Is parttime MBA useless (not beneficial)?

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: Nightfall

IMHO, and MBA is best if you have experience to go with it. Sure, there are students who just study for their MBA right after they get their undergrad degree. Sure, they succeed. The working professionals who have 10 years of experience and get their MBA later in life really have good things happen to them. They can make a move into management. Some people use the MBA as a springboard into a new field. Some people use it to augment their resume. If you have an MBA and the next candidate has a B.A., and all other things equal, the guy with the MBA will get the job 99% of the time.

I am getting my MBA for a couple reasons.

1. To augment my resume. I want to be able to go into management down the road or be able to take another job if something happens in IT. I am a good network admin with some good certifications, but nothing beats having a little more education to back up your experience with.

2. To be able to teach down the road. Sure, I can't teach at a top 25 school, but I can at a Junior college level and some private universities. When I hit 60, teaching is what I see myself doing and I can't do it with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems.

:thumbsup:

 

[zinfamous]

I would say no MBA is "useless." In terms of education, it's completely worthless; but it can get you a shit-load of $$$. So it depends on what matters to you.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles
I am in the process of studying for the GMAT and applying to full-time MBA programs, and from the research I have done thus far I would say most of the information in this thread is massively incorrect. Again, I have not gone thru business school so I want that to be clear, however my findings are totally different than the vast amount of postings here.

I have taken the GMAT, am in a JD/MBA program, and have interviewed with numerous part time and full time MBA programs and have many former colleagues and friends who have MBA's.

The GMAT was a tough test when I took it. I scored a 700 on it and was pretty excited. That was after 3 months of studying. I could have went to a Michigan or Michigan State, but I opted to go somewhere local because I didn't want to drive an hour just to go to class in the winter.

It can be pretty tricky as it is quite different from SAT/ACT. However, I am glad I took it before the LSAT as that proved similar but MUCH harder.

I did pretty well on my ACT and SAT in high school. I never took the LSAT so I don't know how it is. All I do know is in order for me to get into an accredited college, I had to score at least a 600 on the GMAT. If I wanted to get into a really prestigious college I had to get a 750 or higher. Since there are no prestigious colleges in my area and driving 1 hour one way just to go to one was out of the question, I set my sights on a local accredited university. I feel I made the best decision as all of them were about the same in terms of respect.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: Nightfall

IMHO, and MBA is best if you have experience to go with it. Sure, there are students who just study for their MBA right after they get their undergrad degree. Sure, they succeed. The working professionals who have 10 years of experience and get their MBA later in life really have good things happen to them. They can make a move into management. Some people use the MBA as a springboard into a new field. Some people use it to augment their resume. If you have an MBA and the next candidate has a B.A., and all other things equal, the guy with the MBA will get the job 99% of the time.

I am getting my MBA for a couple reasons.

1. To augment my resume. I want to be able to go into management down the road or be able to take another job if something happens in IT. I am a good network admin with some good certifications, but nothing beats having a little more education to back up your experience with.

2. To be able to teach down the road. Sure, I can't teach at a top 25 school, but I can at a Junior college level and some private universities. When I hit 60, teaching is what I see myself doing and I can't do it with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems.

:thumbsup:

yup. going from school to school = dumb.

ESP. if you're in this business thing. You don't really need any education, at least not the thin idea of it that you would get in undergrad, to succeed in business. The more time you spend in school = less time gaining experience, which is far more important.

Get yourself out there first, figure out where you belong, then you'll be far more focused on how to make the next level of school work for you.

MBA alone is garbage.

Real degree + experience + MBA = Bank.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles
I am in the process of studying for the GMAT and applying to full-time MBA programs, and from the research I have done thus far I would say most of the information in this thread is massively incorrect. Again, I have not gone thru business school so I want that to be clear, however my findings are totally different than the vast amount of postings here.

I have taken the GMAT, am in a JD/MBA program, and have interviewed with numerous part time and full time MBA programs and have many former colleagues and friends who have MBA's.

That's nice. I have been working professionally for ten years now. In the course of my career I have meet a few people with MBAs. As such in my professional work experience, I think some of the information in this thread is not entirely accurate. To be fair, though, my experiences could be ancedotal.

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

Correct, the majority of MBA programs (full and part-time) require work experience. They do make exceptions based on grades and undergrad. I found being able to add input from one's work experience into class discussion to be extremely valuable.

