Rotman School of Management
This review was written by Nirvan Gandhi on 6th April, 2025
ROTMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ACTION
10 years ago, I was a wide-eyed 20-something working in downtown Toronto. One cold afternoon—jacket zipped up, hands freezing—I stood outside 105 St. George Street. It was my first ever visit to a B-school campus.
Rotman.
At the time, I had no idea I’d one day get into ISB, become a coach for hundreds of MBA aspirants, or even write this blog.
But I do remember what I felt that day: this school is right in the middle of the action.
Unlike a lot of other campuses tucked away in university towns, Rotman is embedded into Toronto’s concrete jungle. You step out and boom—CN Tower to your left, corporate offices across the road, and every major recruiter within walking distance.
It’s not serene. It’s electric.
Location, Location, Location
Rotman sits right in the heart of downtown Toronto.
You're not tucked away in a university town.
You walk out of class and you’re already in the thick of Bay Street.
Consulting offices. Tech startups. Finance giants.
And the energy? Constant.
If you're someone who wants to network, hustle, intern, job-shadow, cold-email — this is a playground.
You don’t need to “go to the city” to find opportunities. You’re already in it.
The Brand: Strong in Canada, Growing Elsewhere
Let’s not sugarcoat it.
Rotman is the B-school in Canada.
It’s part of University of Toronto, which is like the Harvard of Canada — super respected, especially in academia and research.
In terms of placements, it’s got solid ties with all the big employers across Canada.
If you want to work in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary — this is a safe bet.
And if you’re gunning for the U.S., the brand is growing, but not yet on par with top-15 U.S. schools. Just keep that in mind.
Career Support: Very Canadian (Take That How You Will)
Let me be real.
Canada’s job market is slow.
Polite. Process-driven.
There’s less of the American-style aggressive hiring.
But here’s the upside: Rotman’s Career Centre is genuinely hands-on.
They have coffee chats, resume bootcamps, interview coaching, alumni connects — all baked into the program.
And the second-year internship? That’s gold. It gives you Canadian experience, which matters a lot to recruiters here.
Just one heads-up: you will have to hustle. The school supports, but the job doesn’t land in your lap.
The City: Safe, Cold, Cosmopolitan
Toronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world.
Food, festivals, people — it’s a melting pot.
It’s safe. Clean. Organized.
But yes — winters can be brutal. (God! I hate Canadian winters).
Its depressing as hell.
-20°C and snow for months.
So if you're from Mumbai or Chennai and thinking "Oh it can’t be that bad" — it can.
Still, for many, the tradeoff is worth it.
Quality of life in Canada is excellent. Healthcare. Infrastructure. Public services. All top-notch.
THE ROTMAN ADVANTAGE: STRUCTURED, STRONG, STRATEGIC
Rotman doesn’t mess around when it comes to academics.
This isn’t one of those chill MBA programs where you “find yourself” sipping lattes. It’s structured. Heavy on analytics. And the famous Integrative Thinking approach they’re known for? It’s not just marketing jargon.
They teach you how to break down complex business problems by pushing you to think beyond frameworks. Real strategy—not textbook theory.
Their Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) is another beast altogether. If you’re into startups or emerging tech, CDL gives you real exposure to cutting-edge ventures across AI, quantum computing, cleantech, and more.
CLASS SIZE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY
Rotman’s class size is around 280-330 people—not too big, not too small. It’s a good balance for meaningful connections without feeling lost in a sea of faces.
The crowd is diverse. Over 50% of the cohort is international. And you’ll meet people from all walks—bankers, consultants, NGO folks, engineers, pharmacists, artists.
Culturally, I wouldn’t call it chill or cutthroat—it sits somewhere in the middle. People are competitive, yes, but you’ll find your tribe. And Toronto’s vibrant, multicultural vibe reflects in the Rotman classroom too.
If You're into Finance, Rotman’s Got Muscle
If you're someone who dreams in balance sheets and builds DCF models for fun—Rotman should absolutely be on your radar.
This is Bay Street territory. Canada's Wall Street. You're literally studying within walking distance of the HQs of the Big 5 banks, every major asset manager, and dozens of private equity and venture capital firms. So while you're attending lectures, your future employers are attending board meetings across the street.
And Rotman knows this. They’ve built a Finance Lab that mimics a trading floor. Their portfolio management and investment banking clubs don’t just exist—they move. The school also runs a student-led fund, and the Capital Markets Institute brings in real industry folks for lectures, workshops, and—most importantly—networking.
I've seen how tightly connected this ecosystem is. When I was in Toronto nearly a decade ago, the buzz around Rotman grads walking straight into roles at RBC Capital Markets or CPPIB wasn’t just a brochure pitch—it was happening. Still is.
Final Verdict: Should You Apply to Rotman School of Management
Rotman is a solid bet—especially if you’re looking to work in Canada after your MBA. The downtown Toronto location isn’t just cool; it’s strategic. You’re in the heart of where business happens. Finance? This is your playground. Consulting? You’ve got access. Tech and product? It’s emerging, slowly but surely.
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The class size is large, the academic structure is rigorous, and the faculty is no joke. Rotman will challenge the way you think—with its focus on “integrative thinking” and real-world applications.
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But here’s the thing you must remember: Canada is not like the US. If you’re an international student, your options are limited given that you don't have experience working in Canada (something that most recruiters like). And unlike the US, the market here doesn’t absorb talent at scale. It’s smaller. More cautious. Slower. The economy is also not doing well.
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So don’t apply with rose-tinted glasses. Do your research. Speak to grads. Understand the trade-offs.
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But if your goals align with the geography, the sectors, and the lifestyle—Rotman won’t disappoint. In fact, it might just surprise you.
THE CORNER CAFE THAT GROUNDED ME
Last anecdote before I sign off.
There was this tiny cafe (I don't remember the name now)—just off Bloor Street, a few steps from the Rotman campus. I used to stop by for coffee and banana bread before walking to work.
It wasn’t fancy. But the barista remembered your order. Students sat with casebooks. Consultants dropped in for a caffeine fix. And you could feel the buzz of ambition in the air.
That’s what Rotman feels like to me: a quiet force in a city full of motion.
Not loud. Not overhyped.
Just real.