I Need More Advice On This

[corpsole2]

Within the last week, I have had two business schools talk with me about their Online @ __ programs. First one was UNC Chapel Hill, and the second was Syracuse University. I have interviews with both tomorrow, and it is with the understanding that if I got accepted, I'd start in July.

What impressed me with these programs is that they are geared to those who have worked more than five years, and for that they are willing to waive the GMAT and GRE requirements. I certainly meet that requirement! Another thing which impressed me is that they didn't require business prerequisites like my alma mater TESC does. The professors teach the subject as if you are a beginner and lead from there. This is great for me since I admittedly got a D in Statistics and did not take Microeconomics.

The thing that I am concerned about is their financial aid packages. Now, I'll be talking with the financial aid counselor at Syracuse, but if they don't really have much in the way of need based grants, then I would have to drop this school from my plans. There is no way I am going to take on another $38k a year in student loan debt.

So, as a result, I am looking at WGU as an alternative - or rather the alternative - I should have looked at long ago. I know a few on this forum are studying or have received their MBAs through WGU. On the whole, would you say it was as good a deal (as far as education is concerned) than if I did the super expensive online programs at a B&M school? Did employers have questions about WGU, or does it command the respect that a Syracuse U would?

[sanantone]

Would something in between not be an option? If you're looking for the cheapest regionally accredited MBA out there, then WGU, Patten, Amberton, and Wayne State College are options. If you're willing to spend a little more money, then there are MBA programs from AACSB-accredited business schools that are in the $10,000-$20,000 range total.

[corpsole2]

Would something in between not be an option? If you're looking for the cheapest regionally accredited MBA out there, then WGU, Patten, Amberton, and Wayne State College are options. If you're willing to spend a little more money, then there are MBA programs from AACSB-accredited business schools that are in the $10,000-$20,000 range total.

Well, yes, there are always options. These just happened to be the two i applied to on a whim.

I like that they are waiving the GMAT requirements. Any other program would have to have that same option. I do not look forward to taking the GMAT. I guess getting my degree through TESC taught me to find unconventional ways to the same result; to go off the beaten path and use a shortcut.

[sanantone]

This list of MBA programs that waive the GMAT may or may not be out of date.

AACSB Accredited Online MBAs that do NOT require the GRE or GMAT | Best Online Colleges | Best Online Universities | GetEducated.com

[Decius73]

I would look into LSU Shreveport. They are AACSB accredited and costs about 12k. No GMAT requirement if a 2.5 GPA and 5 years of work experience.

[corpsole2]

I am intrigued by Texas A&M University, Commerce. They have a top rated MBA school that is among the least expensive, and they will waive the GMAT and GRE if I have a cumulative 3.0 GPA. However, they require a 3.25 GPA on my final sixty credits. Problem is, all of the courses on my transcript - save the two I took at TESC - were transfer, and Thomas Edison does not confer a letter grade on transfer credit. So, I might run into a roadblock there.

Have any of you ever run into a similar problem?

[sanantone]

I am intrigued by Texas A&M University, Commerce. They have a top rated MBA school that is among the least expensive, and they will waive the GMAT and GRE if I have a cumulative 3.0 GPA. However, they require a 3.25 GPA on my final sixty credits. Problem is, all of the courses on my transcript - save the two I took at TESC - were transfer, and Thomas Edison does not confer a letter grade on transfer credit. So, I might run into a roadblock there.

Have any of you ever run into a similar problem?

Texas A&M, College Station is the high-ranking one. Texas A&M, Commerce has an unranked business school. The graduate school will calculate your GPA based on transcripts from all colleges attended. I had no GPA at TESC. Angelo State University calculated my GPA based on all of my transcripts.

[clep3705]

Texas A&M, Commerce has an unranked business school.

There isn't any one, single source of business school rankings. As a matter of personal preference, some people may consider U.S. News and World Report to be authoritative or the de facto standard. Relying on only one source or one opinion is limiting particularly when we consider the impact academic choices make on a person's life. Here is a rating from a different business (after all, U.S. News and World Report is a business) that ranks Texas A&M Commerce as number 3 among affordable AACSB online MBA programs: AACSB Online MBA | Best Online Colleges | Best Online Universities | GetEducated.com

[sanantone]

There isn't any one, single source of business school rankings. As a matter of personal preference, some people may consider U.S. News and World Report to be authoritative or the de facto standard. Relying on only one source or one opinion is limiting particularly when we consider the impact academic choices make on a person's life. Here is a rating from a different business (after all, U.S. News and World Report is a business) that ranks Texas A&M Commerce as number 3 among affordable AACSB online MBA programs: AACSB Online MBA | Best Online Colleges | Best Online Universities | GetEducated.com

That ranking is solely based on tuition. It's #3 because it's the third cheapest online MBA with AACSB accreditation (that they know of). There are no other criteria.

[soliloquy]

Within the last week, I have had two business schools talk with me about their Online @ __ programs. First one was UNC Chapel Hill, and the second was Syracuse University. I have interviews with both tomorrow, and it is with the understanding that if I got accepted, I'd start in July.

What impressed me with these programs is that they are geared to those who have worked more than five years, and for that they are willing to waive the GMAT and GRE requirements. I certainly meet that requirement! Another thing which impressed me is that they didn't require business prerequisites like my alma mater TESC does. The professors teach the subject as if you are a beginner and lead from there. This is great for me since I admittedly got a D in Statistics and did not take Microeconomics.

The thing that I am concerned about is their financial aid packages. Now, I'll be talking with the financial aid counselor at Syracuse, but if they don't really have much in the way of need based grants, then I would have to drop this school from my plans. There is no way I am going to take on another $38k a year in student loan debt.

So, as a result, I am looking at WGU as an alternative - or rather the alternative - I should have looked at long ago. I know a few on this forum are studying or have received their MBAs through WGU. On the whole, would you say it was as good a deal (as far as education is concerned) than if I did the super expensive online programs at a B&M school? Did employers have questions about WGU, or does it command the respect that a Syracuse U would?

I spoke to UNC regarding their MBA program. When I decided not to attend, Ngunjiri Ngari, called me incessantly so I know they must be having a hard time selling that program. MBA@UNC tuition is currently $1,510.23 per credit hour. MBA@UNC is a 66 credit hour program. Students can expect to pay at least $99,675 for the entire program. That doesn't include their immersion travel requirements.

Let me know what they say about their financial aid packages. They didn't seem like they were offering much there...pushing loans more than anything so if you find out something different, I would love to know that.