But like I mentioned earlier, you'll as you go beyond the first year classes, your classed will be mixed with full and part-time students.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
I would say no MBA is "useless." In terms of education, it's completely worthless; but it can get you a shit-load of $$$. So it depends on what matters to you.

I wouldn't say that. People with an MBA do make more in their lifetimes than someone with a Bachleors. Its not like MAD MONEY though. Especially since my MBA will cost me over $25k to get it in 3 years. It will take me more than 2-3 years to make back that difference and thats if I go out and try to find a higher paying job right away.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles
I am in the process of studying for the GMAT and applying to full-time MBA programs, and from the research I have done thus far I would say most of the information in this thread is massively incorrect. Again, I have not gone thru business school so I want that to be clear, however my findings are totally different than the vast amount of postings here.

I have taken the GMAT, am in a JD/MBA program, and have interviewed with numerous part time and full time MBA programs and have many former colleagues and friends who have MBA's.

That's nice. I have been working professionally for ten years now. In the course of my career I have meet a few people with MBAs. As such in my professional work experience, I think some of the information in this thread is not entirely accurate. To be fair, though, my experiences could be ancedotal.

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

Correct, the majority of MBA programs (full and part-time) require work experience. They do make exceptions based on grades and undergrad. I found being able to add input from one's work experience into class discussion to be extremely valuable.

But like I mentioned earlier, you'll as you go beyond the first year classes, your classed will be mixed with full and part-time students.

So basically work experiences highly augments your application but doesn't rule you out. It would be dumb for a bschool to deny a highly competitive college grad and risk losing him/her to a competing school

 

[Finalnight]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

At most B-schools its broken down like this:

Full-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum with your (forgetting the word) groups (small groups that you do all projects/classes with)

Summer:
Internship

Year 2:
Elective classes, but primary focus on networking and interviewing (its a fluff year, similar to 3L in law school and M4 in med school)

Part-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum
Year 2:
Core ciriculum/electives
Year 3:
electives

Full time is generally to get your first "higher level" job. Part time is to move to the next big step in your company (why many of them pay for it) or such a position in another company. Could you name a few full time mba programs that require work experience, outside of the top 5 or so?

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles
I am in the process of studying for the GMAT and applying to full-time MBA programs, and from the research I have done thus far I would say most of the information in this thread is massively incorrect. Again, I have not gone thru business school so I want that to be clear, however my findings are totally different than the vast amount of postings here.

I have taken the GMAT, am in a JD/MBA program, and have interviewed with numerous part time and full time MBA programs and have many former colleagues and friends who have MBA's.

That's nice. I have been working professionally for ten years now. In the course of my career I have meet a few people with MBAs. As such in my professional work experience, I think some of the information in this thread is not entirely accurate. To be fair, though, my experiences could be ancedotal.

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

Correct, the majority of MBA programs (full and part-time) require work experience. They do make exceptions based on grades and undergrad. I found being able to add input from one's work experience into class discussion to be extremely valuable.

But like I mentioned earlier, you'll as you go beyond the first year classes, your classed will be mixed with full and part-time students.

In my part time class this semester, I am in a Management class. This class is very challenging as we are constantly evaluating our management skills and evaluating other people and their skills. We do case studies on people and leadership assessments on figures. If I was an undergrad student, I wouldn't know how to evaluate someone in business today. Everyone in this class is in a full time job right now. One of is is a CFO. We have various sales and business people from all over the spectrum. Its great to bounce ideas off these people because they have so much experience just like I do in business.

In short, I am glad I waited to get my MBA. The only tough part is that I have to sacrifice one night a week for class and then hours a week for homework, reading, and writing papers. Still, it will pay off in about 3 years when I graduate. Its not easy though and it shouldn't be.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

At most B-schools its broken down like this:

Full-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum with your (forgetting the word) groups (small groups that you do all projects/classes with)

Summer:
Internship

Year 2:
Elective classes, but primary focus on networking and interviewing (its a fluff year, similar to 3L in law school and M4 in med school)

Part-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum
Year 2:
Core ciriculum/electives
Year 3:
electives

Full time is generally to get your first "higher level" job. Part time is to move to the next big step in your company (why many of them pay for it) or such a position in another company. Could you name a few full time mba programs that require work experience, outside of the top 5 or so?

