Your honest advice much appreciated!Situation: I’m considering going for an MBA to one of top b-schools in the US. I will have to finance the programme by myself by taking bank loan.Question 1: What MINIMUM salary can I expect after MBA?Question 2: What is the job guarantee level after completing MBA?Hidden question: I’m concerned whether I’ll be able to repay the loan.Assumptions:1) Let’s say we are speaking about top 10-15 and let’s assume I’d be accepted.2) Let’s also assume that after MBA I won’t be hired by any MC (although I’d like to I’m not good in case studies and fail on the interview stage).3) Let’s also assume that investment banking is not for me as I don’t have genuine interest in financial markets.4) My career objective would be preferably to work in MC (but see assumption 2). If not then in the industry and get to Managing Director level within blue-chip company (e.g. FTSE 100).5) Let’s also assume that till starting MBA I’d have 4-5 years on blue-chip industry experience in finance and project management.Thanks for any advice! As mentioned, please be honest: don't wanna invest 100k in MBA and then not be able to repay it.

Hi there I know where you are coming from on your concerns to commit to that much investment but you are unsure on the return. I would firstly ask what are your motivations behind the MBA what is your main field of intrest e.g. strategy etc.I would also ask if you have failed on previous occassions on interviews what makes you think you can get into a top b-school? The interview to a MC and a b-school are the same you must sell yourself to both and show that you are a good fit with their institution. The main thing you must ask yourself can I actually excel in the MBA? If you went to say Harvard who use mainly case methods for the MBA then you would no doubt improve your case study technique. If you are fully commited to doing an MBA you must forget this self doubt and give it 110% and hope you improve with time.Hope its helped

Hi Tony,Thanks for reply! It does help a bit and please see my answers below...As for the interviews... I do well at fit part. This is actually my strong part... all these ‘pizza tests’, motivation, etc. I fail at case itself (having problems to structure it and not shoot all over the place; dig for answers, etc). So the feedback usually is: fit - ok, case - sorry ;-).Anyway the interview is not my concern cause if I fail at this stage there is no money commitment, so fine with me.Motivation... few reasons. Firstly, I don’t wanna give up on MC and hope that indeed after MBA I’ll improve case study and get into. However I prefer not to assume it because want to know the worst-case scenario risk.Secondly, I’ve always wanted to study in the US: experience the country, culture. But not for 2 weeks during holiday, but normal life.Thirdly, I would like - if possible - move & work to the US and think (hope) that MBA from good school is a good way to secure some decent job there.Finally MBA is a good opportunity for a career change. It’s always good to have more options.Anyway, hope it answer few points. I have seen all these ranking saying ‘after top b-s MBA the average salary is 80-120k USD’. I’m fine with even 50-60k. But how sure is that?

Just wanna bring the thread up and ask for some more opinions. I can imagine that many of you here have done MBA. Thanks in advance for advice.