Tag: business school guidance

Everyone knows that customized means quality; we would all look much better in a suit made just for us than we would in one we bought off the rack.

WashU Olin Business School offers different types of MBA programs tailored to fit the diverse needs of students at different stages in their careers. The Full-Time MBA works best for students who can leave their jobs and dedicate their time solely to the program.

The Online MBA appeals most to those who can’t leave a full-time job yet want to be digitally enabled leaders—or who just need more flexibility. Olin’s Professional MBA offers evening classes in-person twice a week for the first 27 hours, then the opportunity to choose from various specializations to finish the degree. The Executive MBA allows busy, experienced professionals to attend class just three days per month and focuses on leadership skills throughout the curriculum.

People in various stages of their careers all have strong options with the types of MBA degrees at Olin, and candidates in all four categories will be steeped in digital opportunities and resources. “What type of MBA is right for me?” Well, let’s see:

All in: WashU’s Full-Time MBA option

WashU’s Full-Time MBA program is designed for students who can leave their jobs and commit their days fully to the program. It offers students opportunities for rich global business experience in several major cities around the world. The Full-Time MBA students will also get the full on-campus experience that Olin Business School has to offer.

The Full-Time Program also lets students choose a customized curriculum based on their specific interests. For example, WashU’s program concentrations offer tracks for consulting, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing and supply chain. Students can tailor their MBA experience to their career goals.

Where flexibility meets technology: WashU’s Online MBA

Olin understands that professional students need flexibility, and technology and flexibility go hand-in-hand. WashU’s Online MBA is firmly rooted in the knowledge that technology is rapidly changing the world; thus, the degree requirements frame all classes through the lens of a digitally driven business landscape. Like all WashU MBA programs, the progressive curriculum is built on Olin’s values-based, data-driven leadership framework.

In Olin’s Online MBA, students meet both synchronously and asynchronously. Two nights a week, students are together in a virtual classroom, and on the other nights, they work independently or collaborate virtually. Although the program emphasizes technology, it focuses on technology as a strategic advantage that students can use as leaders and not just on developing technological skills.

The professional approach: WashU’s PMBA

WashU’s Professional MBA (PMBA) requires students to attend class in person twice per week, typically on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Students garner 27 hours of core credits, then they have an additional 27 hours in which they can specialize and focus.

Olin has designed the PMBA for the worker who doesn’t want to leave their job but wants to elevate both their skillset and career. The average student in this program has been working for five or six years and is around 30 years old. To cultivate their professional careers, students have access to a robust alumni network and exposure to corporate partners.

Experience counts: Olin’s Executive MBA program

Lasting just 20 months, Olin’s Executive MBA program moves at the most intensive rate of all the programs. Most participants in the Executive MBA Program already rank highly on the corporate ladder. By pursuing an Executive MBA, they collect the knowledge and skills crucial to making it to the executive or C-suite level.

WashU’s Executive MBA students, who generally range around 40 years old, attend class just three days per month—on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. They also participate in three additional residencies or immersive experiences. A marked difference in this program comes from the wealth of experience of the collective students. With the average Executive MBA student having 15 to 20 years of working experience, the classroom conversation builds with the collective wisdom of the cohort.

Olin’s MBA meets students where they are

Regardless of which program a WashU Olin MBA student chooses, they will find certain inalienable traits: an emphasis on entrepreneurial and creative thinking that goes across all programs; experiential world-class learning; and highly ranked, dedicated faculty. During their time in the program, students will build a robust network of accomplished classmates, and WashU alumni and business leaders willingly meet students wherever they are in their career journeys.

WashU’s Olin MBA Program is committed to creating leaders who make change for good. That is the unifying principle the program’s directors keep central by offering cutting-edge, rigorous, world-class programs more accessible to today’s top professionals.

If you’re tentatively looking forward to beginning an online MBA program or just considering whether such a program might work for you, knowing more about an MBA’s time commitment and workload could help you prepare.

Time commitment and workload are two of the most common subjects we address with prospective students.

What is the commitment for an MBA leadership online degree?

