Need to Decide on MBA Program

Hello forum:

I've been obsessively following this forum for over a year now, as I have been planning to go back for my MBA. I took the GMAT a couple weeks ago, finally, and everything is lining up for me to get this process rolling.

The problem is, though, I'm agonizing over which program(s) to apply for so I figure I'd get input from you kind folks.

Here's my background: BA in International Studies from University of Washington (high GPA) which led to a 14 year career in the video games industry (go figure). I've had experiences from team programmer to team leader, experience in start-ups and public companies. I'm looking at an MBA as being the catalyst to take me to a higher level within my industry or a similar one, or perhaps even pushing me into a completely different career direction (I'm getting to old for video games

Anyway, my current company subsidizes graduate studies to the tune of around $6k/year. I have a wife already in grad school and a big house remodel within the year, so money is tight, which really adds to my dillemma.

The programs I sent my GMAT to:
1) CSU-Dominguez Hills - affordable - subsidy alone could pay for it, but I worry about prestige in comparison to other B&M schools?
2) Indiana (Kelley School) - opposite end of the spectrum - I'd be borrowing even more money, but it seems to be a highly regarded program.
3) UMass - Amherst - Happy medium - I'd have to borrow a little, but seems to be well regarded. I like the flexibility too.
4) ASU (Carey School) - Another pricey yet highly regarded program.
5) UWashington Evening program - not DL but local for me. Pricey, yet highly regarded, but for some reason, I'm not too hot on the idea of taking evening classes on campus. Yet might be the best option for making contacts in my home town.

Anyway, that's my short list, and I'd love to hear opinions on any of these.

I appreciate this forum and all the contributors.

Thank you!

 

You're never too old for video games! As a matter of fact, if I were you, I'd be looking for a good master's in video game design!

 

I have a few other programs that may interest you:

Mississippi State :
$443.75/cr hour
Distance MBA Program Cost (without Survey Classes) $13,312.50.
AACSB accredited
http://www.distance.msstate.edu/mba/

Morehead State:
$465.00/ cr hour
Distance MBA Program Cost $16,740.00
(without foundation classes)
AACSB accredited
http://www.moreheadstate.edu/mba/index.aspx?id=303

Texas A&M-Commerce:
599.50/ cr hour(they have gone way up since I last looked)
AACSB accredited
http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/graduateprograms/Programs/30-HOUR.asp

University of North Alabama:
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/UNA/
$300/ cr hour
Distance MBA Program Cost $9,000
ACBSP accredited
http://www2.una.edu/business/mba/index.html
http://www.columbiasouthern.edu/UNA

 

Well there are those who say the key to an MBA program is the networking..If you have the time,money and flexiblity then I would go for a B&M program. If you do not then you have to choose the school that is right for you both in cirriculm,prestige and cost..That can be a tough balance.
There are alot of high prestige schools like Faqua,Kelly, Auburn are all good choices if you can afford them.

 

I've always felt prestige is only important when you don't have much work experience, or that your are trying to change careers. For someone who has work experience such as yourself, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If I were you I'd go the cheaper route. CSU-DH or UMass.

 

Re: Re: Need to Decide on MBA Program

I agree! You're never too old for video games.

I almost flunked out of college on Tecmo Super Bowl & Baseball All-Stars. I can't imagine how kids get thru school with all the cool games they have now.

 

I usually see this in Black and White.

If you're going to make contacts, take the B&M course.

If you are going to get the degree for future opportunities, take the cheapest / most convenient route, it will still say MBA on your business card and your previous experience will speak for itself.

 

Re: Re: Re: Need to Decide on MBA Program

You must be a yungun! For me, it was Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Make-Trax.

 

It is always nice to see another Seattle-area resident on the boards. Something to think about the UW Evening program is that the students are almost all managers at the local dot-com, telecommunications, biotechnology, financial and manufacturing concerns. This can also be said of the evening program at Seattle University, except that many of the students there work at Boeing.

If you want to use this to advance in your career locally, then networking may be of great value to you. Back in the day when I was choosing a MBA program, I looked at both the UW (my alma mater) and SU. Networking was not a concern for me, however.

 

In terms of the US based top programs I think you've hit the nail on the head with ASU, Indiana and UMass.

You might also want to consider Auburn (one short residency and the price tag comes in at around $19000).

Some other fine programs have been mentioned in this thread. I would add University of Nebraska Lincoln and University of Wyoming.

Personally in your situation I'd probably lean towards UMass, because the money seems to work for you and it is (or at least used to be) a nationally ranked program.

 

I go to UMass and I like it, but unless you're thinking about doing the East coast thing someday for a career or have some other reason for wanting to balance out your resume geographically, why wouldn't you look to Western programs first?

