Part time Stern MBA

Dear Pinkhaze:

Thanks so much for your questions regarding positioning yourself for the Langone part-time program.

In both #1 and #2 above you are basically making the point that the part-time program makes financial sense for you and presents a lower opportunity cost.

In #1, take your thoughts one step further. Your company thinks you are worthy of their investment, but they also should immediately reap the benefit of you furthering your business training. This is key. A part-time MBA will allow you to take the classroom learning and put it to work the next day - not in two years after graduation! An essay that clearly states how the part-time MBA will affect your work and leadership development in the almost immediate term can really clarify the case for WHY you need an MBA. For example, if you currently work in finance but believe that marketing classes could help you work on planning projects with the marketing department, this supports you pursuing the part-time option.

With regards to point #2, it is OK to state that working while in business school makes sense for you. Furthermore, consider possibly mentioning that your investment of time in the part-time Langone program is something you are eager to make. A part-time MBA is a considerable time investment, but if you can talk about the networking and/or specific academic and career goals that you will advance via the Langone program, I think you will help an admissions committee see you as a more thoughtful candidate.

Lastly, about a month ago, mbaMIssion posted a blog about the pros and cons of part-time MBA programs, and I thought I would attach the link as an FYI for you.
https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2010/04/ ... -time-mba/

Best of luck!
Jennifer

Wow, thanks a ton for all the useful info!