Business school admissions professionals must determine whether you have the ability to succeed both academically and professionally.There's a lot you can do to show them what a good candidate you are, but that is always easiest if you are clear in your knowledge of your own abilities and goals and how they fit in with the schools to which you apply.
Here's some advice for making sure you present yourself well as an MBA candidate:
Be honest. Admissions professionals are good at identifying when someone is just saying what they think the admissions committee wants to hear. Tell the truth about what you are looking to get out of the MBA degree, what your goals and aspirations are, what you are passionate about, and why you are interested in a given school and program.
Be realistic. It's one thing to say you want to be a great chef, but that may not be immediately attainable if you have never cooked anything in your life. Make sure that your career goals are based on an accurate assessment of your experience and skills (see Self-Assessment: The Real Edge). Also, make sure that your credentials match the typical admissions requirements of the schools to which you apply; with all the competition for seats in business school, you'll want to apply where you have a solid chance of being admitted.
Tell not only what you hope to gain but also what you want to contribute. Classmates are an important part of the MBA education. In fact, MBA grads say that the quality of their fellow students is an important part of their MBA experience. Show that you'll be a valuable member of the learning community.
Know about the school and program to which you are applying. In addition to talking in detail about yourself, you'll want to be able to show that you are familiar with the given school and why you are a good fit.
Pay attention to school culture and corporate culture. Part of being a good fit for a school has to do with the culture of the school—whether you will feel comfortable and be able to thrive in the learning community. A visit to campus will tell you more than anything about that aspect of fit; talking with former and current students can help, too. Cultural considerations shouldn't only factor into your school decisions; they should also affect the decisions you make about where to work. Some industries have unique cultures—companies in the tech sector, for instance, typically have a different culture from consulting firms and investment banks. There are cultural differences from company to company within one industry, as well. Know what kinds of cultures will be right for you. The CultureMatch report in the CareerLeader online assessment will help you determine the right cultures for you.
Go back to school at the right time. You will want to develop the right pre-MBA experience to aid your intended career switch or to help you further your current career with an MBA. Your post-MBA employment options will depend largely on your pre-MBA exposure and experience, so make sure that you have enough pre-MBA experience to help you take advantage of all the benefits the degree offers. Do research to find out what MBA employers expect and what MBA admissions committees factor into their considerations about candidates' employment outlook. If you don't feel you have enough work experience right now to benefit fully from an MBA, get some more career experience and apply later.(
Showing posts with label Two-Year MBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Two-Year MBA. Show all posts
Monday, February 18, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
Paying for Your MBA: Alternative ways to cut costs
Paying for Your MBA:Alternative ways to cut costs
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Alternative ways to cut costs
Before you take out a loan, put in the time to investigate every source of aid for which you may be eligible.
Payment plans
Check with the schools you're interested in to see if they offer payment arrangements to lessen out-of-pocket expenses. At some schools, you can divide tuition and other fees out over the course of a year rather than paying everything up front. If you have a steady source of income, such an alternative could be a godsend.
Tuition reimbursement
If you work while attending school, your employer may provide tuition assistance, so find out if you have this benefit. Make sure you’re clear on what’s covered and how your employer administers assistance. In most cases, you'll need to pay for your classes up front and then be refunded upon successful completion of your course work ("successful" is usually defined by maintaining a certain GPA, usually a B average or better). Every company has its own rules, however, so be sure to find out all the details before you apply.
If your company doesn't offer this benefit, you may want to make a persuasive argument to your boss for doing so —employers are always looking for ways to keep good employees. Be sure to explore any tax ramifications of accepting tuition reimbursement from your employer. In some cases, it may be taxed as income
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Alternative ways to cut costs
Before you take out a loan, put in the time to investigate every source of aid for which you may be eligible.
Payment plans
Check with the schools you're interested in to see if they offer payment arrangements to lessen out-of-pocket expenses. At some schools, you can divide tuition and other fees out over the course of a year rather than paying everything up front. If you have a steady source of income, such an alternative could be a godsend.
