Marketing Spotlight
India - Reaching Beyond New YorkBy Tom Lo
The Zicklin School of Business currently enrolls 153 graduate students from India. They constitute the largest group from any one country (6.7%). This represents a 51% increase since 2003 and growth is likely to continue with our added efforts to recruit in India since 2006 with The MBA Tour.
While these figures are impressive, the increase of Indian students is also closely linked to the enormous changes occurring in India. Much of India’s recent success is being fueled by the energy and ambitions of Indian students seeking university degrees outside their country. According to a recent TopMBA.com survey, only 29.6% are considering studying for their MBA in India.
The United States is the top destination for students pursuing studies outside of India, with over 83,833 currently enrolled throughout the U.S. (Institute of International Education 2007). In 2006 close to half a million students sought admissions advice from USIEF (United States-India Educational Foundation). This intense interest among young Indians seeking to understand and take charge of their educational options continues to expand unabated. Even with the added immigration pressures from the United States since 2001, over 25,000 Indian students entered the United States last year to begin their studies.
Approximately 75% of the students from India studying in the United States are enrolled in graduate programs, and of this group, over 18% have selected business disciplines (USIEF Chennai, India Report 2007). Close to 40% finance their studies with bank loans and their journeys are driven by dreams similar to many in the United States.
From the perspective of graduate business schools, the number of GMAT test takers from India is astounding. In 2002-03, 10,516 sat for the GMAT. Last year the number rose to 16,618. With approximately 11 million Indians currently enrolled in universities (representing only 11% of Indian teenagers), an increase in Indian students seeking degrees outside India is likely to increase.
When Baruch made a decision to join The MBA Tour in 2006, the most obvious objective was to personally meet the rising number of applicants in India. We also wanted to gain a better understanding of their educational system, interview interested candidates and return with a more informed approach as we rendered decisions on their applications.
The MBA Tour travels through four major cities each fall accompanied by 40 MBA programs from around the world. Three cities have remained constant through the years (Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai); this year the tour ventured into Hyderabad. Last year attendance levels were the highest since The MBA Tour-India started, with each city seeing over 1,000 participants. When the fair doors open, the on rush of students, even for veteran admissions representatives can be an overwhelming experience.
Baruch’s reception has been among the best. During my last three years, as Baruch’s representative, I have frequently been surprised by the large number of fair participants who told me they were acquainted with a Baruch alumni or a currently enrolled student. Their interest, based on the reputation created by our growing Indian student community, was genuine, and Baruch is clearly benefiting from the reputation the Indian community is creating.
In 2006 when we decided to make our first international recruitment trip with The MBA Tour, I reached out for support from the Baruch community. The response from current students was enormous. Many current students stopped by to wish me well, offered advice and a few were hoping to tag along. This year’s support from current Zicklin students remains undiminished and volunteer support has increased to include both current students and alumni. In addition, I have been able to gain in-country alumni support in two of the largest cities: Delhi and Mumbai.
I have been overwhelmed by Baruch’s success, and my own appetite to explore this fascinating country continues to grow. Having had the privilege of seeing India as a Baruch representative, my future plans include a personal trip to India, where I will walk quietly along the streets of India’s great cities, and not worry about the next interview.