Hello everyone. I’d like some general opinions on part time vs full time MBA programs, as I have been accepted to a good university that offers both options, with matching scholarships… In my situation, I am fully employed at the moment through a family business, the only job I’ve had post my BA, but it is a company on the decline, so it is not a long term plan. As an aspiring entrepreneur, I would like to do a program that would allow me to build a network. Full-time is enticing for that reason alone. My age isn’t a factor as I will be 30 years old in two years at the time of completion for either program.
Part time on the other hand, would allow me to not accumulate as much debt and I could keep my easy family job on the side, or likely take on some employment opportunities through the school’s career services and get out to see what I enjoy best… Additionally, the part-time entrepreneurial alumni at a social mixer told me that the fulltime program is actually a detriment since students don’t have experience, and additionally, lose contact after graduation. But my fear is that most part-time students will go to class and immediately go home, making no effort to network because they are busy with their fulltime jobs as a priority.
So I am evenly split right now on the direction I’d like to go. I know both are good options, but I’d appreciate some opinions on part time and full time and any experiences. Thank you, and all opinions are welcome
It is grueling to work and attend school part time. Not impossible, but very challenging.
Your assessment on networking is pretty accurate. You will make better contacts in a full time program. It wasn’t one of my main reasons for getting the MBA, so didn’t bother me much, though.
Most full time programs (esp at top schools) expect their students to come in with experience. But you don’t say what the school is.
No one has to lose contact after graduation in today’s social media world (hope you have a LinkedIn profile by now).
You give up a couple years of salary if you go with the full time program.
From your very general description it sounds like the part time option MAY be better at your particular school. If most people in the full time MBA are straight out of undergrad the networking may not prove to be all that beneficial and you likely would fee more comfortable with the (presumably) more mature peer group in the part time program. And minimizing debt is always a positive.
But not knowing any details, it is hard to give a solid opinion. Since the school must be pretty local, I would spend more time doing research on the two options See if you can make an appointment to talk the the dean of the MBA program to get more information, try to make an appointment with career services at the college to see if they see a difference in how part-time and full-time MBA graduates are placed etc.
Great insight! Thanks a lot! Apologies, the school is Pepperdine in Malibu, CA. It’s #65 in usnews business schools, but it is local and with a great scholarship… happy1, you touched on a topic in the exact words that the part time program told me!! They claim their connections are stronger because fulltime has a younger core and people fresh from undergrad. The average age is low 20’s for fulltime, while for this particular part time program is 28, my exact age… It has just been tough because both programs claim they are a better option. It’s hard to tell what is true.
I would go with the more experienced group and work to make connections if it were me. I think you learn more in classes with people with experience, and you’d likely have the same profs either way.
