<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I have the option of getting either a free MBA or MPA from Clark. Their programs aren't ranked, but the degree is free. Also, I'm not terribly interested in business. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>Why do you want an MBA or MPA?</p>
<p>A “free” degree is not “free” - the opportunity cost of spending two years as a graduate student is significant. If you have no desire to pursue careers related to those two degrees, why would you waste two years getting one of them?</p>
<p>You’re correct about that, which is where I think I was mistaken as a senior in high school without any real guidance from either my parents or my guidance counselor. Part of the reason I chose Clark was the 5th year program, but the options for a political science major are pretty limited ([Graduate</a> Admissions | Clark University](<a href=“Accelerated B.A./Master's Programs | Clark University”>Accelerated B.A./Master's Programs | Clark University)). It’s an accelerated one year Master’s degree, but the cost of spending another year in school + the room and board costs is still high. On the other hand, I feel like I’m throwing away $50,000 if I don’t pursue at least one of the degrees.</p>
<p>Double post:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/business-school-mba/1409522-tuition-free-clark-mba.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/business-school-mba/1409522-tuition-free-clark-mba.html</a></p>
<p>Employers generally don’t want to hire MBAs with no experience, especially an MBA from an unranked program with no experience. It’s not free if you have to spend another year’s tuition, fees, room, and board. And you have no interest in working in business, so no, I wouldn’t do it. Even if it were completely free of cost, it’s a waste of your time.</p>
<p>You don’t have to do a 5-year program just because it exists - you should only do it if it’s going to yield some kind of benefit to you.</p>