{"id":653,"date":"2015-04-09T13:17:24","date_gmt":"2015-04-09T12:17:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/?p=653"},"modified":"2015-04-24T10:50:01","modified_gmt":"2015-04-24T09:50:01","slug":"why-i-chose-the-iese-mba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/why-i-chose-the-iese-mba\/","title":{"rendered":"Why I chose the IESE MBA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>\u201cDreams do come true!!!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>This clich\u00e9 captures the feeling of being accepted into your dream MBA program. This was exactly what I felt when I received my acceptance letter from IESE.<\/p>\n<p>I was extremely overjoyed, humbled, and seriously speechless. I had to read the letter at least ten times just to make sure that I had read it correctly. I was thrilled to find out that I had just earned the chance to learn at a prestigious institution, work on a different continent, and live in such a vibrant place\u2014Barcelona.<\/p>\n<p>Choosing an MBA program is a long and tough decision-making process. But, I encountered exciting discoveries along the way.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why did I apply to IESE? <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The points that I wish to share go beyond the non-negotiable criteria such as rankings and global prestige. These high standards were already a given with IESE.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IESE\u2019s mission resonates with my personal mission<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Choosing a business school is not just about applying to several schools and hoping to get into a good one, as many people do when applying for an undergraduate degree. <a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=Deciding+on+where+to+take+your+MBA+is+like+choosing+a+lifetime+partner+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">Deciding on where to take your MBA is like choosing a lifetime partner <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>. With this in mind, I looked for a school that resonated with my personal values and life goals.<\/p>\n<p>I was highly attracted to IESE\u2019s mission, which reflected my own: (1) Leadership: emphasizing today\u2019s need of forming influential leaders with character (2) Social impact and spirit of service: instilling in students the principle of making an impact on society, and (3) Global experience: creating a truly global experience for each student through a highly diverse culture.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IESE invests in looking for talent in emerging markets<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>IESE made its presence significant in my country through various well-orchestrated events. It impressed me to see that the school strongly invests in finding talent not just in developed countries, but also in emerging markets like the Philippines. This became a valuable consideration since it demonstrates that\u00a0<a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=IESE+strives+to+diversify+the+profile+of+the+class+and+recognizes+the+potential+of+all+their+applicants+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">IESE strives to diversify the profile of the class and recognizes the potential of all their applicants <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a> to contribute to the class and be honed as great future leaders.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IESE\u2019s geographic location and the program length of the MBA mattered<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As an esteemed school in Europe, IESE attracted me by virtue of its location since I would be motivated to learn a new language, which in a sense is part of learning about other cultures.<\/p>\n<a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=I+also+preferred+IESE+because+it+was+a+two-year+program+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">I also preferred IESE because it was a two-year program <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>. The first year is when you learn about yourself, you curate your dreams and you explore. The second year is when you make things happen. Being an expert in anything takes time. A year felt too short, while two years seemed just right.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/20130308-EE_PDD_BCN_0999.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-661\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/20130308-EE_PDD_BCN_0999-1024x526.jpg\" alt=\"Why IESE?\" width=\"640\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/20130308-EE_PDD_BCN_0999-1024x526.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/20130308-EE_PDD_BCN_0999-300x154.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>How did I get to know the school more? What did I learn about the IESE community? <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>I signed up for all of the events that I possibly could. It was very easy to reach out to IESE. They provide applicants with numerous avenues to get to know the school better.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Interview Session<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is a one-on-one session where interested applicants ask a member of the Admissions Committee (AdComm) more information about IESE to determine whether it is the right school for them. The IESE Interview Session was helpful because it allowed me to get to know the school better and to sharpen my post-MBA goals, which is an important plan to establish even before you apply.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Information Session<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In this event, IESE introduces the school to applicants mainly through a Q&amp;A session with alumni. This was a very effective way to convince us to apply. Through this, <a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=I+discovered+that+IESE+has+a+tightly+knit%2C+brilliant+and+humble+community+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">I discovered that IESE has a tightly knit, brilliant and humble community <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s simple. Their alumni loved IESE\u2014I couldn\u2019t help but become inspired and want to form part of an institution that they genuinely speak so highly about. It&#8217;s evident that after earning an MBA at IESE, you will gain not only a vast global network, but also lifetime friends.