Portland State has an online MBA program that's fairly well regarded. If you plan to stay out West, I think your best choices would be between Portland State, ASU, and night school at UW. If you can stand night school, go there, that's a great program they have and it would give you fine utility for the money. If you can't stand the idea of sitting in class, do this:

Get into some online program, such as ASU, take a couple classes online, then see if DL's for you. If not, I assume you could transfer the 6 credit hours to Washington and hit the ground running in that program (Disclaimer: I don't know this to be possible, you'll have to check for yourself. Most MBA programs do accept at least 6 hours of transfer credit, but if the Washington PT program's a lock step cohort program, they may not be so flexible).

 

Agreed. Successful experience takes an "ordinary" credential and makes it extraordinary.

Pug

 

Wow excellent thoughts, and so quick too! I appreciate the advice.

I notice that I never said in my original post that I was mainly interested in DL because of study flexibility, in terms of time-to-complete, admissions schedules, and overall daily requirements.

One of the big problems with UWashington is that I would have to wait until Fall '07, and I feel like I've dragged my feet too long as it is. And while I realize that for the networking potential, attending a B&M local school is the best, I'm not sure if I intend on remaining in the Seattle area the rest of my career anyway.

My relative impatience rules out a bunch of other DL programs, and in particular a lot of the cadre-based programs really seem to want to put their students in lock-step with each other. I can see over the next few years how I might have to take a quarter/semester off here and there, and I'm not sure how some other programs would accomodate this.

Another factor in my dilemma is that with my good GPA, good GMAT score, and good resume (don't mean to toot my own horn...), I could probably get into a decent competitive program.

But again, as I've read many times in these forums, and indeed in this thread, the prestige of the school matters in networking (which I've already admitted is not necessarily of tremendous value to me) and to overcome the lack of work experience, which I feel I have enough of.

Anyway, again I appreciate all the thoughts. Perhaps this little bit of venting on my part and the good information I've already received will push me in the right direction. Actually, from what I gather already, any of the above paths I choose will probably be the right one, if I use the opportunity and make the best of it.

Thanks!

 

Little Fauss: your post must have come in when I was typing my other reply. This is a great idea (transfer to Evening UW if need be). I will look into that, definitely.

In regards to why I like UMass, it really is because of the flexibility, like I mentioned in my other reply. I could start right away, take time off if need be, etc.

Glad to hear you like the program!

And as far as West Coast vs. East Coast - for some reason the West has hardly any DL programs. I did look into Portland State - only a 3 hr drive for residencies - but I don't think it was as flexible. I will take a look at that program again too.

 

If the ability to take time off from your studies is important to you, may I suggest the program I completed: The Edinburgh Business School. It is entirely self-paced, but it is quite difficult and you have to be able to work essentially alone.

 

You sound like a good candidate for Western Governors University. You can work at your own place in an independent manner there. My step-daughter is studying for a Masters in Education there and enjoys the flexibility and challenge.

 

Hello!

Hi from another Washington local.

If money and time were no object, UofWash would be the best. I don't believe that SU has cohorts so you could try there if you decide to go on-ground. SU is AACSB.

Given constraints/parameters that you've described, Portland State or ASU seem good choices. You're right, there aren't many online MBA programs out West that are well known.

Good luck!

 

Thanks again for the great comments!

I also want to add this note: it is certainly not my intention to belittle or disparage any other program in any comments I made above, especially the comments about competitiveness and "highly regarded." Obviously, I want to make the best choice for my situation and my career growth, and I realize that almost all the programs mentioned on this board and especially this thread in particular are great and would provide a solid education and prestigious addition to my resume.

Now it's back to the research and on to the next steps.

 

It is tough when deciding to do an online MBA. Rankings seem to be important for an DL MBA program but the highest ranks schools do not yet have an online program. Kelly, and ASU have highly ranked non-DL program so that adds prestige to their DL program. Thunderbird just started an online MBA program and it also looks really good. It is is called the Global MBA On-Demand and is both AACSB and EQUIS accredited (http://www.thunderbird.edu).

Another option which everyone should consider is some of the programs in Europe. These schools offer MBAs which have highly ranked non-DL programs and they also offer DL programs. You can find some of these schools listed in on the businessweek.com page or at the ft.com (here is the link http://www.ft.com/businesseducation...ncelearning2006). There is a PDF which describes these programs as well and the number of students (http://media.ft.com/cms/e677c5bc-b5...000779e2340.pdf). Note that some of these program have both AACSB and EQUIS accreditation.

 

Saucy,

I am studying a DL MBA in the UK at Henley Management College, third on the list found in the pdf link in rabbuhl's post above.

It seems you are not considering non-US options but if you change your mind I can offer feedback on Henley and a bit on other UK programs.

My personal view is that you should go for the highest prestige option your budget will realistically allow. When people know you have an MBA the next question will invariably be 'where did you get it?', and you want to be able to answer with pride.

All the best,

Dave C.