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08 Sep 2014, 18:49
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello All,
I've been out of college now for 8 years and I've been working full-time in marketing. I'm currently looking to enroll in a part-time MBA program for Spring 2015 and I'm debating on whether to enroll in a major, reputable, nationally-known University's online program or go to my alma mater, Old Dominion University part-time on-campus MBA program. I'm having a hard time finding unbiased opinions on online Universities and whether recruiters, employers or people in general look down on online MBA degrees. Or, will employers or recruiters even know unless they ask me specifically? Most of the programs I applied to are taught by the same faculty that teaches the full-time on-campus MBAs and they are all accredited.
I plan on using the degree to increase my skills and knowledge in business/marketing and will use it to move up in my industry. I'm not necessarily worried about the networking opportunities one program offers over the other... or should I be?
I've applied to online MBA programs at Florida State, Penn State, University of Florida, and Auburn University. So far, I've been accepted by Penn State and University of Florida. Are these online program particularly selective? I feel like my portfolio is not at all that impressive. However, I do have practical experience in multiple managing positions.
If I'm only looking to get out of the program the effort I put into it with the recognition of a major University degree, should I just go with the least expensive online program?
Also, I have a 6-month old boy, so you can see why an online degree is attractive to me.
Has anyone come to this same cross-road? Or does anyone have helpful comments to add?
Thanks so much in advance.
I've been out of college now for 8 years and I've been working full-time in marketing. I'm currently looking to enroll in a part-time MBA program for Spring 2015 and I'm debating on whether to enroll in a major, reputable, nationally-known University's online program or go to my alma mater, Old Dominion University part-time on-campus MBA program. I'm having a hard time finding unbiased opinions on online Universities and whether recruiters, employers or people in general look down on online MBA degrees. Or, will employers or recruiters even know unless they ask me specifically? Most of the programs I applied to are taught by the same faculty that teaches the full-time on-campus MBAs and they are all accredited.
I plan on using the degree to increase my skills and knowledge in business/marketing and will use it to move up in my industry. I'm not necessarily worried about the networking opportunities one program offers over the other... or should I be?
I've applied to online MBA programs at Florida State, Penn State, University of Florida, and Auburn University. So far, I've been accepted by Penn State and University of Florida. Are these online program particularly selective? I feel like my portfolio is not at all that impressive. However, I do have practical experience in multiple managing positions.
If I'm only looking to get out of the program the effort I put into it with the recognition of a major University degree, should I just go with the least expensive online program?
Also, I have a 6-month old boy, so you can see why an online degree is attractive to me.
Has anyone come to this same cross-road? Or does anyone have helpful comments to add?
Thanks so much in advance.
08 Sep 2014, 20:56
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi and welcome to GMAT Club!
I salute you for working hard on your career and handling admissions, GMAT, and all of that fun while being in the early motherhood stage. That's amazing effort!
As to your situation, it really depends on what your goal is. Are you thinking of staying within the same company and getting a promotion or are you trying to change industries?
Neither Online nor the Evening MBA programs are really designed for switches/jumpers/whatever you call them. These programs are mostly for folks who have a job and want to advance their career in the current company or who feel that they can easily switch to a different company (within the same industry) and get more money or a better job due to the MBA.
The degree alone does not guarantee a higher salary or a job. Many MBA's have to work very hard to secure positions and have to heavily rely on their past experience, school recruiting resources, and constant nagging of alumni and personal network.
So your options are:
1. Looking for a job within the same company or industry. Feel comfortable with your recruiting and just need an MBA for extra umph - I would go with the online one since you have a kid (I can't see how you can do part time with one and work during the day)
2. Looking to change industries/etc and jump lanes/levels/major change type of situation - You would need to go for the Full Time
As to the reputation of online MBA programs - yes, it is bad. Mostly because majority of them are for-profit schools and they only care about making money. If you want to evaluate the programs you got into - look up their average GMAT score, work experience and ultimately their acceptance rate. That should tell you how good/worthless they are. Also, keep in mind that online programs are not treated the same on campus and you don't have the same access to career resources and other benefits (this may vary by school however).
P.S. The only 2 online programs i feel strong and great about are the MBA@UNC and Duke programs.
I feel that others will be somewhat a money pit but I encourage you to connect with alumni and ask them these questions. I think they will be honest and if you are not hearing back, that should be a sign.
Good Luck on your quest!
I salute you for working hard on your career and handling admissions, GMAT, and all of that fun while being in the early motherhood stage. That's amazing effort!
As to your situation, it really depends on what your goal is. Are you thinking of staying within the same company and getting a promotion or are you trying to change industries?
Neither Online nor the Evening MBA programs are really designed for switches/jumpers/whatever you call them. These programs are mostly for folks who have a job and want to advance their career in the current company or who feel that they can easily switch to a different company (within the same industry) and get more money or a better job due to the MBA.
The degree alone does not guarantee a higher salary or a job. Many MBA's have to work very hard to secure positions and have to heavily rely on their past experience, school recruiting resources, and constant nagging of alumni and personal network.