Not sure why you think this. I found the first year to be fluff. The second year is when you take the more difficult classes and specialize.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles
I am in the process of studying for the GMAT and applying to full-time MBA programs, and from the research I have done thus far I would say most of the information in this thread is massively incorrect. Again, I have not gone thru business school so I want that to be clear, however my findings are totally different than the vast amount of postings here.

I have taken the GMAT, am in a JD/MBA program, and have interviewed with numerous part time and full time MBA programs and have many former colleagues and friends who have MBA's.

That's nice. I have been working professionally for ten years now. In the course of my career I have meet a few people with MBAs. As such in my professional work experience, I think some of the information in this thread is not entirely accurate. To be fair, though, my experiences could be ancedotal.

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

Correct, the majority of MBA programs (full and part-time) require work experience. They do make exceptions based on grades and undergrad. I found being able to add input from one's work experience into class discussion to be extremely valuable.

But like I mentioned earlier, you'll as you go beyond the first year classes, your classed will be mixed with full and part-time students.

So basically work experiences highly augments your application but doesn't rule you out. It would be dumb for a bschool to deny a highly competitive college grad and risk losing him/her to a competing school

B schools deny applicants all the time based on their GMAT scores alone. I had to get a 600 or above just to get into a non top tier school like Grand Valley or Davenport. Western Michigan required a 650 and Michigan State required a 750. The work experience is another hurdle. Some required 3-5 years experience while most of the top schools required a little more.

The GMAT is the key though. How well you do on that test will dictate where you can go.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Finalnight


Fixed. Unless its like a top 5 mba program, part time is always for professionals, full time is for kids to simulate work experience straight out of college.

I think that is somewhat incorrect. to say. Many of the 'good' full time programs have a requirement of work experience and as such are not intended for kids out of college.

At most B-schools its broken down like this:

Full-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum with your (forgetting the word) groups (small groups that you do all projects/classes with)

Summer:
Internship

Year 2:
Elective classes, but primary focus on networking and interviewing (its a fluff year, similar to 3L in law school and M4 in med school)

Part-time:
Year 1:
Core ciriculum
Year 2:
Core ciriculum/electives
Year 3:
electives

Full time is generally to get your first "higher level" job. Part time is to move to the next big step in your company (why many of them pay for it) or such a position in another company. Could you name a few full time mba programs that require work experience, outside of the top 5 or so?

Not sure why you think this. I found the first year to be fluff. The second year is when you take the more difficult classes and specialize.

I will be starting on my core classes next semester. I had to take 2 prerequisites just to get into the program and so far I am doing very well in them.

My first class after I finish this last prerequisite is Finance 620. Ouch. I would prefer a "fluff" class.

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Full time is generally to get your first "higher level" job. Part time is to move to the next big step in your company (why many of them pay for it) or such a position in another company. Could you name a few full time mba programs that require work experience, outside of the top 5 or so?

So far I have been looking at University of Texas, Carnegie Mellon, and Penn State. Texas says they strongly prefer candidates with work experience - interpret that yourself. Average age at Penn State is 28 (and I am sure they had a requirement, but I am not in a mood to find it now) anyhow at that age one can assume they are looking for experience. They also want letters of reference from employers - hard to do that if you are not employed. Ditto that at CMU.

I don't think they have mandatory requirements so as to allow those few very bright over-achievers from undergrad straight into their program. However I think when a program "strongly" feels one way or another on a particular point, then that is effectively a "must" for all intents and purposes.

 

[Finalnight]

I checked a few FT programs in case anything had changed since I was in the application process:

NYU: no post-grad work exp req
Columbia: nada
Berkeley: nada
UCLA: nada
Michigan: nada
Yale: nada
Cornell: nada

Many of these specifically say they admit students w/o full time work experience.

When you say "requirement", that means "requirement", not really really should. You are the one who told me I was incorrect and said these "requirements" existed.

Anyway, I stick by my belief that full time mba's are generally not worth it if you have FT work experience unless its a top 5 school, especially in this economy.

 

[Nightfall]

Originally posted by: Finalnight
I checked a few FT programs in case anything had changed since I was in the application process:

NYU: no post-grad work exp req
Columbia: nada
Berkeley: nada
UCLA: nada
Michigan: nada
Yale: nada
Cornell: nada

Many of these specifically say they admit students w/o full time work experience.

