Applying to an Online MBA Program - Who is the Ideal Candidate? | My Online MBA Experience [Part #2]

[@RichardWalls]

🙌🙌🙌 QUESTION === What questions do you have about online MBAs? In my follow up videos, what kind of content would you like to hear more about related to my experience with the program?

[@blitzio]

This is awesome advice! Thank you Richard. Currently finalizing my application, for Fall 2020 at Gies where you're currently at. Your recommendation about the Japanese Ikigai concept is amazing! I will use this as a framework for my application essay. One question: for references, do our recommenders need to submit before the final deadline? I will most likely complete the application submission but have no control over the recommenders letters submission (3 people). Wondering how you managed with your experience and if you know what to expect if there is a delay. Thanks!

[@RichardWalls]

Glad to hear it - good luck! If I recall correctly, yes, those recommendations need to be in before the final deadline. I made sure to reach out to more than 3 people for references, and follow up with each of them. More proof points never hurt, but also if some of them for whatever reason aren't able to submit before the deadline, you have back ups.

[@blitzio]

Hey @Richard Walls - Career Dev & Finance since the last comment, I finally submitted my application to Gies and got an interview invitation, which I will be having in the next week! Please could you share some tips and advice for the Gies iMBA interview questions and process? Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks

[@RichardWalls]

@@blitzio that's great to hear! Not many tips beyond what I mentioned in the video. Just be able to articulate why you're pursuing the MBA, and why now in your career, and what it'll help you do in the future. Good luck!

[@blitzio]

@@RichardWalls Perfect, thanks Richard!

[@JakeCalleOficial]

What a great channel. Thank you for so much insight into the world of MBAs.

[@RomelBuildingWealth]

Great video - I think its important to have clear goals like you said about why you want an MBA. Its an expensive experience.

[@RichardWalls]

100% true. I hear of alot of people that decide to pursue an MBA that don't have any specific goals, and end up spending a fortune, only to end up in a role after school that they aren't all that passionate about.

[@financiallift6185]

There was a cousin of mine that was trying to take the GMAT and it kept getting postponed. So probably worth really planning ahead. Just thought it was worth mentioning his experience right now

[@RichardWalls]

Good call out - definitely have to plan ahead if you plan on doing the GMAT. The scores are valid for 5 years, so never hurts to get it done a little bit in advance.

[@JoeMacekRealEstate]

Smashed the like Watched in real time end to end! Joe

[@RichardWalls]

Awesome - thanks Joe!

[@tqm5400]

Hi Richard, Some great information. I'm in the same situation where you were doing the research. Most of the top-ranked (QS) online MBA programs are still quite expensive. I'm also working in the digital product management area. Illinois online mba/digital marketing is very much relevant to what I'm looking into. Did you find any other universities falls within the same range (tuition fees) and something in digital/IT etc. Thanks for the help! Tariq

[@RichardWalls]

Hi Tariq, Working on a video to come out in the next 2 weeks with a Top 5 Affordable Online MBA programs, so make sure to subscribe if you haven't already! In the mean time, there are a handful you should check out at a similar price tag (in no particular order): 1) University of Wisconsin - Whitewater 2) Oklahoma State University - Spears 3) West Texas A&M University Hope this helps!

[@Pyrrhic.]

As for undergraduate GPA. Major probably matters. If you have a high 2.x to low 3.x GPA in a STEM major, it would be fine. Just explain the GPA in your optional essay.

[@RichardWalls]

Yes - good point!

[@Roq333]

Thank you, Richard, for sharing your experience!! I found that selecting the right online MBA (well, maybe regardless online or not) is very difficult. In my affordability, I am considering IE University in Spain or Imperial College online MBA. IE has a very good reputation in the ranking but their modules do not contain something I want to learn. Whereas Imperial college has modules that fit my profession and speciality that is healthcare modules but the raking reputation is second to IE. Could you please elaborate your thoughts on how much you concerned or weighted the ranking reputation when you selected an online MBA? Thanks a lot!