Tuition reimbursement
If you work while attending school, your employer may provide tuition assistance, so find out if you have this benefit. Make sure you’re clear on what’s covered and how your employer administers assistance. In most cases, you'll need to pay for your classes up front and then be refunded upon successful completion of your course work ("successful" is usually defined by maintaining a certain GPA, usually a B average or better). Every company has its own rules, however, so be sure to find out all the details before you apply.
If your company doesn't offer this benefit, you may want to make a persuasive argument to your boss for doing so —employers are always looking for ways to keep good employees. Be sure to explore any tax ramifications of accepting tuition reimbursement from your employer. In some cases, it may be taxed as income
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
Paying for Your MBA : Private and alternative financing
Paying for Your MBA:
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Private and alternative financing
Foundations, corporate sponsors, and individuals offer millions of dollars of aid every year through scholarships, grants, internships, and loans awarded either directly to you or to your school. Private sponsors establish their own application procedures and eligibility criteria which may have little or nothing to do with your financial situation. You’ll probably need to do a little work to uncover all of the private aid that you may be eligible to receive, and you’ll have to shop around for the loans that offer the best interest rates and terms of repayment — but the work you put into this process will be well worth the effort.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Private and alternative financing
Foundations, corporate sponsors, and individuals offer millions of dollars of aid every year through scholarships, grants, internships, and loans awarded either directly to you or to your school. Private sponsors establish their own application procedures and eligibility criteria which may have little or nothing to do with your financial situation. You’ll probably need to do a little work to uncover all of the private aid that you may be eligible to receive, and you’ll have to shop around for the loans that offer the best interest rates and terms of repayment — but the work you put into this process will be well worth the effort.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
Paying for Your MBA: Institutional resources
Paying for Your MBA: Financial Resources
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Institutional Resources
Some schools offer their own loan programs to help you with educational expenses. Your financial aid administrator can tell you what you'll need to do to apply for a loan from the school. You may also be eligible for a variety of school-sponsored scholarships and grants that may be awarded based on either need or merit.
Additionally, many graduate students use teaching assistantships to help pay all or part of the cost of their education — a gig that typically requires a commitment of about 20 hours per week. You should also check with your school to see if they offer any other on-campus employment opportunities that are not based on need or merit. Explore internship opportunities that are available at the school — a paid internship enables you to receive financial support while gaining work experience and, in some cases, academic credit.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Institutional Resources
Some schools offer their own loan programs to help you with educational expenses. Your financial aid administrator can tell you what you'll need to do to apply for a loan from the school. You may also be eligible for a variety of school-sponsored scholarships and grants that may be awarded based on either need or merit.
Additionally, many graduate students use teaching assistantships to help pay all or part of the cost of their education — a gig that typically requires a commitment of about 20 hours per week. You should also check with your school to see if they offer any other on-campus employment opportunities that are not based on need or merit. Explore internship opportunities that are available at the school — a paid internship enables you to receive financial support while gaining work experience and, in some cases, academic credit.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
Paying for an MBA : Veteran’s assistance
Paying for Your MBA: Financial Resources
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
There’s more to financial aid than the federal government, although it does offer some of the best loans and terms around. However, even the Fed can’t necessarily get you everything you need to get that MBA you’re after, so do a thorough job of checking out what is available to you. You might be surprised by what you find.
Veteran’s assistance
If you are a veteran and have completed at least one year of active service, Veterans Educational Benefits are available for graduate study. The amount of benefit for which you’re eligible depends on your length of military service, the number of dependents you have, and how many course credits you carry. For more information, check with the veterans' affairs offices at the schools to which you're applying or call the Veterans Affairs Department in Washington, D.C
Technorati Tags:
MBA, financial aid, scholarship, state aid, FAFSA
Friday, January 25, 2008
Waste of Money for Would-Be Entrepreneurs
Seventy percent of the small business owners who participated in the survey indicated that an MBA degree isn't a big factor in determining entrepreneurial success.