The time commitment for Olin’s Online MBA requirements is 15 to 20 hours per week, or three courses per semester. Over the course of the semester, there are eight live sessions plus class group activities and your own personal work. You can put in more hours if you feel like you want or need them, but 15-20 is our aim as instructors.

The cohort-based nature of the program calls for students to be active and community-minded. Workload will vary from course to course, week to week, and professor to professor. If you find a particular course more challenging, you’ll want to spend more time engaging with your classmates to increase your understanding. Students may be surprised at how often they interact with classmates, but those who are willing to share and ask questions with their cohort will have the most rewarding MBA experience.

The other variable affecting workload will be your personal life. We speak to students all the time about navigating their home commitments. It may sound counter-intuitive, but we always tell students to put their personal lives first. Take time for yourself and your relationships; if you don’t take care of your personal life first, the program becomes a moot point when there isn’t any room in your life.

What kind of support will you be given in an online MBA?

The best thing about Olin’s Online MBA program is how much support you’re able to receive as a student. Here’s a rundown of the resources that will help ease that workload and time commitment:

Professor support

Students often debate online MBA programs versus traditional programs and assume that the online path involves less individualized mentoring and contact with professors. In actuality, our professors spend a lot of time creating and delivering support mechanisms to individual students, online and in-person.

The cohort

The cohort is a major support structure ingrained within the program that students can lean on. Everyone in the cohort is having a similar experience, and they can help each other navigate through the program. They can be sounding boards for career ideas, can offer resources to help with financial or academic struggles, and can provide the social support that will make getting an online MBA degree worth it.

The Weston Career Center

If career planning is overwhelming, the Weston Career Center is there to help you plan and consider your options. While you’re studying for your online MBA, your course commitments require a lot of focus, but you also want to get prepared for life after the program. The WCC is there to get to know your ambitions and aspirations on an individual level and help you achieve them.

A personal support network

There are many other supporters in our immediate network, from course and subject tutors to the admissions team and financial services, who have a unique angle on the online MBA experience and what students are going through.

Advisors are in constant communication with students. It’s a job and a passion for many. Students may feel like they don’t want to bother an advisor, but that’s what they’re there for; it can be really helpful for students to get individualized mentoring and talk through their experiences.

The Center for Digital Education

The Center for Digital Education is the large support mechanism behind the learn.WashU online platform. The CDE has state-of-the-art recording facilities where the information in courses you take is produced and polished by the faculty and the e-learning support team. This also includes teams checking to make sure accessible features are working and available. MBA students can also find innovative resources to take the lead and guide the digital experience of the course.

The platform itself

The learn.WashU platform has been created expressly to connect and enable student cohorts to complete our MBA degree requirements. It’s a proprietary learning management system, with interactive classrooms, research tools, and many ways to personalize the technology to better serve your needs. Students really love it. It also has a “lifelong learning” component, so even after the course requirements are done, you can stay connected to the educational environment.

When beginning or even just looking into accredited online MBA programs, many prospective students wonder how they’ll make it work for them and whether they’ll be sufficiently supported. They may even just be wondering how much time they’ll need to spend achieving this qualification, and how much work they’ll need to put in. Empower your decision with information, and find out more about what an online MBA degree could do for your life and your career.

Financial aid dominates prospective students’ questions and concerns before they arrive on campus or log into their first virtual class.

As you consider whether an online MBA is for you, you’ll probably weigh the cost of an online MBA and wonder what financial-aid options are available to you. It’s important to know where to go and whom to speak to as you try and find answers to those questions.

How much does an online MBA cost, and how does financial aid work?

The online MBA is a unique program because it is entirely online. It comes with its own network of specialized resources, but it also belongs to Olin’s broader collection of course resources. The good news for prospective students is that the course’s online nature doesn’t preclude them from financial-aid options.

The online MBA program has a flat cost associated with it. How students balance that cost depends on the financing options available to them, where they’re coming from and what support they have access to.

