BSBA, TESC, Options moving forward?

So I've finished all my degree requirements to be granted a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration at TESC. But at this point, I question whether it's worth it to go through with the "graduation process."

After speaking with my colleagues who are alumni of top tier undergrad and grad school programs, I've been thinking about my best options going forward. I'm already unusual in that I only recently finished up my undergraduate studies.

My question to the board is, are there any "better" undergrad programs that will allow me to transfer in the majority of my credits (Currently I have 120+ business adminstration based credits ) to their program and get a degree with minimal coursework through their univeristy? I just can't let go of the fact that TESC is not a B&M school and in my conversative workplace (where I intend to remain for many years,) all of this DL stuff is frowned upon. I've found a number of programs that accept 75 transfer credits. But with 75 transferred in, I'd still be left with 45 or so to make up via traditional classwork, which is time I don't have.

I know this is a long shot and I'll probably end up filing a graduation petition with TESC but it's worth a shot.
I'm hoping to go to a top tier MBA program and realize that TESC will be a huge constraint in attempting to gain admission to an Ivy, but such is life.

Any thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

Why did you start with TESC in the first place knowing how they feel about DL at your place of employment? Honestly, why do you care?

Would your friends and colleagues accept a degree from George Washington University knowing it was earned via DL? GWU is a top tier university, no? What is the difference?

I hope you know that you did NOT get a substandard education from TESC. So why hide it or be ashamed of it? (if you are, please don’t be-)

Suppose you transfer some of your credits to another college tying to cover the DL aspect of your education. Then let us suppose the college is in another state. That alone screams Distance Education.
The only way out of this is situation is to transfer your credits to a local college or university and "sit" for the rest of the credits to graduate from there. But WHY waste your time when you have already completed your degree???

Graduate with TESC, then enroll in a masters program at a university that "you feel" will be better received at work.

Congrats on finishing your degree, and good luck!!

I'm hoping to go to a top tier MBA program and realize that TESC will be a huge constraint in attempting to gain admission to an Ivy, but such is life.
I do not believe this statement is entirely accurate. I hope some other members will chime in on that statement.

 

The thing that makes the Big Three unique is that they are the only RA colleges that will do what you're asking -- transfer 100% of a degree. The generally accepted standard is no more than 75% transferred in. This means that you'll have essentially a full year minimum to completion anywhere you go.

Very often, getting into a top tier grad school has very little to do with where you got your undergrad (that's just a box to check) but in how well you perform (undergrad GPA and prep, exam scores, work history, honors, etc.) and what you have to offer that school. Each of the Big Three have placed students in top grad programs - DL isn't a new and scary prospect to these programs any longer.

Now, the fact that TESC isn't a B&M, does that make them lower in your mind than a tier-4 B&M undergrad 'in-the-seat'? I certainly hope not.

That's like asking a Ford dealer what he thinks of a Chevy, of course he thinks Ford rocks. Reality is that DL is here and it's growing very fast. Many of those elitists are getting concerned that we lowly DL proponents might just take over...

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People who will only be happy with a Harvard, Yale, Oxford, or Cambridge diploma should not undertake study anywhere else. They'll never be happy with their 'lower' credential.

 

recruiting -
I did not realize how hard it would be in discussion, on my resume and in other situations to explain the Thomas Edison situation. I've yet to find a comfortable way to make my education seem similar to those of my peers. If I had my wits about me at a younger age I would likely have ended up at one of the top tier programs, but I didn't so now I'm trying to find out the best way to deal with things moving forward.

In terms of a Masters program, that's a major sticking point. I want to go to one of the "top 10" MBA programs and all of them require a GPA from my undergrad. Unfortunately for me, approximately 90% of my credits are through testing which leaves me without a GPA from TESC. This puts me in a tough situation that I'd love to work my way out of. One way that I thought about accomplishing this, was to enroll somewhere else and do minimal coursework. I'm really not criticizing the DL programs and the learning I"ve completed, but moreso attempting to figure out a way to work the "old world" systems that are in place.

Thanks though, for the comments and advice.

CoachTurner -

I highly dispute what you say about getting into a top tier grad school being "just a box to check." I've spoken with numerous admissions officers at many different top tier MBA programs. All of them stressed the fact that undergrad (location and performance) is important, along with GMAT, work experience and a few others.

While I don't doubt that the "Big 3" have placed students into top tier graduate programs, I'm pretty sure that the TESC degree is something akin to shooting myself in the foot before a race. I theoretically have a chance (technically I've fulfilled the requirement of a 4 year bachelors,) but I've knowingly increased the odds of my failure (my competition went to top tier undergrad programs.) I have heard of a student getting into a top tier program and that was Columbia Law School. I don't know much about the story of this student (I read it in the TESC magazine.) If you know of others and possibly some advice about how to accomplish something similar then I'm very interested.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

On a related note, maybe I could complete a masters program via DL that's related to my field (finance.) This might prove my dedication to learning and improve my odds at a top tier MBA.

