<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>I'd love to hear some opinions as to an online degree being a hindrance to being accepted to a top MBA program. </p>
<p>I'm 27 years old and will find myself graduating from University of Phoenix Online (Business) in 1.5 years. I've decided to pursue an MBA. I currently have a 3.8 GPA. I'm fairly positive that I can achieve 700+ on my GMAT, and have 7 years of solid work experience (senior level programmer and project manager). Will the UoP degree look bad to someplace like Harvard or Babson? </p>
<p>Any feedback is greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I know there's 1 person at U-Florida (ranked ~ = to Babson) who went to U-P online</p>
<p>Congrats on finishing your degree! By the time you enter b-school (1.5 years + 1 year lead time), you have enough experience to consider the professional EMBA programs. Good option if you are not a career switcher. I am not sure how they count your "post college" work experience. Visit an MBA fair in your area and post the question to the admission officers.</p>
<p>I'll definitely be sure to visit the next available MBA Fair and post questions to a few universities that I'm considering.</p>
<p>You mention lead time of 1 year, and I'm not planning on having any lead time. I would start the application process a few months before I graduate from UoP. Is that frowned upon?</p>
<p>I doubt it but ask the adcom directly - be sure bring a few copies of resume to discuss as some do one-on-one admission counseling sessions. </p>
<p>re: lead time
Most full time programs only accept new students on Fall. So if you graduate on Dec 08, you can't join those programs until Aug/Sept 09. Some part-time MBA/EMBA programs accept students at other times. </p>
<p>Other tips: Start thinking about your story of "why MBA and why now (or then)". Study and take GMAT. Download and look over the application material. See how your stat stacks up against the class profile.</p>
<p>Thank you very much for the advice! I'll be looking at everything very carefully from here on out and making sure that no stone is left unturned.</p>
<p>I really think that if you score a 670+ on the GMAT, you'll get into Babson.</p>