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MBA Trend Alert: Americans head to Europe

We’ve seen a dramatic increase in interest for the top European business schools from the US market over the last 18 months, which made us curious if this was a broader industry trend.

What we heard back from heads of MBA Admissions affirms that, yes, they are seeing a significant spike in US applicants pursing the MBA in Europe. And the reasons why are as revealing as the statistics.

In his latest feature for Poets&Quants, Americans Head To Europe For The MBA, Fortuna Director Matt Symonds examines the upwards trend in US applications to European programs, and what it means for MBA hopefuls looking to make their mark. He quotes observations and data from heads of admissions at INSEAD, HEC Paris, IE (Madrid), and Rotterdam School of Management.

Americans Head to Europe for the MBA: The Numbers

  • HEC Paris saw a 21% increase in US demand in 2017, plus a 16% increase in apps in the first six months of 2018
  • 35% growth in US apps to INSEAD cited 18 months ago, and INSEAD head of admissions confirms that “…volumes have remained at a significant level.”
  • Apps to IE Madrid are up almost 17% for its Fall 2018 intake, compared to last year.

The Story Behind the Numbers: What it Means for You

While the rest of the world has reacted to a changing political climate and concerns about visa opportunities in the US, a growing number of US applicants are looking to Europe for their personal and professional development. And, recruiters echo that having an international MBA often puts candidates in a privileged situation compared to the ones that hold a degree from a domestic school. Read the full article for more insights.

Fortuna Admissions Co-Founder and Director Matt Symonds is a frequent contributor to Forbes, BusinessWeek, The Economist, BusinessWeek, the BBC, and AméricaEconomia.

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