so at the time of class start at most schools barring a few Kausik. So you are at about the right time in that sense. Scholarships usually consider the entire application strength, not just years of experience.
hi Manish!
i am a bachelor of commerce 2017 pass out. i wish to pursue a career in finance and auditing and also aspire to land a job abroad. i intend to enroll for September 2018 admissions for a master’s program in the same field. i am taking a year off due to financial reasons which changed my decision to pursue my master’s this year. if i had knowledge of these constraints before, i would have opted for work experience as soon as college ended and as i have wasted quite a few months now i am unable to find good placements. i need your advice on whether this gap would affect my future prospects. and if so what would be my best options. i am aware of few certification programs like ACCA, CPA etc. that would be an add on for a career in accounting or finance but as these programs generally take more than 2 years to complete and as i had stated my intentions to go for master’s next year i would like to know if this is the right solution for my situation.
The gap would be some cause of concern Meera, read here: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2011/12/07/mba-application-faq-for-voluntary-career-break/. For something like CPA/CFA, you can continue doing that together with your master’s, so no reason why you can’t start that now. But even if you do, these are not considered full-time programs so irrespective, you should think of starting your corporate journey in parallel.
Hi Manish
Congratulations to getting in at MIT! I’ts an overwhelming feeling no matter how many times I think about it.
I’m keen on understanding how important it is to have a work experience in a big organization? I’ve worked closely with Ambuja Cement, JK Lakshmi Cement etc but as an associate and not as an employee. Also, I have a clarity that i wish to get into the waste management industry (which has extreme levels of logistics issues) preferably a start-up. In your opinion, is MIT SCM the right course to pursue? Exposure, Learning, latest industry practices and Networking are the reasons i’m biased to apply.
I’m a CA, CFP, FRM – 1 and BMS graduate from NM college in Mumbai. I’ve been to Harvard for summer school (International Business and Strategic Management) and was sponsored to study for a Management Development Course at IIM A in Transportation and Logistics.
I have 2 years work experience in Finance and 3 years in Logistics in Cement Industry (We have a family business in logistics which was awarded as the 2nd best in western zone in cement sector). I’ve had a few start-ups which haven’t been successful and I’m keen on getting into the waste management industry.
Looking forward to your suggestions!
Thanks for the note Sarthak. Just a clarification, I am part of the MCB team. The story is that of Rahul (name changed), a candidate we helped.
In general, waste management is a very niche industry and big brand programs don’t directly cater to specific technical skills required in niche areas. The brand helps overall. But if your plan is to get recruited with a waste management specialty firm, that too is super niche and highly improbable. Are you planning to get back to your family business? In which case, this might be good to read: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2013/08/29/family-business-management-courses/
Hi Manish
I am working from 3.5 years in networking industry in a leading organization , however would like to break into supply chain with the above programs. I see that at MIT website they have mentioned relevant work experience is required. I din’t see any equivalent information at Ross. So while logistics may not be my field yet, do you think I should be pursuing this career shift or instead focus on MBA solely.
Hi Manish
Many congratulations on the admit. I needed an opinion from your side. I have been working in a networking major from past 3 years ( in networking domain itself). However my aim is to shift to supply chain. MIT mentions two year relevant work experience on their site, while Ross doesn’t specifically point any of this criteria. Do you think my experience could be a deterring factor in my application? Should I hence even apply? I have had good GPA in my college , and will be writing GRE this month.
Regards
Jah
Thanks for writing in Jah. Just to correct, it wasn’t I who has got the admits – it was a candidate we helped on his applications.
Tough to pass a verdict without knowing more details. Do share your resume/queries directly with me on mcb@65.0.9.100
Hi Manish,
I am planning to the Supply Chain SCMr program from MIT. I have a MBA Degree from a Tier- 1 institute in India. I plan to take their SC 0,1,2 courses instead of the GMAT route. I have 4 years of work in IT Infrastructure space (Pre- MBA). Currently i am working with a leading Procurement Consulting firm (Post-MBA). Can you provide some guidance/ comments? Can your team be of any help to me in my preparation. i plan to enroll for 2020-21 session.
Sure Aditya. Do reach out to me directly on mcb@65.0.9.100 with a recent resume and we can take it from there.