So your options are:
1. Looking for a job within the same company or industry. Feel comfortable with your recruiting and just need an MBA for extra umph - I would go with the online one since you have a kid (I can't see how you can do part time with one and work during the day)
2. Looking to change industries/etc and jump lanes/levels/major change type of situation - You would need to go for the Full Time
As to the reputation of online MBA programs - yes, it is bad. Mostly because majority of them are for-profit schools and they only care about making money. If you want to evaluate the programs you got into - look up their average GMAT score, work experience and ultimately their acceptance rate. That should tell you how good/worthless they are. Also, keep in mind that online programs are not treated the same on campus and you don't have the same access to career resources and other benefits (this may vary by school however).
P.S. The only 2 online programs i feel strong and great about are the MBA@UNC and Duke programs.
I feel that others will be somewhat a money pit but I encourage you to connect with alumni and ask them these questions. I think they will be honest and if you are not hearing back, that should be a sign.
Good Luck on your quest!
09 Sep 2014, 11:59
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Atom10 - I responded to your PM, but I also wanted to quickly reply here for "public" consumption.
You said: "I'm not necessarily worried about the networking opportunities one program offers over the other... or should I be?"
You should absolutely be "worried" about the networking opportunities, that is one of the major takeaways from an MBA program, or it should be anyway.
You also said: "If I'm only looking to get out of the program the effort I put into it with the recognition of a major University degree, should I just go with the least expensive online program?"
The answer to this is a bit muddled, but the answer should be no, you don't choose a school based solely on the price tag. As with almost everything else in life, price tends to reflect quality - not always, but it's a good rule of thumb. Now, if it's coming down to two schools that, in your measurements, are a "wash" then, sure, make the decision on price.
I also wanted to address a couple of things in BB's reply. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and I respect that, however to say that only Duke - which doesn't have a true online option and MBA@UNC are the only programs that you feel strong & "great" about indicates to me that you haven't done much research beyond a cursory glance. That, or Duke & UNC are paying the majority of your bills. I attend UF's internet MBA and am set to graduate in December. I have all the access to the same resources as the FT students do. That said, most of my cohort are in LDP's for Lockheed/BAE/Kohler or some other mega-company, so they are limited to the resources they have access to because it would be a conflict of interest for a school to partner with a company and then help the student leave that company for "greener" pastures. Also, your comment about the reputation is a broad stroke inclusive of the for profits, which wasn't on Adam's list of schools. His question was about the perception of obtaining your MBA from a, and I quote, "major, reputable, nationally-known University's online program" vs going to a part time/weekend MBA program offered by Old Dominion - his alma mater. I would argue, based on my experience and my research, that an MBA from PSU online will hold more weight than one from ODU. I believe that is the comparison he was asking about.
In my experience, there is ZERO stigma with earning an MBA online from a reputable, accredited university. If you, or anybody that reads my response, are interested in learning more about the research I did while making my decision or the experience that I've had while attending UF's Internet MBA, please feel free to message me.
Regards,
Chris
You said: "I'm not necessarily worried about the networking opportunities one program offers over the other... or should I be?"
You should absolutely be "worried" about the networking opportunities, that is one of the major takeaways from an MBA program, or it should be anyway.
You also said: "If I'm only looking to get out of the program the effort I put into it with the recognition of a major University degree, should I just go with the least expensive online program?"
The answer to this is a bit muddled, but the answer should be no, you don't choose a school based solely on the price tag. As with almost everything else in life, price tends to reflect quality - not always, but it's a good rule of thumb. Now, if it's coming down to two schools that, in your measurements, are a "wash" then, sure, make the decision on price.
I also wanted to address a couple of things in BB's reply. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and I respect that, however to say that only Duke - which doesn't have a true online option and MBA@UNC are the only programs that you feel strong & "great" about indicates to me that you haven't done much research beyond a cursory glance. That, or Duke & UNC are paying the majority of your bills. I attend UF's internet MBA and am set to graduate in December. I have all the access to the same resources as the FT students do. That said, most of my cohort are in LDP's for Lockheed/BAE/Kohler or some other mega-company, so they are limited to the resources they have access to because it would be a conflict of interest for a school to partner with a company and then help the student leave that company for "greener" pastures. Also, your comment about the reputation is a broad stroke inclusive of the for profits, which wasn't on Adam's list of schools. His question was about the perception of obtaining your MBA from a, and I quote, "major, reputable, nationally-known University's online program" vs going to a part time/weekend MBA program offered by Old Dominion - his alma mater. I would argue, based on my experience and my research, that an MBA from PSU online will hold more weight than one from ODU. I believe that is the comparison he was asking about.
In my experience, there is ZERO stigma with earning an MBA online from a reputable, accredited university. If you, or anybody that reads my response, are interested in learning more about the research I did while making my decision or the experience that I've had while attending UF's Internet MBA, please feel free to message me.
Regards,
Chris
