Ripples on the brain

After I studied at the ISB, whenever I attend a family function or a get-together, the fees at ISB becomes an important part of the discussion. I attended a cousin’s betrothal function yesterday in Mumbai, where I was introduced to the groom’s parents. The discussion veered to ISB too soon, as expected.

Groom’s dad: What is the fees? I heard it is 11 lakhs.
Me: No it was totally 15 lakhs including the fees and the accomodation. It comes to 16 lakhs this year.

Gd: How was the experience? Is the whole thing worth?
Me: For me it was worth it. I think generally people who have a clear idea of why they need an MBA and what they want to do after an MBA benefit a lot from the program.

Gd: I heard they give laptops and all to their students.
Me: Laptops are compulsory, but we buy them ourselves.

Gd: That 15 lakhs is costly even when you compare US MBAs. If you have a green card, you can do your MBA in $20,000.
Me: Is it? I thought $30,000 was the minimum fees.

Now my uncle, the bride’s father who was watching it joins.
Uncle: If you have a GC, I think it is only $20,000.
Me: Ok, probably. As I said, for me ISB was worth it.
…..

Neither is this the first time, not am I the first ISBian in this situation. Somehow people are caught up with this 15 lakhs figure (either this or the 1 crore salary, but 1 crore has now faded in the public memory I think). I am sure I’d asked the same question, if I was on the other side. I don’t know if they expected me to provide any justification for the 15 lakhs, but I didn’t care to provide one.

In these circumstances, I honestly don’t know whether to respond or not. Obviously a conversation of this nature is too short for me to explain anything.