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5 Tips for Applying to Online MBA Programs

By U.S. News & World Report

Applying to online MBA programs requires just as much time and effort as applying to traditional programs, experts say.

In both, the primary components of applications — GMAT or GRE scores, essays, transcripts and letters of recommendation — are essentially the same. The main difference, experts say, is the applicant pool, as online MBA students are usually older — with many in their early 30s — and have at least a few more years of professional experience than those taking the traditional route.

This distinction oftentimes causes online applicants to portray themselves differently in their applications than on-campus students do, and plays a role in determining the questions that admissions officers ask.

Traditional applicants “are going to a full-time program to leave their job and maybe pursue another avenue, versus an online program — you’re going to be staying in your job as a working professional and moving through that program,” says Dan Bursch, program director of MBA@UNC, the online MBA at the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill‘s Kenan-Flagler Business School.

[Understand why online MBA programs may offer an easier admissions path.]

To ensure that their application process is successful, online MBA applicants should consider the following five tips.

1. Set aside ample time for your applications: Especially for online learners, who are often balancing other responsibilities with their education, it’s essential to set aside enough time to give the application their best effort.

Applications that tend to shine are those where it is clear that the applicant really took the time to complete it, says William Rieth, director of graduate enrollment management at Temple University‘s Fox School of Business.

“You should know when the application deadlines are for the program, and you should be setting a goal to complete different application documents along that timeline,” Rieth says.

When Scott Grady, a student in Temple University’s online MBA program, completed his application, he blocked off time in his daily schedule to understand what it’s like to have to juggle academic responsibilities with other obligations.

“The way I scheduled the time I spent working on those essays helped me to kind of replicate for my family what it would feel like if I locked myself in the home office for a good bit of every day or so,” the 38-year-old says.

2. Emphasize work experience: Online MBA program applicants should highlight their work experience and detail how online learning will allow them to continue their career success, experts say.

“The more seasoned you are, the more valuable you are to the MBA program,” says Phil Powell, faculty chair of online graduate programs at the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. “If you’ve worked for some top-notch companies, that also helps your case.”

In addition to ensuring that applicants can balance their job with their online education, admissions officers also want to know that a prospective student will be able to “tether the concepts that they’re learning in the classroom back to the experience that they’ve had in business,” says Rieth, of Temple University.

[Discover time management tips for online students.]

Grady says highlighting his work experience was an essential part of his essays.

“I wanted to make sure that I was able to give a pretty solid, accurate picture of what kind of employee I am and what kind of person I am,” he says.

3. Know why you are enrolling in an online program: During the interview and application processes, admissions officers may want to know why applicants are pursuing a program in the online format and how they plan to balance work and school, experts say.

Bursch says an applicant’s reasoning becomes part of his or her larger story. Applicants should also note how the technological skills they would gain through an online program would benefit them in their career, he says.

“In today’s business world, that additional skill set is critical to the multinational and global corporations we see a lot of our students in,” he says.

4. Show your interest: Powell suggests applicants clearly communicate their interest in the program. They can visit the actual campus if they have the time, attend a recruiting event in a location nearby or speak with a program official or admissions officer on the phone.

Just because it’s an online program, doesn’t mean that human-to-human contact or communication won’t help them in the application process, says Powell, of Indiana University.

“Express interest, more than just an email or an inquiry,” he suggests.

[Take these steps to find the right online degree program.]

5. Take the interview seriously: Many of the top online MBA programs require an interview in the application process.

For the MBA@UNC program, for instance, students connect with an interviewer through the W eb-conferencing software Adobe Connect so that the interviewer gets a sense of how they interact in the same technological space they would use in the program.

“The interview is an amazing opportunity for students to add color commentary to their application,” says Rieth, of Temple. “They’re able to tell their stories.”

Trying to fund your online education? Get tips and more in the U.S. News Paying for Online Education center.

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5 Tips for Applying to Online MBA Programs originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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