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>IESE One-Day Visit<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When my interest in IESE grew, I asked the AdComm if I could make a visit outside their set schedules of Open Days. It was beyond what I expected. AdComm organized a full day for me to get to know the school better through current students, professors, a case-study method class\u2014which I luckily got to sit in on\u2014and a tour of IESE\u2019s beautiful campus. (<a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=Beautiful+is+an+understatement+when+describing+IESE+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">Beautiful is an understatement when describing IESE <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>. They say that if you bring an undecided applicant to the campus, he or she would not find it hard to decide).<\/p>\n<p>This experience made it tough for me to find a second choice of business school and capped off my decision to apply only to IESE. It also proved that IESE truly does place great importance on each applicant. IESE provides you with all the help you need to get to know the school, but you need to do your part in reaching out to them to really appreciate it.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/Karen-Crisostomo-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-660\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/Karen-Crisostomo-1-1024x617.jpg\" alt=\"Why IESE? \" width=\"640\" height=\"386\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/Karen-Crisostomo-1-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/files\/2015\/04\/Karen-Crisostomo-1-300x181.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong>What made me more certain of IESE\u2019s MBA and why did I apply only to IESE?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Just like in anything in life, you always have to evaluate your purpose. <a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=What+is+your+objective+for+doing+the+MBA%3F+Take+time+to+reflect+and+make+sure+it+is+clear+to+you+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">What is your objective for doing the MBA? Take time to reflect and make sure it is clear to you <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>My goal was to learn and get quality experience from the school that was most attuned to my values and post-MBA goals. My undergraduate degree is in engineering and my professional background is in luxury marketing. My post-MBA plan is to shift into an industry that I\u2019ve always been very passionate about: fashion marketing and retail. Farther down the road, I might explore an entrepreneurial track in the field of customer experience. By then, there may even be new industries and ventures that I have yet to discover. After IESE, the possibilities are surely endless.<\/p>\n<a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=Applying+to+only+one+school+is+risky%2C+but+the+decision+taught+me+to+have+courage+to+take+calculated+risks+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">Applying to only one school is risky, but the decision taught me to have courage to take calculated risks <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>, which is the very essence of business. If you know you can, work hard on it. Sometimes, you don&#8217;t need a Plan B, just enough grit to go all out on Plan A.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>To summarize the experience in three points:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>1. <strong>Know yourself<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>What do you want to do in life and in your career? What do you think you\u2019re capable of? What are you most passionate about? What changes do you want to make? It is important to know the answers to these questions because the decision entails a large investment. <a class=\"inline-twitter-link inline-tweet-click\" href=\"#\" onclick=\"inline_tweet_sharer_open_win('https:\\\/\\\/twitter.com\\\/intent\\\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.iese.edu%2Fmba%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F653%2F&text=You+are+the+author+of+your+story%3B+make+sure+you+have+a+good+idea+how+it+will+turn+out+');\" title=\"Tweet This!\">You are the author of your story; make sure you have a good idea how it will turn out <span class=\"dashicons dashicons-twitter dashicons-inline-tweet-sharer\"><\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>2. <strong>Do your research<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Know the schools you are applying to. It\u2019s not enough to read about them online. Connect with people from the school and get to know the community\u2014it will be a vital part of the decision-making process since the school will also get to know you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Learn from the process<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In my experience, I learned a lot during the application process before I was even accepted into the MBA program. When I relayed my post-MBA goals in an IESE Interview Session, I was told, \u201cThis is ambitious. The important question is \u2018How do you get there?\u2019\u201d This may seem like a simple remark, but it changed the direction of my story and gave me a clearer grasp of what I wanted to do after the MBA.<\/p>\n<p>My main take-away is that I am confident that IESE will be able to guide me throughout all aspects of my life during my MBA program and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this is helpful to future applicants.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I challenge you\u2014Dream and Do it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cDreams do come true!!!\u201d This clich\u00e9 captures the feeling of being accepted into your dream MBA program. This was exactly what I felt when I received my acceptance letter from IESE. I was extremely overjoyed, humbled, and seriously speechless. I had to read the letter at least ten times just to make sure that I&#8230; <\/p>\n<div class=\"more-link-container\"><a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/why-i-chose-the-iese-mba\/\">Read More<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1994,"featured_media":659,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[85920],"tags":[86296,86295,19,67298,10,86297,86298],"class_list":["post-653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-students-corner","tag-admission-iese","tag-admission-mba","tag-iese","tag-iese-mba","tag-mba","tag-why-iese","tag-why-mba"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1994"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=653"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":696,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/653\/revisions\/696"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/659"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.iese.edu\/mba\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}