[@RichardWalls]

Hi Riku - glad you found it helpful! I've actually come across Imperial College in some of my research (planning a future video on this university, so make sure to subscribe!), and Imperial is one of few universities that are triple accredited (AACSB/AMBA/EQUIS), so it's well recognized in Europe as well as the US. Ultimately depends on your career goals and financial situation that determines what MBA you consider, but both are great options. As far as ranking goes, I looked less at the ranking for the business school specifically and focused more on the reputation of the University, which in the case of Illinois, it has a strong reputation & ranking globally. That, combined with the great price point, made it a worthwhile investment for a recognized university brand.

[@MrRangasgopalan]

I am applying for an online MBA at Urbana Champaign.. like to discuss with you few things.

[@annasteele8385]

I am very interested in furthering my career. I want to work towards my MBA . My issue is knowing where to get started, all I have is my GED at this time though. Where would you suggest that I start? How to get started, what direction would you recommend?

[@SuperTori2007]

One of the requirements to be accepted into an MBA program (or any graduate program) is to have already obtained a Bachelor's degree. You can look up many online degrees and find the best school for you and your interests.

[@jamborichamata1525]

Bro, How about Laurie pickard's list of self made Mba from online courses/moocs named NopayMBA. I don't need accreditation just business knowledge. Is it good? As good as other online programs?

[@RichardWalls]

Not all too familiar, but taking a quick look at some of the recommended free MOOCs she recommends, I'd say they're solid. There's alot of great resources on Coursera and EdX, all free, with great content on business concepts from some of the top universities.

[@ArrowsinthehandsofaWarriror]

I'm in a process of applying to an online mba program. I'm not planning to take GMAT. 13 years work experience. Do you think a professional certification such as a project management professional certificate help in the admission process?

[@RichardWalls]

Hi Jacob, 13 years of work experience is pretty solid, so you're already on good footing there. PMP cert can certainly help, but wouldn't say it's required in your case.

[@SaugataMallick]

Hi Richard. Is it possible to make a career transition after doing online MBA? I am having 4 years of work experience

[@RichardWalls]

Hi Saugata. Yes, very possible, but you'll need to be proactive within your program in networking and seeking opportunities whereas in traditional, full-time, in-person programs, there are usually companies actively recruiting from the school and there are career fairs and the sort. So more effort is required for career transition in online MBAs, but certainly possible.

[@SaugataMallick]

@@RichardWalls Thank you

[@waliddjema5442]

Hello, i think i am in a weird situation i am a biochemistry student, i will start my master's degree this year, and i absolutly hate biology... The thing is i am from another country (a bad one). So i have to start an online company... But i want to have a safety net in case my business fails (even though i will do absolutly every thing to keep it alive). So i was thinking about an American oline mba, if you know... my country goes to sh!t, because we kind of look like venuzela... so i want to have my master's degree in biology and add to that an MBA, so i can boost my chances aborad. Could you please tell me that's..... how can i say it.... is it stupid ? if not, is a 10-14k mba worth it, from a top 50 university, to get a job at a big company selling biology related materials on the international scale, Thanks again :D

[@RichardWalls]

Hi Walid - thank you for the question! If you hate biology/biochemistry, I'm not sure I'd recommend spending that money and getting a masters in it. I would suggest that the bachelors degree would be enough to pair with an MBA and improve your marketability, so it'd be a good idea. That said, most MBA programs (especially online) will want to see a few years of work experience, so it's doubtful you'd be able to go right into an MBA program. You won't find a top 50 university with a 10-14K MBA; however, there are some reputable names in that price point - I'd recommend you take a look at Oklahoma State University - Spears. I believe the MBA is ~$12K.

[@sujinshin5844]

Thank you for your highly informative video always! I would like to ask you about joining new online MBA having less reputations. I also understand that the course having great reputation is much better. Actually, in my case, I am an international student from South Korea and wouldn’t like to spend the time to prepare GMAT and IELTS which measures English ability for international students. I think it feels waste of time and it also might lead me to delay of getting MBA for one year or two years. That is why I have chosen London School of International Business online MBA course to boost my career with minimum investment. How are you thinking about this? I would like to know your thoughts. Thank you!

[@RichardWalls]

Thanks for the comment, Sujin! I think that's a really good option and I agree with your thinking. Solid reputation. Did you already apply and have been accepted?