When you say "requirement", that means "requirement", not really really should. You are the one who told me I was incorrect and said these "requirements" existed.

Anyway, I stick by my belief that full time mba's are generally not worth it if you have FT work experience unless its a top 5 school, especially in this economy.

It is a mistake to believe that.

An MBA adds onto that experience. Think of it this way. If you have 10 years experience, a Bachelors degree, and certifications in your field compared to someone with 10 years experience, an MBA, and certifications....its pretty clear who someone will hire. An MBA is not a requirement at all. Its just a proven fact that you will make more money with one in your lifetime than with a Bachelors degree.

You are right, some schools don't have a requirement for an MBA. Others do have a requirement. Just depends on the school and the program. To think that having work experience is better than having an MBA is incorrect. Heck, in this economy, you should be looking to augment your resume and if you can get an MBA, you will have a step above others.

 

[RKS]

My wife has an part-time MBA from a good local school that is usually within the top 25. I used to help her with some of her homework. Nothing she did seemed difficult. The hardest part might have been dealing with other Type A personalities.

To those that have taken both the GMAT and LSAT, how would you compare them on a scale from 1-10 (10 being most difficult)?

 

[LegendKiller]

Originally posted by: JMapleton
MBA is worthless unless it's from a top 25 school and it's full time.

lol. Common misconception.

I worked at a large credit card company, it was chocked full of Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Duke, Wharton...etc MBAs. Not one of them could manage worth shit. Few of them were actual finance professionals. Most were consultant jackasses.

At my current job I have 3 Columbia MBAs around. All three are social rejects with a severe lacking in good finance skills.

Sure, top MBA programs can have good students. However, it isn't the rule and a lot of people are realizing that.

I have an MBA from a 3rd tier school and I work in investment banking at one of the biggest banks in the world.

 

[Finalnight]

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Finalnight
I checked a few FT programs in case anything had changed since I was in the application process:

NYU: no post-grad work exp req
Columbia: nada
Berkeley: nada
UCLA: nada
Michigan: nada
Yale: nada
Cornell: nada

Many of these specifically say they admit students w/o full time work experience.

When you say "requirement", that means "requirement", not really really should. You are the one who told me I was incorrect and said these "requirements" existed.

Anyway, I stick by my belief that full time mba's are generally not worth it if you have FT work experience unless its a top 5 school, especially in this economy.

It is a mistake to believe that.

An MBA adds onto that experience. Think of it this way. If you have 10 years experience, a Bachelors degree, and certifications in your field compared to someone with 10 years experience, an MBA, and certifications....its pretty clear who someone will hire. An MBA is not a requirement at all. Its just a proven fact that you will make more money with one in your lifetime than with a Bachelors degree.

You are right, some schools don't have a requirement for an MBA. Others do have a requirement. Just depends on the school and the program. To think that having work experience is better than having an MBA is incorrect. Heck, in this economy, you should be looking to augment your resume and if you can get an MBA, you will have a step above others.

You should reread the conversation between me and baubles, you took my reply out of context.

He argued that FT MBA programs are not primarily for people straight out of college and they required work experience. I argued that PT MBA programs are better and are for people with work experience. Find me one place where I wrote that an MBA isn't worth it. If you had read more carefully you would have seen where I mentioned I am a MBA STUDENT.

Let me cliff it for you:

FT MBA: Bad unless fresh out of college
PT MBA: Good

 

[Finalnight]

Originally posted by: RKS
My wife has an part-time MBA from a good local school that is usually within the top 25. I used to help her with some of her homework. Nothing she did seemed difficult. The hardest part might have been dealing with other Type A personalities.

To those that have taken both the GMAT and LSAT, how would you compare them on a scale from 1-10 (10 being most difficult)?

GMAT: 6
LSAT: 9

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: JMapleton
MBA is worthless unless it's from a top 25 school and it's full time.

Very wrong on the latter. Night MBA classes are identical to day ones, ask me how I know.

