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MBA Student Life
What is MBA student life like? The answer depends largely on the type of program the student is enrolled in. Think about it, a full-time student will have a much different experience than an executive or distance MBA student. Which ever route your pursue, doing an MBA will require commitment and sacrifice. Student life is an important consideration when choosing an MBA program.
Listed below is a small summary of "typical" student life of MBA students based on the program type they choose:
- Full-Time MBA Student Life: In a full-time MBA program, the MBA program IS the student's life. Full-time students spend plenty of time in the classroom. However, more time is spent outside of the classroom on assignments and projects. Group work also consumes a lot of time. If you are looking to go full-time, get ready to read, read, read; write, write, write; crunch numbers and make presentations. Also get ready to soak up lots of information that you will be tested on.
Many full-time programs do not want students to work during the program, especially during the first year. This could be harder because it is so intense. On the other hand, this could be better because you would not have to deal with work at the same time. Full-time programs last between one and two years, so you focus intensely for a relatively short period of time. - Part-Time MBA Student Life: Student life in a part-time program may not be as intensely focused, but the student has to also contend with work commitments. This adds a whole level of complexity. Classes are done at night or on weekends, so there is virtually no personal free time. As with any MBA program, much of the work goes on outside of the classroom anyway. Part-time students end up squeezing in homework and projects between work and family.
Some part-time programs have a fixed duration, but most are open ended. You take classes when you can and you you are given a window of time to finish. It is common for a part-time student to finish in three to five years. This is the slowly-but-surely approach and may work better for certain types of students. - Executive MBA Student Life: Students in executive MBA programs have the most hectic schedule. The life of an executive or upper-level manager is already consumed by work commitments, not to mention family life. Add to that an MBA program and you really have to balance.
On a positive note, executive programs are tailored to fit their students. These programs were designed with the executive in mind. So it is common for executive MBA programs to last about two years, offer flexible class times, and focus on curriculum more pertinent to executives. - Distance MBA Student Life: Student life for distance MBA students is the most variable among all the program types. Some students take distance classes full-time because they are not close to a MBA school. Other students like the flexibility and take classes part-time. There are even distance MBA programs out there that are for executives.
The biggest draw to distance education is the convenience of place and time. In other words, there is flexibility. However, the life of a distance MBA student will still be filled with reading, writing, assignments, tests, projects, group work etc. - just like any other MBA program.
MBA student life also includes personal lifestyle factors. Depending on your situation, you will have to juggle time commitments with family, school, and possibly work. You also have to consider your family make-up. Doing an MBA will involve some sacrifice from everyone in the family. On the other hand, if you are single, you will need to make time for socializing. So any way you look at it, student life during an MBA program is a juggling act.
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