Any thoughts or ideas about where to find DL Masters programs geared towards the finance aspect of business?

 

finguy,

First, a disclaimer: I hold a TESC degree.

Why don't you re-read Fortunato's post to your original thread last year. He pragmatically addresses your plans for an Ivy League MBA upon a DL bachelor and I believe his advice stands.


Good luck,
Mark

 

Unless your undergrad GPA or test (GMAT, MAT, GRE) performance is poor -- I think you underestimate the value of your alma mater and DL in general. I think you particularly over-value the undergrad source (unless it is very highly placed) when performance and experience are valid.

If your undergrad GPA and/or test performance is poor -- then it wouldn't matter where you got your degree from, you're hosed at the top 10.

You do understand that most of those top 10 MBA programs like to see applicants with relative work experience and they expect that experience to have come after the undergrad education? You may have a few more tickets to punch to be competitive. Depends on your background.

I don't understand why 90% testing leaves you without a GPA -- is this a TESC rule? If so then take a semester of classes somewhere that can provide you with some grades. It's not "working the old world..."; that's a common method.

My advice to getting in a top tier -- if that is your ultimate goal -- is to simply put together your package and apply.

Based on your concerns (and lack of faith) with your DL undergrad, I can't see that you're going to be very happy having earned a DL MA/MS. It might just be a terrible waste of money and time for you.

Seeing your aversion to holding a DL degree, you'd likely be happier with a traditional program. You wouldn't go to a seafood house and then complain that they serve seafood there...

 

Finguy,

I think your problem might not lie with TESC and its acceptability at a top-tier MBA program, but rather with your own insecurity regarding your co-workers' pedigrees.

SNAP OUT OF IT.

Seriously. If you, with no college degree, are succeeding at the same job as the ivy league elites, then they are the ones who should be insecure, not you. You have been able to kick open doors and achieve what you want so far, and the fact that you earned a non-traditional undergrad degree should be just another step towards kicking open the next door.

That being said, let me address some of the points that have been made in this thread so far.

1. Having a TESC degree is not a constraint on your chances of admission to a top-tier MBA. Not having a degree at all is a constraint on your chances - it constrains them to zero. Having a degree, any degree at all, improves them.

2. Top Tier MBA != Ivy League. I made this point in an earlier response to you, and as someone who works in finance and aspires to an MBA, you really should already know this. You have a fascination with the Ivy League, but realistically, there are only two MBA programs that are both top-tier finance schools and Ivy League - Wharton and Columbia (Harvard is known for its excellent general management program, not as an outstanding breeding ground for quant jocks). If you're really serious about your education, you should also be considering several other programs (the University of Chicago and Stanford GSB come to mind immediately, but there are others). Besides, most people (especially the community of people who have and/or would be impressed by an "Ivy League pedigree") consider the "Ivy League pedigree" to apply only to undergrad alumni.

3. I'd take issue with CoachTurner's assertion that it is a hard and fast rule that MBA programs expect work experience to come after the undergrad degree. In my experience, the quality of your work experience and a clear history of advancement is more important than its sequencing relative to to your degree. I've said this many times on this board - MBA programs evaluate each applicant on his or her total application - a weakness in one area of the application can be offset by exceptional strength in another. I got into Fuqua less than six months after finishing my undergrad degree, while one of my classmates actually finished his degree in May and was still able to begin the program with us less than two months later.

4. Re: Earning a DL masters degree to improve your chances at a top-tier program. I don't have any idea how old you are, but the average full-time MBA student is between 26 and 27 years old at the time of enrollment. Obviously, schools do not advertise any sort of age discrimination, but you can browse the Business Week MBA forums and learn that it's relatively well-accepted that full-time MBA applicants have expiration dates. The two to three years it will take to earn a masters may negatively impact your chances of admission because it may age you out of the program. This does not apply to executive programs, by the way, since they generally accept a much wider range of applicants age-wise.

5. The GPA thing can be dealt with. Remember, you're applying as a person, not as a collection of numbers. But you might want to check to be sure that TESC can't calculate a GPA. If it turns out they can't or won't, then CALL the admissions department at the schools you want to apply to, and talk to them about your situation. You will find them surprisingly helpful, and you need to talk to them anyway.

6. You mentioned in your earlier post that you want to remain with your current employer. If that's still the case, then see if your employer is willing to fully sponsor your education at an executive program. Most schools look very favorably on the fact that a company would be willing to make such a large investment in an employee (generally $50K+), and that goes a long way in the admissions process. If you're in the same city as one of the top-tier programs, then a part-time program might meet your goals as well as a full-time one. The point I'm trying to make here is that there is more than one path to a top tier MBA. At Fuqua, for example, there are 4 distinct MBA programs that all award the same degree at the end.

