<p>I understand that their MBA is the best but I wouldn't be eligible for it as I have only half year full time working experience. I'm more interested in the Master of Arts in Global Affairs and Management program or perhaps even the Master of Science in Global Management program. Just wondering if anyone has heard anything about these programs and how well they are internationally recognized. My undergrad degree is in International Affairs and I have lived on three continents so I'm definitiv interested in an international career path, with a preference toward China (yes, I speak the language pretty fluent). My concern is that from what I heard, most employees in China are more knowledgable of big name US universities as opposite to a specialized school like Thunderbird. Do you guys think something like UCLA would be a better choice? Anyone know what the rough percentage of Chinese students are at Thunderbird (well I figure it might be useful for networking)? </p>
<p>Lastly, anyone know how competitive Thunderbird admission is? My GPA is pretty low (3.4) but I could probably make it up with some excellent recommendations, my international experience and hopefully a good GMAT score. Or does a 3.4 GPA place myself out of consideration?</p>
<p>I found this on Thunderbird’s web site (gosh – all I can think of is rot gut liquor):'</p>
<h1>1 “International” Full-time MBA (Thunderbird – my note)</h1>
<pre><code> #2 - University of South Carolina (Moore) #3 - University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) #4 - University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (Ross) #5 - Columbia University (NY)
</code></pre>
<p>U.S. News & World Report 2010 (14th consecutive #1 ranking)</p>
<p>Since Thunderbird School of Global Management is a US-based school, I couldn’t believe that it ranked above Wharton, Ross, etc. and that I hadn’t heard of it. I think it ranks that high ONLY because of the specific category – “International full-time MBA.” It has a 41% job placement, which seems extraordinarily low for a supposedly top MBA program. So l looked a little further. Most top hits were from the Thunderbird site, but it’s true that it’s listed in USNWR and The Wall Street Journal. In 2008, the WSJ rated Thunderbird number 2 in “Executive MBA Programs.” This seems to be a mid-career school, since the average student age is 37, and the average work experience prior to enrollment is 12 years. Classes meet on “alternate weekends,” plus four residencies. A little over half the students are either partially or fully funded by their companies.</p>
<p>After this small amount of research, I’ve concluded that it’s probably fills its niche well: studies in global management for already employed or recently laid-off individuals.</p>
<p>sorry for posting it in the wrong section. I know Thunderbird is primary a MBA school and based on my research, I’m quite confident that it is the best “international MBA” program in the US. However, the I’m thinking about, Master of Arts in Global Affairs, to my understanding is not a MBA program so I’m not sure whether it is equally comparable to its “international MBA” program in term of recognition.</p>
<p>When I was looking into TBird a while back the deal was if you get the MS you can segue into the MBA program without having to reapply. You should check on that though.</p>
<p>TBird is a very well regarded MBA school, though Glendale is not exactly the nicest part of Phoenix.</p>
<p>I know it’s been almost 3 years since you posted, but I’m wondering if you did attend Thunderbird and major in the MA or MS in Global Affairs & Management. I’d like to correspond about it b/c I’m seriously giving it thought. Also, if you didn’t attend Thunderbird then please let me know WHY and also let me know where you did attend grad school. Thanks!</p>