bb
Hey there old-timer!
Looks like you have been thinking about the MBA for a while, at least based on the join date.
Usually folks will go to PT MBA close to where they live. The PT program is kind of the "local MBA" option really but it has also been a great way for many to get into a high ranked MBA program with less than stellar GMAT score. (WE and Career trump GMAT for PT programs). They also tend to be much less competitive in terms of applicant number and have numerous other benefits including ROI. They are tougher for career changes since schools often do not provide career resources/opportunities/on campus hiring events for PT and EMBA candidates. I believe, however, that Kellogg does but it is a bit blurry on that one.
So this brings to the question, why do you want to do an MBA in a city you are not living? (So Cal or potentially NY area?). You did not get in?
As a career changer, you ideally want to do a FT MBA but I understand your student debt and income dilemma and you gotta do what you gotta do. Your age is borderline for the FT program too, so in a few years you won't be able to do it either; you will have to do EMBA. However, with most programs, you won't capture any savings/income improvement from your degree until sometime in 2020. Depending on your salary, there may not be much difference in taking 18 months completely off for a FT MBA vs. 27 or 30 months for a PT program. However, in either case, you need to figure out your geography first and not go crazy and miss classes because your flight is late or there is a snow storm in Chicago.
You ideally do not want to touch an online MBA with an 11-foot pole. Employers have as much respect for an online MBA as they do for online pharmacies and it remains to be seen how much help they offer with consulting employment (do you know anything about Kelley online program numbers?)
I would suggest expanding the options/list of schools to include ones closer to your current/future residence.
Good Luck!
Hey bb,
Thanks for the response! Yes, I've been considering the MBA for some time now, took a hiatus for several years after I got a job at Amazon and moved out to Seattle. Now I think the time is right to pursue the MBA (through PT or EMBA format).
The reason I'm applying to schools in different cities is b/c my wife will be applying for residencies, and my job is flexible in that I can work out of offices in different cities. Our relocation really lies with where she gets matched for residency (at this point, either Chicago or NY/NJ). So once she gets matched, we will move there. Within NY and Chicago areas, the top schools that I am most interested in are Kellogg, NYU, and Darden (1hr plane ride from NJ). These would have me covered for the traditional PT path. The "online" format and the Darden EMBA would give me options to complete the MBA from a ranked school while not having to worry about location. We have everything timed so that I would make my decision on a program (if I get offers) based on where she gets matched. FT MBA would be awesome, but my current salary is too high to forgo for 2 years!
I understand your point of view on the online program, and I also agree with you to some extent. I would prefer to not do it online, but I can't ignore the benefit of the lowered costs (i.e. $50K for a top-20 program at Kelley). I agree with you on the concern about the online stigma, but since it looks the same on the resume as any other MBA, do you think employers would care/notice (other than top consulting firms)? Since I want to transition into consulting specific for Retail/CPG (to leverage my prior experience in these industries), I'm hoping that my WE + checking the MBA box (even if it's done online) will help me get a foot in the door at a Tier2 consulting firm like Accenture/Deloitte as an experienced hire. If I am able to get into Kellogg or Darden EMBA I would try to shoot for Bain or BCG! Ultimately, after a couple of years of consulting I'd want to move back into CPG industry.
I don't have specific numbers or percentages for Kelley's online MBA and consulting, although I've been told they get recruiters from Accenture/Deloitte looking for graduates of their online program with more work experience. UNC's online MBA actually has a management consulting concentration, as well as a development program specific for consulting (they call it STAR), although I still have to do some searching for information about recruiting.