Should an Indian science student at a US university do an MBA before returning to India to start a life sciences company?

An MBA makes sense only if two conditions are met: the student lacks a business background and has a specific direction to build toward. A Harvard, Columbia, or Stanford MBA opens real doors in India, a lesser-known US MBA does not justify the cost.

• An MBA functions primarily as a two-year networking exercise, accelerator access, professor relationships, and co-founder connections.
• A business minor already in progress at BU means some foundational frameworks are already developing.
• India's life sciences hiring ecosystem is not yet as strong as the US. Returning after two to three years of US experience is typically stronger positioning.