Will MBAs be online only in the fall? If so, is it worth it?

MCraazy

1 1

Posted Apr 17, 2020 16:31

I'm enrolling in a (top 20) full-time US MBA program this fall. Although they say classes will most likely be delivered normally then, there is no firm commitment to this on their end.

A few people I have talked to are noticeably shaken by this and are considering differing enrollment or dropping out altogether. I am a bit concerned but not enough to give up my spot (yet).

But if this is the case (that we do Zoom classes or whatever) I am really questioning the value. I mean, I applied for a classroom MBA and not an online program. It would be hard for them to convince me that the same experience will be delivered over the internet. I wouldn't buy it.

Am I thinking about this too much? I really want to do this MBA and will probably do it even if it's online... but... at the same time it's a huge investment and I think I deserve the experience that I am paying for.

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Duncan

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Posted Apr 17, 2020 18:47

You can choose only from the choices that are available. The university's costs are not lower, so there's no easy way for them to reduce fees. Top 20 MBAs will be the very best-delivered online programs. Don't expect that they will use Zoom. Look, for example at how the Illinois iMBA is delivered, with TV-studios for the faculty. In some ways the experience is better.

But, in reality, safety has to come first. Don't die for your MBA.

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Inactive User

728 405

Posted Apr 17, 2020 19:42

Read the article on Find-MBA. That exact same discussion is ongoing in several B schools. Students in Wharton are demanding a tuition cut as they rightly argue that Full-Time MBA is not the same as Online MBA. The difference in value is reflected in price.

In a full-time MBA learning occurs via interactions, classroom discussions among students, group sessions after lectures etc. It could be captured online but I doubt it.

If by July end you don't get a clear response from your Uni then best to defer your admission I guess. Some pre-requisite courses / bootcamp etc. could be taken in online format but doesn't make sense to pay full price for 3/4th of your MBA program while 1/4th is delivered online.

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maury

442 353

Posted Apr 22, 2020 19:09

If you're not comfortable with online classes or if it's risky to take in-class programs, there's always next year.

I generally agree: the better schools will have better access to research, which will make any online learning delivery much more robust than simple video-recorded lessons.

However typically face-to-face aspects like networking events, socials, company visits, etc. could not be entirely replicated online. That's a drawback, to me.

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