thisguy310 wrote:
I think this is important for you to know if you're considering a part-time/executive/fully employed program and looking to switch career paths. Not all career centers are built equally
https://www.businessweek.com/business-sc ... 32011.htmlThat said, yes like others mentioned the median gmat or gpa scores may be a little lower, but that's mainly because they are sampling from local applicants vs a nationwide or international pool. At reputable part-time programs, the diff between full-time and part-time stats may just be 20-30 points. (in our case 705 FT GMAT median vs 690 FEMBA GMAT median).
Certain programs you can might be able to slide by or they'll have different faculty that teach part time vs full time programs, but for others the grading criteria and class competition can be just as stiff as full time programs. Compound this with family and a full work schedule, and well... it doesn't feel so "part-time" any more.
Just speaking from personal experience, at Anderson we have the same faculty and same finals for our FEMBA program as the full-time program.
Here's some more info:
https://www.businessweek.com/business-sc ... 2011.html#Best of luck with your decision, my big advice would be to talk to students and alumni of the programs you're looking to apply to. Don't just read school web sites or brochures, they don't always give you all the juicy details or dirt on the school.
thisguy310 hit is on the nose, but to add to his post:
If you are unemployed I would push you to go full time, especially if you want to go in the next year or two. It is hard to get into a company, understand what they're about, and move up to a position where one they will fully support you (Not financially) through a part time/executive program and secondly you'll be able to apply what you're learning (That is one of the big bonuses of part time /executive programs)
The barriers to entry with regard to testing/grades etc. are a little bit lower, but if you're applying to a well ranked EMBA or part time program, the people you will be in class with will have A LOT more experience (In a good program) than they would in a full time program. So while some aspects are easier, others are more challenging; it is a little humbling when you're at an open house and your only a middle manager and you're talking with Directors, VP's, Start-Up owners etc. You'll see that the weekend EMBA programs will have a larger geography associated with them (i.e. people fly in b/c classes are every other weekend), but evening weekly programs will be more centralized around the area of the school (i.e. smaller applicant pool)
If you're planning on changing careers / industries be careful about a part time / EMBA program, you don't get a chance for internships or full immersion into the B-School life like you will in full time. This is good if you plan to stay in your current industry, you can keep chugging along on career development and moving up while in the program w/o missing a beat, where you couldn't in a full time program.
And again as thisguy310 said above, DO YOUR RESEARCH on programs and professors. You don't want to end up in a half rate program that uses all adjunct professors for their part time / EMBA programs. And you want to make sure you mesh well with the people and type of curriculum (Case, lecture, etc.). Believe me you'll know when you don't mesh with a program (You figure this out by going to a bunch of open houses and finding people who have completed the programs)
Hope this helps!