Should I accept Cornell 1-Year MBA?

Question

Hi all,

I need some advice.

I got admitted into the Cornell 1-year MBA program. I have got a Ph.D. In Pharmaceutical Science, and have been in the pharmaceutical industry for the past 4 years, thus I’m inclined towards the 1 year MBA programs.

I’m concerned that the 1-year MBA could be perceived as inferior to the 2-year MBA, and this would affect my employment opportunities in the USA.

I would appreciate if someone could advise me on this.

Thank you.

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aloysiusgaul · Answer

If you want advice that you can trust, you need to tell us more. Otherwise the only correct answer is "it depends". What are your professional goals? Why are you pursuing an MBA? Why did you apply for the 1 year program if you're not sure you actually want to matriculate?

bb · Answer

Congrats on your admit! 
I don’t believe there’s such perception. Many programs actually mingle there one year into your students. The one year program students tend to be more experienced and therefore older. They usually miss out on an internship but usually it’s not an issue because they don’t need it per say and would not otherwise fit into a standard internship program.

If you review the curriculum for the two year and one year program, the difference is usually one semester or about so of classes that tend to be introductory.

Taking into consideration that most students recruit during the beginning of their second year, they technically recruited on as much experience and exposure to business school as the one year MBA’s.

Anyone ever heard of a 1-year degree having an issue?

One aspect to consider is timing and recruiting. How many programs pitch it as a positive but he will technically graduate in July or June. Sorry I don’t know exact timing for Johnson. You recruiting cycles will be slightly different from the full-time students and often you’ll be recruiting off-campus.

In any case, you can put your doubts to rest very easily by talking to a handful of the Johnson students and see if they have a feeling and if they would’ve done it differently. Hi don’t think they would then they only regret they may have is not doing an internship But they knew that going into it.

Hope it helps.

DrBan · Answer

Hi,

Thank you for your response.

My professional goal is to continue within the pharmaceutical domain in a business development role. I’m currently in a business development role in Asia. My Ph.D definitely helps, as knowing the technical side of pharma enables me to make commercial decisions. However, I lack the business fundamentals, thus to mature further within the commercial side of pharma industry, I decided to pursue an MBA. I applied for the 1 Year program as I already have an advanced degree, and I do not want to be away from the workforce for too long.

Now my concern is......I heard that a majority of the Cornell 1year MBA graduates return back to their home countries due to difficulty in securing a job, as recruiters do not value the 1-year MBA as much as the 2-year MBA due to the lack of an internship. I do not know to what extent this is true.

Would you be able to provide some advice on this? Thank you.

Posted from my mobile device

aloysiusgaul · Answer

The one year MBA is not really suitable for folks who are wanting a career pivot because the lack of an internship means they're recruiting for roles with no experience in the industry. The lack of an internship doesn't really matter for someone in your situation, because you already have full-time professional experience doing the exact role you want post-MBA. If you're hoping to relocate to the US (and assuming you don't have permanent working rights), it will still be difficult -- but that won't be made easier by a two year MBA program, except that it would give you an extra year to network.

It sounds like the 1 year MBA may be suitable for you, but I would encourage you to also consider part-time MBAs. Since you aren't looking to pivot in your career and seem sensitive to time away from the workforce, a part-time or weekend MBA may be a suitable solution for giving you skills without detouring your career growth. Of course, it has a different element when it comes to the social impact, but I think it's worth mentioning Cornell's one year MBA is only 50-60 students a year anyway, so it's not like you'd be giving up much (if any) business school network by going part-time in a larger program.

gh2021 · Answer

Hi DrBan

The best people to answer your question would be the Cornell 1-Y alums. Jobs are aplenty in the US (and the 1-Ys recruit along with the 2Ys if I am not wrong). It’s the visa that becomes an issue (if the degree doesn’t have a stem designation, then it’s just 1 year of OPT by which you have to get H1B). Again, please speak to alums who have been in your shoes.

bb · Answer

Should I accept Cornell 1-Year MBA?

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