No-name MBAs can be useful locally (states schools etc.), but won't help you if you're shooting for out of state or high end jobs. If you want to stay in the area, you might as well go to the best MBA program locally, if you wanna go to wall street or consulting, better shoot for top 10.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Finalnight
Let me cliff it for you:

FT MBA: Bad unless fresh out of college
PT MBA: Good

So, going to Harvard or MIT would be bad for someone that's been an engineer for ten years and now wants to get a MBA and change career paths?

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

FT MBA: Bad unless fresh out of college
PT MBA: Good

I haven't met a single person fresh out of school in the MBA program at Michigan. Average age for top 10 MBAs is 28-30.

The main reason why people do it full time is because it's very time consuming - lot's of team assignment, meetings and crap like that. Add in all the meet and greets with recruiters and you have no time for work.

 

[Aimster]

Whatever you do.. do not get your MBA from Strayer, University of Phoenix, Devry, etc .
Those schools all you do is open the door and sign up for classes. It's like taking community college courses.

Go to a real UNIVERSITY

 

[Babbles]

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Finalnight
I checked a few FT programs in case anything had changed since I was in the application process:

NYU: no post-grad work exp req
Columbia: nada
Berkeley: nada
UCLA: nada
Michigan: nada
Yale: nada
Cornell: nada

Many of these specifically say they admit students w/o full time work experience.

When you say "requirement", that means "requirement", not really really should. You are the one who told me I was incorrect and said these "requirements" existed.

Anyway, I stick by my belief that full time mba's are generally not worth it if you have FT work experience unless its a top 5 school, especially in this economy.

It is a mistake to believe that.

An MBA adds onto that experience. Think of it this way. If you have 10 years experience, a Bachelors degree, and certifications in your field compared to someone with 10 years experience, an MBA, and certifications....its pretty clear who someone will hire. An MBA is not a requirement at all. Its just a proven fact that you will make more money with one in your lifetime than with a Bachelors degree.

You are right, some schools don't have a requirement for an MBA. Others do have a requirement. Just depends on the school and the program. To think that having work experience is better than having an MBA is incorrect. Heck, in this economy, you should be looking to augment your resume and if you can get an MBA, you will have a step above others.

You should reread the conversation between me and baubles, you took my reply out of context.

He argued that FT MBA programs are not primarily for people straight out of college and they required work experience. I argued that PT MBA programs are better and are for people with work experience. Find me one place where I wrote that an MBA isn't worth it. If you had read more carefully you would have seen where I mentioned I am a MBA STUDENT.

Let me cliff it for you:

FT MBA: Bad unless fresh out of college
PT MBA: Good

I feel that you are so incredibly wrong that it is not even worthwhile to debate this with you.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: Babbles

Originally posted by: Finalnight

Originally posted by: Nightfall

Originally posted by: Finalnight
I checked a few FT programs in case anything had changed since I was in the application process:

NYU: no post-grad work exp req
Columbia: nada
Berkeley: nada
UCLA: nada
Michigan: nada
Yale: nada
Cornell: nada

Many of these specifically say they admit students w/o full time work experience.

When you say "requirement", that means "requirement", not really really should. You are the one who told me I was incorrect and said these "requirements" existed.

Anyway, I stick by my belief that full time mba's are generally not worth it if you have FT work experience unless its a top 5 school, especially in this economy.

It is a mistake to believe that.

An MBA adds onto that experience. Think of it this way. If you have 10 years experience, a Bachelors degree, and certifications in your field compared to someone with 10 years experience, an MBA, and certifications....its pretty clear who someone will hire. An MBA is not a requirement at all. Its just a proven fact that you will make more money with one in your lifetime than with a Bachelors degree.

You are right, some schools don't have a requirement for an MBA. Others do have a requirement. Just depends on the school and the program. To think that having work experience is better than having an MBA is incorrect. Heck, in this economy, you should be looking to augment your resume and if you can get an MBA, you will have a step above others.

You should reread the conversation between me and baubles, you took my reply out of context.

He argued that FT MBA programs are not primarily for people straight out of college and they required work experience. I argued that PT MBA programs are better and are for people with work experience. Find me one place where I wrote that an MBA isn't worth it. If you had read more carefully you would have seen where I mentioned I am a MBA STUDENT.

Let me cliff it for you:

FT MBA: Bad unless fresh out of college
PT MBA: Good

I feel that you are so incredibly wrong that it is not even worthwhile to debate this with you.

Yeah, it's kind of funny when you look at the average age of entering students into any of these programs.