Episode 125
How to Decide if a US Masters Is Worth It in 2026 (Purdue MBA Director POV) - w/ Prof Dunford
Should an international student still move to the US for a master's right now? That's the question sitting in thousands of inboxes and WhatsApp groups this admissions cycle.
Who this is for
- You are making a career move across countries and the paperwork is part of the stress.
- You would rather hear Prof Dunford's version while the mess is still fresh than get another polished hindsight sermon.
Key takeaways
- Decide if a US Masters Is Worth It in 2026 (Purdue MBA Director POV) - w/ Prof Dunford
- Should an international student still move to the US for a master's right now?
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I've got international students that can run circles around the domestic ones because they have more experience. That's Professor Benjamin Dunford over two decades at Purdue Kellogg ISB and
two decades at Purdue Kellogg ISB and the former academic director over Purdue's entire MBA suit. If you're an international student eyeing a US masters, this is the conversation you need.
conversation you need. But you never make a shot you don't take. It's a differentiator regardless of where you are. But getting in is really only half of it. What happens after you're already here?
after you're already here? It's hard to compete for people with 5 to 7 to 10 years of work experience. If you get a 4.0 when you get out of an NBA program, you're wasting your time.
time. And the market that everyone is so scared of right now, even in our current environment, I would say go for it. Please join me in welcoming Professor Benjamin Dunford to the Ready Set Do podcast. Without any
Show notes
Should an international student still move to the US for a master's right now? That's the question sitting in thousands of inboxes and WhatsApp groups this admissions cycle. Not "which school," not "what score." Just: should I go at all? Naman put it to someone who has watched this play out for over two decades — and who has no reason to sell you the dream.
More in Cross Borders
Same mess. Different guest. Pick the next conversation that feels closest to your real life.