I’m currently in the frantic process of pulling together my exchange application. I am absolutely set on my first choice (Manchester), and will probably cry if I don’t get in (seriously), so I hit up the UGO and asked the exchange advisor if it would be possible to list it as my first choice during Term 1, Term 2 as my second choice, and the full year as my third. After realizing I was dead set on the school (and that I would probably cry if I didn’t get to go) she gently told me that no, that was essentially the same thing, but if I would be disappointed elsewhere, not to list anything else; however, if I couldn’t be placed there, I would lose my deposit.
Well. I am probably the most risk adverse person imaginable so for the last 24 hours I’ve been scrambling to research all the other options available to me. Visiting all the different business schools’ websites, I realized just how much marketing goes on. Universities are competing for the intellect and dollars of students, faculty, and sponsors and go to great lengths to create and communicate the value of their facilities and resources. Most notable is their promotion of the opportunity for value co-creation: reminding students that they themselves are collaborators in creating their educational experience, which can be tailored to satisfy whatever needs and wants they may have and receive additional value from their university degrees.
Well after much ado, I’ve settled on Warwick Business School as my second choice (their website and press releases heavily promote their numerous prestigious awards and accolades and their internationally reknowned reputation), and Copenhagen Business School (research excellence! A modern global perspective on learning!) as my third.
Keeping my fingers crossed for Manchester though!
