HI There,

I've hit a crossroads in my life. I really want to develop my business and leadership skills, earn a brilliant salary, have a more challenging job and experience working life in the USA. (I've singled out NYC, as I've always wanted to live there).

I actually come from a Digital field. Almost 2 years in management, 6 years in digital and 8/9 years work experience in total.

The more and more I research MBAs, the more and more I want to do it. But I don't think I could afford being out of work for 2 years though. Especially the digital industry, it's dynamic and changes drastically every 2 years.

I'm also worried financially, although I know I could just take a numerous loans to cover me for 2 years.

I've recently considered the Accelerated MBA, but again, I'm worried that I would be seriously missing out, on the internships and electives offered during 2 year MBA courses. The accelerated MBA courses I have seen, only for 2 weeks ,(like Cornell).

If I choose an accelerated MBA, am I like to be have the same job opps/sponsorships, as 2 yr MBA candidates? Am I like to have the same netwiorking opportunities/connections as 2 year MBA candidates?

Many thanks,

Reena.

Are you in a place where there are some solid part-time programs around? That might be an option for you.

I wouldn't worry about missing out on digital trends for two years. And it's not like you'll be going to the moon for two years. There are ways to stay connected to the trends.

reena, you have to keep in mind that there are some 1 yr programs like cornell,kellogg and babson.

but they require some six core economic courses or a Business UG degree to be eligible.

if u r a green card, u can look at europe's 1 yr programs.

Hiya, cornell just got back to me and said you need a Math or Science degree to get into the Accelerated programme. I only have a marketing degree.

So I've singled out Wagner or ny metropolitan for accelerated mba's. Are these colleges with good reps? Am I like to network well with potential employers with these colleges?

I want to be in new yor, hence my college limitations.

I'm also worried about the cost of N MBA. Do students tend to get wll paid jobs with an MBA. I'm worried about doing a 2 yr MBA as my debt could easily rack up to $80,000 - $100000 and that's including living expenses. I'd be an international student... Obviously I'd take out student loans, but it would be good to have other peoples experiences.

Cheers.

reena,

In new york , columbia and NYU stern are top tier,

cuny,fordham,st john's ,pace,hofstra 2nd tier with rutgers in suburbs.

if i were you, i would not go beyond these schools as inetrnationals. infact i am applying for columbia and NYU only.

and i am not sure why you cannot be placed in new york if you can study elsewhere, barring family constraints.you can come back after graduation and search for NY jobs staying in new york.there are top notch colleges in the east coast.

your already limited options are getting even more constrained by choice of city. The value of the MBA program would be the better criteria to go by. or why would you take out valuable time and loss of salary to work on an MBA?

Logically a top tier school will make return in investment more probable but its a probability,not a certainty.
you would be well advised to build your skillset for your chosen goal. there are success stories and there are people who have not gained as well as they would have wanted.

For less known schools, you will have to over come some disadvantages without a doubt. If you were a IT/tech person, i can say without a doubt that you can over come those.But there are enough amercian candidates for managers.

but these schools are not going to cost 80000$ and anywhere near it.

you may be well advised to research on placement stats and other aspects of the schools you mentioned

and also often, you can get assistantships and tuition waivers in atleast the second semester and second year of full time programs. hence you can reduce your debts a great deal.some universities and programs are more generous than others. Then you will have to do extensive research on this.

pls try to enquire from emory goizueta,atlanta. i heard good chances of schoalrship at that school and it has a 1 year program and ranked by FT within top 50.

if you can persuade your company to pay for an executive MBA say at stern, it would be an option you can look at as well.

take a look at the link.

http://www.macquil.com/articles/oneyearmba.php

USC, IBEAR BS, LA
UFL,Gainesville,florida
katz BS,univ of pittburgh.

are 1 yr programs that could be suited.

Hey wbSat!

Thank you so much for getting back to me. The problem I have is that I would be an International student, (from the UK). So it's gonna be costly regardless.

I obviously want to enhance my business skills, but I also want to live in New York. IHowever, I appreciate there's not much selection from on Accelerated MBA in this state, from from than 2/3 good colleges.