7. If you do try your hardest, and don't get into a top-tier program, don't spend your time kicking yourself for earning a TESC degree. Instead, get ready to begin the MBA program at one of your safety schools. If you don't have a safety school, get one. Preferably several. MBA schools are competitive - refer back to my earlier response to you.

8. Finally, quit procrastinating. Ultimately, the reason for your insecurity is fear of failure. But you'll never get into the MBA program you didn't apply to. You have an advantage that I didn't have as a full time MBA applicant - you're able to start well in advance of the first round deadlines. Get your applications in early, while there are plenty of slots available and schools are more willing to take a flier on a non-traditional student. Here's a free application hint from someone who learned the hard way: You're going to be a lot better MBA applicant when you're completing your sixth application than you are when you're completing your first. So do your safety school applications first (treat them as seriously as you would Wharton or Columbia, and make sure your recommenders do the same) and do your dream school applications after you've been able to practice writing application essays, perfect your resume, and get that 700+ on the GMAT.

I know this message is long, and I apologize if my tone seems rude. But I get really tired of people who seem to think that earning a DL degree is some sort of scarlet letter that will keep you out of the best grad schools and ensure that you'll have a substandard job. In my experience, that simply hasn't been the case.

Good luck with your applications!

--Fortunato

 

Seriously. If you, with no college degree, are succeeding at the same job as the ivy league elites, then they are the ones who should be insecure, not you WELL SAID Fortunato!!

If I had my wits about me at a younger age I would likely have ended up at one of the top tier programs, but I didn't so now I'm trying to find out the best way to deal with things moving forward. I believe that is something we can all relate with here in the DL world. The thing is you have finished your BA/BS. Check into George Washington University, Steve Forrester is attending their grad program.

My friend, you have everything you need at your finger tips, ask here and get the key to that stobborn lock and open the next door.

Drive on, life is too short to agonize over the things that clearly do not matter.

Good luck!

 

Thanks for chiming in on that one Steve!

 

London School of Economics

I heard London School of Economics has a flier executive MBA type programs working with several other schools...

However it is a very costly program .....


and they have a good reputation in the international buisness world ......

 

Re: London School of Economics

I think you're thinking about the partnership between the London Business School and Columbia University on their "EMBA Global" program. As far as I know, LSE does not run an MBA program, although there are other schools in the University of London that do.

You're right - it is very expensive, at $120K (not including travel!) for the entire program. But I would imagine the fact that you're inserting yourself into the alumni network of not just one, but two top MBA programs creates a lot of value for people who choose to make the investment in themselves (or have their companies pay for it...).

 

Re: Re: London School of Economics

now here is the one that i was thinking of :

http://www.triumemba.org/


London school of economics , NYU Stern , and HEC school of Mgmt in Paris .....

average age is 40 ...and there are strict restrictions on the applicant being in mgmt for 5 years and 10 years in buisness....

they encourage employee sponsorship ....you can read it at the website ....its a global executive type mba....


now i am 35 .....so you can count me out of the program but someone here with more experience in office politics of the corporate world........this may be the answer for great promotions in multinational companies.......i dont know .....


but this one is also expensive as the one mentioned above with columbia .....

 

consider ur -self lucky with

to the person who posted on their thoughts recieving a bachelors from Thomas Edison .....

you should feel proud of it and refrain from the ignorance of your workplace peers....

thomas edison is an accredited school ......


and it has helped many people .......

so dont take for granted on recieving a degree that would have make you sacrifice alot of time ........

as a matter of fact , many people had gone to those big name schools like harvard and yale with excelsior degrees.....

okay , take the GMAT ..... after you recieve your degree...and start applying .....and better save some bigger bucks ...

 

Re: Re: Re: London School of Economics

I stand corrected on the LSE thing, obviously. I am kinda suspicious of how this program would be viewed by employers - the three schools involved are prestigious, but not necessarily on top of the heap in the business school world, and the fact that you're issued a joint degree pretty much guarantees you're going to have something to discuss in the interview:

HIRING MANAGER: Now, you have degrees from Stern, the LSE, and HEC Paris, right?

INTERVIEWEE: No, I have just one degree. It's from all three schools though.

HIRING MANAGER: Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Of course, given the relatively strict admission criteria and high program cost, this may not be an issue - the people who will attend this program are probably fast-trackers who are pretty much going to be lifers in the company they're with.

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: London School of Economics

yea , i know ..... its probably for people who work with multinational firms that have been their many years...

but recieving 3 degree citations from 3 sources pins several bronze, silver, and a purple hearts for the traveling .....