SurePayroll President Michael Alter says that the survey results are not surprising.
"That's the beauty of entrepreneurship," said Alter. "Anybody can go into business regardless of their education. A person's level of education is isn't a big determinant of success. The things that matter are having a good business plan, finding a niche, being passionate about what you do, and working hard and smart to achieve your business goals."
The entrepreneurs who were surveyed clearly agree that formal education is not an essential ingredient for entrepreneurial success. Only 44 percent said that formal education is very important in preparing entrepreneurs for success. 51 percent said that education is only somewhat important and 5 percent said that education is not important. In a ranking of entrepreneurial success factors, formal education came in last.
SurePayroll President Michael Alter says that the survey results are not surprising.
"That's the beauty of entrepreneurship," said Alter. "Anybody can go into business regardless of their education. A person's level of education is isn't a big determinant of success. The things that matter are having a good business plan, finding a niche, being passionate about what you do, and working hard and smart to achieve your business goals."
The entrepreneurs who were surveyed clearly agree that formal education is not an essential ingredient for entrepreneurial success. Only 44 percent said that formal education is very important in preparing entrepreneurs for success. 51 percent said that education is only somewhat important and 5 percent said that education is not important. In a ranking of entrepreneurial success factors, formal education came in last.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
MBA Will Put Your Career on the Fast Track
If you feel like your career isn't heading in the direction you'd like, or if you think it's time to change careers, you may want to start by looking into MBA programs. While on-the-job learning is great training and valuable background, many employers are looking for academic credentials for higher level jobs.Not only can an MBA lead to a more interesting, fulfilling career, but it can also substantially increase your income. According to PayScale.com, the median salary for individuals with an MBA degree is $78,000. That compares to a median salary of $57,000 for people with a Bachelor of Science degree, $51,000 for someone with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and $40,444 for someone with a high school diploma. Clearly, if you are shooting for a rewarding career with a hefty paycheck, an MBA is the way to go.But if you're already working a full-time job, raising a family, or taking care of other obligations, chances are you can't just put the brakes on your everyday life to go back to school fulltime. There's another way to get your degree -- online learning. With online learning, you can get the credentials you need to reach your career goals on a schedule that works for you.
eLearners is a company that provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs. Services at eLearners.com are free -- the site and its provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers. They point you to a wide variety of colleges, schools and companies, and try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.For instance, Walden University, is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.The University's academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. Walden's MBA program is results-oriented and designed to deliver an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.
An MBA isn't the only way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates.
eLearners is a company that provides a variety of services to help potential online and distance learners find out about and select the best courses, programs and degrees for their needs. Services at eLearners.com are free -- the site and its provisions are entirely supported by their education partners, sponsors and service providers. They point you to a wide variety of colleges, schools and companies, and try to give you enough information about online learning to narrow your choices and make an informed decision.For instance, Walden University, is an accredited graduate institution offering advanced degrees online to professionals who work to make a difference. Students can complete the program in less than two years, making it ideal for ambitious learners who wish to pursue an advanced degree without sacrificing career or family.The University's academic standards are high, the faculty is experienced and the curriculum is rigorous. Walden's MBA program is results-oriented and designed to deliver an understanding of leading-edge, 21st century management practices. The Walden distance learning approach optimizes relevance and depth of learning by letting students share experiences with peers here and abroad.
An MBA isn't the only way to advance your career and increase your pay. Choose from over 1,500 online degree programs and 6,000 professional certificates.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Schools use active approach to market MBA programs
When marketing their MBA programs, area colleges and universities take into consideration the competition from each other, and are constantly examining the effectiveness of their messages.
As an example of specialization, Stephen Mayer, MBA director for Niagara University, said many universities are differentiating themselves by offering advanced degrees in areas of focus that may include finance, international business, as well as programs in entrepreneurship, innovation.
