Hi, I am looking to do an MBA within the next 5 years. I noticed there is an increase in online MBA courses and came across Imperial College Business School online MBA. I was wondering if an online MBA would be treated differently compared to physical MBA when I apply for MBB.
Any advice? I would prefer to do a physical MBA given the opportunity. However, i am not in exactly able to afford the opportunity costs from doing MBA physically hence why an online MBA was considered.
Hi there,
Please be really really careful with an online MBA!
Speaking openly, there's not all that much learning at an MBA (Reference: I just had a candidate tell me my 45 minute World of Frameworks video taught him more than his entire 1 year MBA program!)
You do an MBA in order to network with others, and get a prestigious job (they are the funnel). Neither of these happen when it is online.
Just think through what your goals are and whether the online MBA will achieve those…
My honest advice is stay to clear of online MBA program. Investment of time, effort and money into MBA must be planned well and done with full commitment. If you cut corners here and there, the rewards you reap will also be lower.
In the short-term you are better investing time & effort into learning, doing well at work, networking & improving your profile. Then consider whether you need an MBA at all- you dont really absolutely need MBA to progress & do well.
Hey there!
Clearly, an MBA on the ground provides you with greater knowledge, skills, … than any online any MBA could ever do - and will thus be more appreciated by any MBB or consulting firm you'd ever apply to.
Have you considered to apply to MBB without MBA and pursue doing one as part of your career track there? Attractive offer and my advice! :)
Best, Christina
If getting into MBB is the only reason you are doing an online MBA I would rethink the time and money investment.
MBBs when assessing your profile will not give much weight to an online MBA even if from a good school. If you are shortlisted it would be based on your work experiences and leadership impact.
Top schools serve as a preliminary filter for consulting firms as they are difficult to get into.
Hi there,
As you pointed out, this is a recent trend and we have too few data points for determining whether or not a good number of “online MBA” alumnus make it to MBB.
If the latter is your sole target, you may not need an MBA at all - physical or online. Instead, I would invest the time/energy/money in a more targeted approach.
As someone who did a ‘real’ MBA, all the value was derived from physically being in the class room and part of the cohort. Hard to imagine getting an experience that comes close to that from an online MBA.
Happy to talk more if you need more concrete help! Best of luck!
Hello!
Yes indeed, an online and in person MBA are totally different things! And they are considered differently when it comes to MBB recruiting.
However, as someone who has an MBA I can tell you that an online experience wouldn´t even give you a fraction of what an in-person MBA would give you, and I wouldn´t advice you to do so at all, regardless of MBB.
Hope it helps!
Cheers,
Clara
