confused with online mba

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by ca_mba, Mar 19, 2013.

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  1. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    Hello All,

    I am new to the forum, I have been searching in the internet for a while now which is the best online mba (preferably without GMAT/GRE)

    Here is my situation, I have 8+years of Exp in IT industry with Master Degree from India. Presently based out of California.

    Initially I was looking at San Jose State part time (costs around 30k) and has a GMAT/GRE waiver if we have US equivalent Masters. My second choice was to go completely online and I saw reviews for these to be pretty good (Not in the order though)

    1) Colorado State University
    2) Texas A&M (can be completed in 1 year!)
    3) Isenberg

    I have been searching and searching but not able to come to conclusion, could you please guide me, keeping NO GMAT /GRE and first preference in part time (for networking) and then online.

    Please help.

    Thanks
     
  2. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    With those options I'd choose Isenberg. Their full-time program took quite a jump in the USNWR rankings this year. The TAMU program you referenced isn't from the highly regarded Mays College of Business at College Station, it's from TAMU-Commerce.
    Some other programs you might want to take a look at: Auburn University, Oklahoma State and Mississippi State.
     
  3. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

  4. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    Okay, Thanks.

    I have another question.

    Will the above said University, help me in progressing my career to Management (either with current employer or potential employers) I know education, degree, certifications can open up doors to interview and its all about the individual who performs there. But my question is more about, like if a recruiter or a hiring manager sees my resume and shouldn't think like, "oh this guy is an MBA just for the sake of it" or "which part of the world that this university exists" ?!.

    I know I cannot compare these with HAAS, UCLA etc, keeping my NO GMAT and Online . But still in terms of moving my career from techie to a management level, which one would you suggest.

    Thanks again in advance.
     
  5. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    TEKMAN,

    Also, I am not looking into only these 3 university, any thing better than this keeping NO GMAT with part time or online is also okay. I might get sponsored from my employer for 50% of tuition. Please suggest.
     
  6. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    Looks like my prev reply didn't go through - trying it again.

    My only reason for MBA is to get into management from being a techie. So which one do you suggest, keeping potential recruiter / hiring manager / current employer - into consideration. They shouldn't be wondering if I say some xyz University, that which part of the world it exists. :)

    So please feel free to suggest any other university as well.
     
  7. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    In your list, University of Massachusetts at Amherst does require GMAT/GRE score. I would recommend you to stay with most reputable school as possible. In the no GRE/GMAT require there two schools I would chose:

    1) Syracuse University
    2) Northeastern University

    Since your previous degrees were issued from non-English speaking country, they might need you take TOEFL exam. If you want to claim the Management ladder, then you should earn your MBA from a high ranking school. Then try to stay away from the technical works as possible, such as moving to Team Lead, Supervisor, IT Director and etc. Do you plan to be CTO (Chief Technology Officer), CIO (Chief Information Officer) in the future?

    Also you want to work on your CISSP and PMP certifications.
     
  8. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    University of Massachusetts at Amherst has a waver for GMAT/GRE if the candidate has US equivalent MS with 3.0 GPA or more and 5+ years of experience. So if there is a waver do you still suggest me to go with Syracuse over UMass at Amherst?

    Also, TOEFL is okay, I can clear it quickly, doesn't need as much preparation as GMAT/GRE and some do have waver on that as well, if I have more than 3 yrs of work exp in US.

    Coming to other question, I am now a Team Lead and want to be either CTO or CIO but not CFO and doesn't like to be in Marketing / Sales ladder either. Initially I was looking at PMP / Stanford Advanced proj management, but then, these certification would make me pure project management role (not really a management position) and just a project manager (PMO) doesn't get enough paid nor the growth. - atleast in my company
     
  9. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    My fiance is one step below the CIO at a major hospital in Boston. She moved into that role from an analyst position with only a bachelors degree in Psychology (granted, from a very prestigious school), she is now in a masters program at Brown that her employer is paying for but didn't begin that program until she was in a people management role. I think an MBA can help you get into a CTO/CIO track, but that's going to be more a result of your ability to manage and lead people and less a function of your education.

    Between UMass and Syracuse, I'd go to UMass simply because it is significantly less expensive than Syracuse. The Syracuse name isn't worth the additional expense.
     
  10. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    UMass came back saying they don't waive GMAT if I have less than 3.5 GPA. What is the best calculator to use which converts 79% to GPA, there are many and don't know which one does the universities uses.
     
  11. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    I don't think there is any straightforward or universally accepted way to convert British or Indian marks to US grades. In Britain or India, 79% would typically be a good grade (most likely a "First"), but in the US, 79% would be unimpressive (most likely a "C+").

    I would tell UMass that you don't have a US degree and don't have a GPA. Ask them how they want to convert your marks; I'm sure they've encountered this issue before. They may want an independent degree evaluation service to review your marks and estimate an appropriate GPA. Or you could just take the GMAT.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 19, 2013
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  13. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    The US grade system uses 4.0 scale; most of the school utilize this method to convert international grade.

    International grade / 100 = Number

    Number * 4.0 = US Grade.

    79/100 = 0.79

    0.79 * 4.0 = 3.16

    That is above B average
     
  14. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    Thanks guys for all the information. It really helps.

    Looks like its better to do GMAT and get a decent score, If I write GMAT, does the UMass still hold the edge over the other online mba? Considering less than 35k as the tuition? I know its a hypothetical question, but I need to know if there are application deadlines for the best online universities. So please let me know.

    Thanks again.
     
  15. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I hope that's not true, because it would be an inaccurate way to convert marks from a UK university. Anything over 70% is a tippity top score there.
     
  16. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    I was taken aback by Kizmet's initial comment, but you're being a bit ridiculous now. You're asking us to do your research for you at this point. Go to the websites of the programs you're interested in and look at the application process. You'll get all the information you need there. God help anyone assigned to a group project with you...
     
  17. ca_mba

    ca_mba New Member

    You don't have to be so rude and use strong words like ridiculous. I have done my home work already. All I wanted to know was, which was the best among online mba if I plan to take GMAT.

    Anyways, thanks.
     
  18. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    OK, I've calmed down a bit. It happens all the time where people simply want you to do their homework for them. It's like the guy asking questions about HES and it's clear that he hasn't even bothered to look at the HES website. How do you expect to get through grad school if . . . well maybe I haven't calmed down that much.:scool:

    Besides, you didn't just ask for the best MBA program, you were asking about application deadlines, will this advance my career, etc.

    I'm going to shut up now.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 20, 2013
  19. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    Steve,

    Here it is... URL: Convert Percentage to GPA for US Universities

    I assume UMASS -Amherst utilizes my method, that was why OP said not getting GMAT waiver because GPA below 3.5.
     
  20. CalDog

    CalDog New Member

    That may not be a very safe assumption -- since the page that you linked to has the following disclaimer further down:

    For comparison, World Education Services -- which is one of the best-known professional degree evaluation services in the US -- assumes by default that a mark of 60% or more from India is equivalent to a US "A" grade. Yet a 60% would only be a 2.4 GPA (about a C+) using the method you suggest.

    Obviously there are differences of opinion on this issue. That's why I suggested that the OP should contact UMass directly about their preferences.

    My guess is that a professional degree evaluation service, such as WES, would accept a 79% from India as equivalent to a US "A" average. But if you have to go to the trouble of getting your degrees evaluated, maybe it is simpler to just take the GMAT.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 20, 2013

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