Ethics and corporate governance, e-commerce and digital commerce are common focus areas.
"I see MBA programs being responsive in the communities at large to help them become competitive," Mayer said.
As an example of specialization, Stephen Mayer, MBA director for Niagara University, said many universities are differentiating themselves by offering advanced degrees in areas of focus that may include finance, international business, as well as programs in entrepreneurship, innovation.
Ethics and corporate governance, e-commerce and digital commerce are common focus areas.
"I see MBA programs being responsive in the communities at large to help them become competitive," Mayer said.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Online MBA Accreditation
The Most Important Consideration When Choosing an Online MBA Program
School accreditation is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an online MBA program. Proper accreditation could mean the difference between an online MBA degree that gets you a promotion and a degree that isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
Anyone can make up a “fake” accrediting agency, and many diploma mills will boast of accreditation from organizations that sound professional. However, not every accrediting agency gets respect in the real world. There are three types of accreditation agencies that are essential to consider when earning an MBA online: regional accreditation, professional accreditation, and distance learning accreditation.
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. If you want your online MBA to be recognized by future employers, you’ll want to make sure to enroll in a school that has regional accreditation. There are six regional accrediting agencies that grant this recognition. Although your MBA classes will be held online, the school itself should be accredited by one of the six agencies:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (info@msche.org) – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands New England Association of Colleges and Schools (kwillis@neasc.org) – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info@ncacihe.org) – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (northwest@boisestate.edu) – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (info@sacscasi.org) – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Western Association of Schools and Colleges (wascsr@wascsenior.org) – California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin
Professional Accreditation
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) grants accreditation to MBA and other business programs. AACSB is a well-established, respected accrediting agency that is trusted by many employers in the field of business.
Graduating from an online MBA program that is accredited by the AACSB may give your resume an extra boost. Some employers may be more likely to hire you because of your school’s accreditation. However, AACSB accreditation is not necessary. If your alma mater is regionally accredited, most employers will still be willing to hire you.
Distance Learning Accreditation
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is the largest accrediting agency to focus solely on distance learning colleges. The council is growing in respect and recognition; however its accreditation is still the least influential. If your online MBA program is accredited by the proper regional agency or by the AACSB, don’t worry about distance learning accreditation.
An online MBA degree that is only accredited by the DETC is better than a degree that has no accreditation at all. However, your DETC-accredited degree may not be fully recognized by other universities and future employers.
In a Nutshell
Accreditation can be confusing. As you search for the perfect online MBA program, here are the basics you’ll need to remember:
1. Regional accreditation is your best bet.
2. AACSB accreditation will make your online MBA stand out.
3. DETC accreditation may not be accepted everywhere.
4. Any other type of accreditation will not be as important as the three listed above.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, online MBA, MBA Accreditation, degree Accreditation
School accreditation is the most important factor to consider when deciding on an online MBA program. Proper accreditation could mean the difference between an online MBA degree that gets you a promotion and a degree that isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on.
Anyone can make up a “fake” accrediting agency, and many diploma mills will boast of accreditation from organizations that sound professional. However, not every accrediting agency gets respect in the real world. There are three types of accreditation agencies that are essential to consider when earning an MBA online: regional accreditation, professional accreditation, and distance learning accreditation.
Regional Accreditation
Regional accreditation is the most widely accepted type of accreditation. If you want your online MBA to be recognized by future employers, you’ll want to make sure to enroll in a school that has regional accreditation. There are six regional accrediting agencies that grant this recognition. Although your MBA classes will be held online, the school itself should be accredited by one of the six agencies:
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (info@msche.org) – Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands New England Association of Colleges and Schools (kwillis@neasc.org) – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (info@ncacihe.org) – Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming Northwest Association of Accredited Schools (northwest@boisestate.edu) – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (info@sacscasi.org) – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Western Association of Schools and Colleges (wascsr@wascsenior.org) – California, Hawaii, the Pacific Basin
Professional Accreditation
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) grants accreditation to MBA and other business programs. AACSB is a well-established, respected accrediting agency that is trusted by many employers in the field of business.
