Thinking of making a switch from TAMUC

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by FNR32, Jun 3, 2015.

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  1. FNR32

    FNR32 New Member

    Hi Everyone,

    I posted up a while back when I was having a difficulty time deciding on an online MBA program. Well, I decided to go with TAMUC and for the most part I've been satisfied. I found the Professors to be knowledgable and engaging but very approachable and understanding. I can't stress enough that I am in no way unhappy with TAMUC......but part of me still longs for a program with a bit more brand recognition behind it, so I decided to weigh my options.

    I reached out to both Temple and William & Mary to see about transferring etc. Both are willing to accept the small amount of credits I have from TAMUC and both waive the GMAT for me considering my professional experience and overall academic profile. I'd like to hear opinions from you all on if you feel either of these two programs are worth paying the extra $$. William & Mary is roughly about $49k and Temple seems to be about $62k. William & Mary's program is pretty much brand new which is both a pro and a con. I don't doubt that in a few years time the tuition will be similar to Temple's at least. Any thoughts?
     
  2. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    Finish what you began at TAMUC.
     
  3. rebel100

    rebel100 New Member

    I don't see the point of switching, stick it out, get it done at TAMUC.
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    What are you paying at TAMUC? The program at William and Mary may be new, but their business school isn't and they don't do things halfway there, so if your goals include conventional employment and if you're anywhere on the East Coast, their name recognition would be advantageous. If you do switch, attend as many residencies as possible.
     
  5. major56

    major56 Active Member

    There is really nothing new about the W & M MBA (already established) … only the added program approach, e.g., its web based delivery option. If MBA branding is now a priority motivation for you … clearly both the Temple-Fox and William & Mary reputation brands will easily surpass TAMUC (as well as a myriad of other AACSB B-schools)—emphasis being on the brand names, rankings, delivery quality, etc. … but not necessarily the program /actual subject area curriculums (re in that all three B-schools are still AACSB accredited). Even so, one would understandably expect the overall qualifications of either W & M or Temple faculty to exceed the TAMUC professors.

    There are additional variables you may choose to likewise consider re your inquiry, in example: 1) who is funding your MBA studies; funds limitation if any? 2) Where are you currently in your career development; what is the goal? 3) Will the projected learning experience and MBA degree outcome (ROI) via program status fiscally support the differences in ROA ($$$) /outlay? If so, I’d personally go with the William & Mary trademark in general...
     
  6. Paradox4286

    Paradox4286 New Member

    While I agree with some of your sentiments, even had some of the same for myself, I feel you should stick it out at TAMUC. I feel that a big name school is something that could really help my resume, but I also know I am getting a quality education from an highly accredited school. The good things about TAMUC, it's very affordable, and only requiring 30 hours, it can be done quickly. If you need some one to talk to who's in the same program, PM me. It may be good to share your experience with someone who can relate.

    Sidenote:
    I'm a GI Bill student, and I've got enough to fund another masters when I finish this MBA at TAMUC. That will be when I'm looking into another big name school. Currently looking at MPS at Georgetown now that its offered online.
     
  7. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I largely agree with Major although I'd put it in a somewhat different way. We might agree that there is a difference in the branding of TAMU vs. W&M but my question is "Will that difference make a difference?" One school might be said to be more prestigious than the other but what will that buy you? Is there any real evidence for thinking it will make a difference or is it just an intuition? Will you pay all that money and wind up with the same job regardless? I don't know the answers to those questions but you might want to know the answers, especially if you're going to be paying the bills.
     
  8. FTFaculty

    FTFaculty Well-Known Member

    If you're doing this to get a decent job, maybe management in the area where you work or to move up within your own organization, nothing spectacular, then stay at Commerce.

    If you have high aspirations and want a degree to be portable anywhere, then go to Temple or William & Mary. Brand name in MBAs is huge. If you can get into Duke, UNC, Carnegie Mellon, or Virginia, I'd do that also and forget the cost--provided you're shooting for the spectacular. But always remember: one big drawback to online MBAs, even from an elite university, will be the lack of networking opportunities, and networking opportunities are a big reason why people get an MBA.

    So know what you're getting into. Also realize that many of the people at the more pricey and elite e-MBA programs are hot shots and managers who are having the bill paid by their corporations. That's in large part what's driving the market and these exorbitant costs.
     
  9. FNR32

    FNR32 New Member

    I really enjoy this forum because there is always great dialogue and not just a bunch of useless banter and bashing. I'm getting 10K annually toward my degree from my employer. Anything else will need to come out of pocket in the form of federal loans. The idea is that I can stretch any program to a tad longer than 2 years so that I can maximize my work contribution. There is no "cap" on the funds so long as im still working toward the degree program.
     
  10. FNR32

    FNR32 New Member

    My most recent tuition bill is a tad over 4k for 2 classes during the summer I term and that doesn't include books. Classes are 3 credit hours each.
     
  11. FNR32

    FNR32 New Member

    Those are great points. I also feel that brand name is a huge factor and I do have some aspirations, but I have to keep them in check because the reality is that even if I did decided to go with a program with lots of brand recognition, it's not the same as the likes of Wharton etc and the networking opportunities just don't seem to compare to the on-campus experience.
     
  12. major56

    major56 Active Member

    Have you considered a global top-ten (Big brand) ranked university; in example: Business school rankings from the Financial Times - FT.com Business school rankings from the Financial Times - FT.com ; https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2015/reputation-ranking Top World University Rankings, p2 | US News Best Global Universities -- such could benefit you in standing out from the crowd?

    Imperial College London Business School- Tanaka (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS) /scholarships available: MBA (£33,000 = $50,000)

    Note: “All candidates will spend three weeks on-campus in total as part of the programme. At the start of the first year you will spend one week on-campus for the programme induction. At the start of the second year you will spend two weeks consecutively on-campus to complete the Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Design Course.”
    Imperial Global Online MBA | Imperial College Business School
     
  13. FNR32

    FNR32 New Member

    Major, that's a great idea that I'd not considered before!

    I did find out today that none of the classes i've taken at TAMUC will transfer over to any of the program i'm looking at, but the good thing is that i've only taken 2 thus far.
     
  14. major56

    major56 Active Member

  15. major56

    major56 Active Member

    I know the feeling: Although WTAMU did accept the maximum of 12-hours in graduate transfer credit from my previous Tarleton State MBA program courses … I’d actually completed additional coursework while with Tarleton prior to transferring to West Texas A & M. In retrospect though ... completing some surplus MBA coursework was not really a big deal. Ultimately, I went with a better MBA program in my view.
     

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