I'd happily consider a 2 year MBA then. I'm just really, really worried about the debt and tutition fees. I know you can get loans, but aren't MBA candidates generally worried about this? I mean it could easily be $100,000 at the end of a 2 year course.

I have a little money saved up, but thats to buy a flat with in the future, (as I'm still renting!).

It would be really good to get your perspective on the debt situation. I also understand as an international student, you can not work at the same time as studying...

How do other students survive the 2 years and pay off the debit how quickly?

Thank you.

reena,

at the risk of repeating, i suggest you spread your net wider. as i said studying in massachusetts for instance won't seriously compromise your ability to work and live in new york after graduation .I am not sure why are you stubborn that you want to be in NY at all costs for studying.This would be a bad way to apply IMO with such severe restrictions but then its up to you

its good if u get in NY but you may want to make very good choices at crucial junctures..
also columbia and NY stern are very picky schools and most applications are far from guaranteed.

regarding debts,i gave you a indicator already. try getting fee waivers,assistantships and scholarships to reduce your burden.

living expenses can be covered by part time jobs,but from my previous experience in late 90's in michigan, i can tell you its not a pleasant life.

by immigration rules, you can work ON CAMPUS for 20 hrs a day.but students in big cities often work offcampus at gas stations and stores illegally .techncially you are eligible to face action for this if you are caught.

but part time jobs won't make a huge impact on tuition fees. accounting for the tuition fees is the key. i got a teaching assitantship that paid for three courses a semester last time around.

students usually manage with loans,scholarships and parental support,but the more you are dependent on loans and aid, you are likely to lead a financially tight life.

The debt is not as bad as the credit record. You have to preserve strong credit record throughout the time you study and margins for error will be less.in short financial managemnt will be crucial during studies.

yes ppl have run up huge debts for MBA. if you are sucessful landing a plump job, you can pay it in less than three years. I read that on average return on investment is 3.5 years in US.
there are ppl who don't get the rise they expected and tghey struggle more.

so its up to you to make the great gains post MBA in landing high income jobs that will make repayment easier for you.

nowadays schools do provide loans from university or partners.something not available to internationals in the 90's.
but i have bad credit in the US already and i am disqualified.

the repayment effectively depends on your post MBA progress.

regarding cost, not all programs will cost 80000$ plus. the quality schools likely will.the location also matters.

but public and less known schools are not as likely.

if you are keen on the city, then it certainly will cost more than subrubs and towns on average.

Hiya ,

Thanks for the feedback. All sound info and I am starting to think about spreading my wings outside of NY.

The only reason I am being stubborn and centering on NYC, is because as soon as I graduate, I would have to come back to the UK on my student visa. IE, once I graduate I have to leave the country.

My logic was that it make sense to study and 'network' in the city I want to be employed in, post MBA.

Although, yes, I could study in another city and potential make the right connections to be sponsored by an NYC employer, (say in Boston). it's safer, to actually study and make connections in NYC, right from Day 1.

I have considered working illegally. Even if it's a day a week to help pay the weekly food bills!

you are wrong on the return part.

international students usually take PT period to stay one year after graduation. i heard there has been change in rules.but the PT shud be still there, i converted from student to h1 work visa straight..

here is the info.

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/opt.htm

there is a 14 month period following completion of study.

a quality MBA program better gives you better leverage
facilities and profile to network than other wise. hence you may want to focus on a suitable MBA program.first .

and also a suitbale MBA program is vital for our health,if i am a reserved guy and took a program heavy on case study,, i may suffer.

do not underestimate the chocie of a suitable program first at this stage,As you said, there are ways to make NYC connections even from boston.

,there are a lot of ways to make it to NY after graduation and its not a big issue.

as i said. living expenses are not as heavy as the heavy tution fees.

give startegic priority to waiving tuition fees first.

working illegally won't help you much in this regard..
.yes part time jobs can cover living expenses.

i suggest you avoid the illegal option. i was broke and even i didn't take that route,

there are legal ways..

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/opt.htm there is a 14 month period following completion of study.