Graduating from an online MBA program that is accredited by the AACSB may give your resume an extra boost. Some employers may be more likely to hire you because of your school’s accreditation. However, AACSB accreditation is not necessary. If your alma mater is regionally accredited, most employers will still be willing to hire you.
Distance Learning Accreditation
The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is the largest accrediting agency to focus solely on distance learning colleges. The council is growing in respect and recognition; however its accreditation is still the least influential. If your online MBA program is accredited by the proper regional agency or by the AACSB, don’t worry about distance learning accreditation.
An online MBA degree that is only accredited by the DETC is better than a degree that has no accreditation at all. However, your DETC-accredited degree may not be fully recognized by other universities and future employers.
In a Nutshell
Accreditation can be confusing. As you search for the perfect online MBA program, here are the basics you’ll need to remember:
1. Regional accreditation is your best bet.
2. AACSB accreditation will make your online MBA stand out.
3. DETC accreditation may not be accepted everywhere.
4. Any other type of accreditation will not be as important as the three listed above.
Technorati Tags:
MBA, online MBA, MBA Accreditation, degree Accreditation
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Choosing an MBA Program
Two-Year MBA Programs:
Two-year MBA programs usually take two academic years to complete. Spread over four semesters, a two-year MBA is more suited for students who will not be working full time during the program. After completing the first year of core classes, students are allowed to customize the remaining year of course work according to their career goals.
One-Year MBA Programs:
Even though they are both full-time programs, one-year MBA programs are quite a bit different than their two-year counterparts. A one-year MBA program has very strict requirements for admission, both in academic training and work history. One-year MBA programs usually last between eleven and sixteen months.
Part-Time MBA Programs:
Part-time MBA programs were designed and are perfect for the working professional. Classes are usually scheduled in the evening, because most part-time MBA students work during the day. Part-time MBA programs usually take two to three years to complete, but may take up to five.
Executive MBA Programs:
Executive MBA (EMBA) programs are designed to meet the needs of upper level managers. Candidates should have at least five years work experience, because they are often judged on what they can bring to the program. Executive MBA programs are perfect for someone who is already a specialist in their field, but needs additional skills to climb the ladder of success.
Online MBA Programs:
Thanks to technology and the Internet, it is now possible to get your MBA degree online. Distance learning MBA programs are rapidly increasing in popularity. Many business schools have recognized this and now offer distance learning programs to MBA students.An online MBA program is more flexible than any other because you can customize your class schedule.
MBA Programs
Two-year MBA programs usually take two academic years to complete. Spread over four semesters, a two-year MBA is more suited for students who will not be working full time during the program. After completing the first year of core classes, students are allowed to customize the remaining year of course work according to their career goals.
One-Year MBA Programs:
Even though they are both full-time programs, one-year MBA programs are quite a bit different than their two-year counterparts. A one-year MBA program has very strict requirements for admission, both in academic training and work history. One-year MBA programs usually last between eleven and sixteen months.
Part-Time MBA Programs:
Part-time MBA programs were designed and are perfect for the working professional. Classes are usually scheduled in the evening, because most part-time MBA students work during the day. Part-time MBA programs usually take two to three years to complete, but may take up to five.
Executive MBA Programs:
Executive MBA (EMBA) programs are designed to meet the needs of upper level managers. Candidates should have at least five years work experience, because they are often judged on what they can bring to the program. Executive MBA programs are perfect for someone who is already a specialist in their field, but needs additional skills to climb the ladder of success.
Online MBA Programs:
Thanks to technology and the Internet, it is now possible to get your MBA degree online. Distance learning MBA programs are rapidly increasing in popularity. Many business schools have recognized this and now offer distance learning programs to MBA students.An online MBA program is more flexible than any other because you can customize your class schedule.
MBA Programs
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