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NYU Full or Part-Time

by mth1212 » Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:39 pm
Hello,

I am currently trying to decide between full and part time MBA programs. I live and work in NYC so NYU is high on my list of potential schools. I had been learning towards the part time program mainly because I am really looking for career advancement rather than a wholesale change and my work would cover a significant portion of my tuition. However, after doing some more research I was surprised to see such a large differential in the class profile of the part-time compared to full time program. I am concerned that a degree from Langone doesn't carry the same pedigree as a degree from Stern's full time program. My GMAT score was 740 and I am confident that I would be a strong candidate for either program. I would greatly appreciate any information that can be offered on the following:

1. Do you end up with the same degree from both programs? I am concerned that my part-time degree would be from Langone rather than Stern and not be viewed as a top tier program.
2. Am I correct in my assumption that less stringent entry requirements equates to a less prestigious program?
3. Off topic, but is anyone familiar with the scholarships offered to part time students. The website says they offer scholarships based on academic merit but I can't find any further details on how many are offered, how much they might cover, etc. This would weigh heavily on my decision since my employer wouldn't cover the full cost.

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.
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by essaysnark » Fri Oct 07, 2011 11:58 am
Great questions, mth1212! Let's see what we can do to help out.

1. Yes, you receive the exact same degree from either NYU program. It doesn't say "Langone" anywhere; it's just an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. On your resume, you would cite the credential the same in either case. Nobody would know you went through the part-time program unless you told them.

2. It is easier to get into the Langone program, only because there's less competition. This is true for ANY part-time program at any top bschool; there are simply fewer people who are geographically close enough to take advantage of the part-time option. Thus, the admissions requirements are somewhat more relaxed so that the school can fill the class. But, it's still competitive - we've seen plenty of people turned away! Typically your observation might be correct - a less-competitive admissions process generally means it's a less-prestigious MBA. But for the P/T programs at the top schools like NYU, Kellogg, Booth, or UC-Berkeley, this is just not the case. You'd get a GREAT education through the Langone option, just as you would through the F/T Stern track.
3. Those schools that have P/T MBAs are often less liberal in awarding scholarship money to those students compared to the F/T track people, simply because you'd be working simultaneously, thus there's less financial strain for you. You should ask that question directly of the Stern financial aid office though to see what they say.

We wrote a post about some of these issues last year:

https://essaysnark.blocked/2010/07/ ... to-pt.html

The one factor that you haven't mentioned here is: What is the quality of life? Doing the MBA *and* working at the same time can be really challenging, plus it would be dragged out longer than the F/T track, obviously. And most would agree that it's just not the same experience. Being able to drop everything and focus exclusively on school for two years is a totally different opportunity than trying to divide yourself.

If you're not changing careers though, you don't necessarily need all that - and coming out the other side with less debt would obviously be a huge win.

Hope this helps, feel free to drop further questions if you have any!
EssaySnark

PS: Congrats on that awesome GMAT score!!!!! Yes you should be in good shape with that - it'll open some doors for you. NYU does care about high test scores so that's an advantage for you.
EssaySnark has MBA application guides for HBS, Stanford, Booth, Wharton, NYU and pretty much any other school you can name - including a fully revised and expanded 2015 Columbia essay guide!
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by mth1212 » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:00 am
EssaySnark,

Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response. I've been struggling with this decision for a few weeks now and its great to hear from someone more experienced with the whole process.

The advantages of keeping my salary, continuing to advance in my career and coming out with less debt far outweigh the work/life balance concern in my current situation. I also completed the CFA exams while working at my current job so I'm confident that I can make the MBA work as well.

Are you familiar with EMBA programs in the NYC area? Based on the research I've done, it looks like that is the only option at Columbia in terms of part time. Unfortunately, my employer is very hesitant to sponsor executive MBA's because of former employees leaving the company after receiving time off and 100% reimbursement while completing the programs. Do you know if this is truly the only part time option at Columbia? In addition, are there any advantages to the EMBA over part-time other than the fact that you get through it quicker?

Thanks for the kind words on the GMAT score. I actually studied for the exam thinking I would be applying to top tier full time programs. A few things have changed both at work and in my personal life that are now making the part time route more attractive. This was part of my concern with part time programs. Studying like crazy for a high score felt like a waste of time to settle for a second tier program. I'm very relieved to hear NYU's part time program has a strong reputation.
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by essaysnark » Sat Oct 08, 2011 11:23 am
Hi mth1212,

The NYU Langone program is the only part-time MBA in the Northeast.

Several great schools in the NYC area have EMBA programs (if you include Wharton, and NYU too of course) -- including a new track at Columbia called the Saturday-Only EMBA, which offers one matriculation in May each year. The original NY-based Columbia EMBA has been renamed the Friday/Saturday EMBA, and as you'd expect, it requires sponsorship from your employer for time off to participate, since classes are held on Fridays.

Neither of these Columbia EMBAs require financial sponsorship from the employer, but both do require you to have a full-time job. The good news with this new Saturday-Only EMBA is that it allows you to complete the program with minimal impact to your job -- and you do NOT need any formal sponsorship letter from your company. Here are these two EMBA options as Columbia explains them: https://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/emba/options/new-york

Now all that being said....... EssaySnark thinks you may get more out of NYU P/T. It is a different profile of student in the Columbia EMBA program, and in our very (!) biased opinion, it is *not* the same experience as the standard F/T Columbia MBA. We've seen Columbia loosen their standards fairly dramatically in terms of who they've been accepting to these EMBA tracks; no offense to anyone who may be listening, but they don't seem to be the same caliber. And, EMBA students tend to be quite a bit older than the 'regular' MBA students - Columbia EMBA students are often in their 30s, and that is common but not frequent with Sternies. Average age of the Stern P/T student is 28.

Without knowing your full story or what you want to do with it, and even though we love Columbia, we still would recommend the Stern P/T program over Columbia EMBA if you're thinking of doing your MBA in the NYC area while keeping your job.

Keep in mind though: Some people have been known to commute to Chicago for the P/T programs there - it's pretty crazy but we've heard of it, both for Booth and for Kellogg. Not sure why you'd do that over Stern but it's happened.

If you were considering Columbia F/T over NYU, we could easily come down on the Columbia side. But if you're going to do work + school, then NYU sounds like the best choice, in our personal opinion.

Of course, we haven't even mentioned the Columbia J-Term.... that's an accelerated 16-month full-time MBA, it's the exact-same Columbia F/T MBA but without the summer internship. You probably don't want to do that for the same reasons you don't want to do any F/T MBA, but thought we'd toss it out there.

EssaySnark
EssaySnark has MBA application guides for HBS, Stanford, Booth, Wharton, NYU and pretty much any other school you can name - including a fully revised and expanded 2015 Columbia essay guide!
https://essaysnark.com/bookstore/
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The Indians' Guide to Getting In maps out everything you need to evaluate your own profile and select your schools. https://essaysnark.com/ssguide/quicksnar ... ans-guide/
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