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Ic0830de
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NON-STEM over STEM program 27 Feb 2023, 00:31
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What are the disadvantages and advantages of studying at a Non STEM business school? Also, will it really matter if I already have an H1B visa?

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MBADecoder
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NON-STEM over STEM program 27 Feb 2023, 04:30
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What are the disadvantages and advantages of studying at a Non STEM business school? Also, will it really matter if I already have an H1B visa?

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The STEM designated MBAs are a relatively new concept that got developed only over the past 5-6 years. I see it as a way for b-schools to attract international applicants who were discouraged from applying to the USA because of the elusive H1B visa and the 1 year OTP rules. STEM designated MBA programs extended the OTP to 3 years- which became an advantage for international applicants.

In your situation, you will have to see how/when the H1B visa applies. If you do a full time MBA, you will have to change your visa to F1. Once your b-school is completed, will you be put back on the H1B visa or will your new employer have to sponsor you again? If that's the case, then there's bound to be uncertainty post MBA about your visa status. If the 3 year OTP helps in this scenario then it will only relieve you of tension.

Basically, you should try to have maximum coverage through either the H1B or the OTP.

Academically, an MBA curriculum will achieve STEM status if it has the required level of analytical and quant based course material. So you can expect courses around analytics and finance.

Another thing to note is that sometimes only specific concentrations within an MBA program are STEM designated. So you may have to opt for these concentrations in order to get a STEM certification. Adding to that, as part of your essay writing, you will have to zero in on the academic gaps you need to fulfill via an MBA to achieve your career goals. If the coursework of a particular program helps you meet this objective (besides satisfying your other criteria), you would apply there, so the program's STEM status will not be the deciding factor then.

Here's an article that will help you figure out the different formats in which b-schools offer STEM designation.