Dear Thomas Graf,
I have read many of ur posts here. I have checked your designations too...It really takes lot of passion and patience for a person sitting in such a high post to write down to people's queries and help them the right way. Hats off to you!

I'm Raja from India. I have done my Bachelors in Computer Science [Honours degree] from one of the reputed schools in India [Birla Institute of Technology and Science] I have also completed my Masters [M.Sc] in Mathematics along with that. [CGPA: 7.8 / 10] Till date, I have 4 years and 3 months of professional experience & 1 year of internship experience. I work in the IT department of a Semi conductor firm. I have a great name for my work here.

I have always dreamt of doing higher studies abroad and settle there. I completely lacked guidance through out my career. [My parents are well educated but basically from Villages] The term "Internet" was known to me only when I stepped into my college. :)

With the help of the knowledge that I acquired from my acquaintances/friends, and data from internet, I applied for a Masters in Computer science last fall. [Fall 2014 intake]. I failed miserably, and lost 10/10 of the colleges I have applied. I secured 311 in my GRE [Q162 / V149 / AWA3.0] but could not secure an admit to any of the universities I applied. I could not express my sorrow at that time.

I have always aimed at achieving something special, very special in my life. But all of a sudden [within a span of 1 year], I feel I wasted my career, feeling very low in confidence, feeling the inability to do things without confusion, etc]

People who work with me say that I think out of the box, my analytical thinking is good, etc. I have received lot of compliments on my dedication and passion towards whatever I do. Starting from Professional work, social events/service, events like shooting a movie, etc I do the best and win among all. People admire my growth trajectory [from a village to BITS and then to a software firm with a high repute]

But they critique my soft skills. I'm a fun loving person but very short tempered. Folks say that its difficult for people to work with me. I certainly trying to improve on all these aspects.

I desperately feel that I need to grow up my professional career. I'm more interested in the Management side. I gave a thought on MBA but dropped considering the cost involved and for other reasons that I mentioned below. [I have read ur comments on Finance but still]. Alternatively, I have come across the program "Management Information Systems" which is a sandwich pgm between the CS school and the B-School of the university. Say, as an MIS student in New york univ, you get the chance to take courses from Stern B-school and the CS counterpart.

The course, I feel would certainly make me progress through my professional career, assuming a more managerial role. I would prefer to take on managerial role rather than a role of a Technical lead. I believe MIS would fulfill my short dream effectively. I have shortlisted the universities and about to apply for each program [for fall 2015].

However, recently, I came across the MIM program that the Business schools offer. I'm quite attracted towards it as its a degree from B-school and the more famous "Business / Management" title. But will this suite me now - considering my experience?

My long term dream is to do an MBA in a very [very] reputed institute. Right now, I do not have such an impressive profile or an entreprenuer experience to get into the top B-schools. I always dream to settle in one of the European countries [without missing any of the Football matches]. My friends say that if I could get into one of the top schools with an MIM degree, I can later apply for an MBA in the same school and will get the benefit of the school's alumni with regards to MBA admission. Is this practical?

My current situation: I am not in a position to wait for 1 or 2 years, work in India and go straight towards an MBA degree. Due to personal reasons that I cant put forth in the forum, I need to move abroad asap. I know getting a H1B from a firm helps but I did not try that and I lack confidence too badly. I do not want to mess up my career due to the urgency to move abroad. Hence I felt, an education in my career line would help me through in such tough situations. I'm really through touch situations. Its due to this, i cannot even attempt for GMAT.

So as per my current situation, I have decided to go for an MIS in US or MIM in Europe as of now, gain some more experience and then go for an MBA [probably in Europe as I love the country]. Which one would be an ideal fit for me? Yes, I acknowledge that interest is something that matters but I usually derive interest in any field as long as I have something new every now & then AND challenging. I'm that kind of person. I hate to go with mundane stuff.

Whatever degree I aim at, I need to give a shot through my GRE score [that I got last year]. I see decent universities for MIS [CMU, NYU, Eller] for my profile. But MIM, I'm worried because the avg GMAT looms around 680 in good universities and GRE around 157Q and 164V. I'm worried again that I might lose one more year if I do not apply properly.

Will I go better with MIS or MIM? I can afford both degrees. But for MBA, I need to build my profile so that I can get into the TOP. Which course will aid my future dream?

Pls provide your thoughts considering my present situation and future career perspective.
I definetely owe you u a lot for ur guidance and advise.

Waiting for ur reply!

Thanks
Raja