For instance, some students will be connected to corporate support, and part of their arrangement in attending an MBA program will be that their employer will pay a portion of their tuition. For students with corporate support, they will still need guidance from the Olin team to get the right documents and tuition statements to their employer’s financial team. They may also need other forms of financing if the corporate sponsor can only pay off tuition fees after grades are posted.

This is just one example of a student’s pathway to funding; our job at Olin financial services is to find out what your best pathway will be and help you discover and apply for the options that make the best sense for you.

For everyone, the quest for financial aid begins at the application stage. A quick eligibility check will consider citizenship status and other factors and prepare a collection of options for you. Then, you’ll want to visit the Graduate Programs Financial Services website, where we can guide you through your particular pipeline toward funding your program—whether it’s through corporate support, loans, external scholarships, or a combination of all of those things.

What are your options for financial aid?

If you’re a prospective or incoming student attending the online MBA program, there are several financial-aid options you can explore.

• Federal student aid

The Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first port of call for many graduate students. You can explore grants, loans and scholarships that are available through the government at the student aid website, but you’re not alone while seeking these options—the Olin team will help guide you through them, too.

• Private sponsorships

Some employers may offer support for employees looking to get their MBA online. Asking for sponsorship can be a little daunting if it’s not freely offered, so on Olin’s website, we have a letter template you can download and adapt to your situation.

• External scholarships

Scholarships are available from outside sources and charities such as the Aga Khan Foundation, which offers a limited number of scholarships each year to students from developing countries. Depending on your circumstances, we can help you find opportunities outside the university.

• WashU Olin Business School scholarships for MBA

We have several forms of in-house support available for individuals in the online MBA program. If you’re dedicated to using your career to help others, you might be eligible for our Nonprofit Scholarship. If you’re a woman building leadership skills through the MBA, you might qualify for the Women’s Leadership Scholarship. Or you might qualify for the Military Scholarship; the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship; or the Entrepreneurship Scholarship.

Talk to us at the financial services office for more information about these and other opportunities for Olin funding.

What’s the first thing you should do when seeking financial aid?

With a process like financial aid, the steps involved can feel a little big and scary until you know what you’re doing. Before you navigate the different financial-aid options available to you, set up an appointment to talk about the process ahead.

The financial aid team is ready and available to talk to students—both through group presentations and one-on-one sessions—so make use of this resource. University staff has seen every possible financial situation, so they can individualize their responses to your particular needs and worries.

In short, don’t let concerns about financial aid keep you from leaping into MBA life. Get all the help you possibly can from people who think about financial aid day in and day out. After all, figuring out finances is just one of the necessary steps in the rewarding journey toward getting an MBA. Once that’s settled, the sky is the limit.

When you feel the time is right to apply to an MBA program, you want the process to be as productive, rewarding and streamlined as possible. And the most effective way to achieve that goal is by being pragmatic and practical about the steps you take to get an MBA.

The first step—and arguably the most essential—involves choosing between all the available MBA programs. Every MBA program offers something unique, so take your time to study your choices. Be sure to ask yourself not just what the program can offer as you build your future but what you can bring to the program as well.

For instance, at WashU Olin, we focus on crafting MBA cohorts that are diverse in every sense of the word. There’s no specific “cookie-cutter” candidate. That’s why we holistically review all applications. If you want to look competitive to Olin’s team, you should be someone who can demonstrate that you value equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), have the passion to lead, want to make an impact and are seeking an MBA to expand on those values.

Once you’ve narrowed down your top MBA program picks based on your research, you can start mapping out the various MBA admission requirements you’ll need.

What do you need to apply for an MBA?

Though not every MBA program requires you to apply with the same documents, some items are fairly standard. Many programs require standardized tests like the GMAT and GRE—or if you’re an international student, TOEFL or IELTS.

With plenty of requirements to juggle between the different programs you might be applying to, consider getting advice from a recruiter at each preferred MBA program. At Olin, our recruiters strive to know every applicant and are well-equipped to provide suggestions regarding testing, documentation and life around campus.

Another common request from MBA programs is at least one letter of recommendation. Don’t delay when it comes to reaching out to mentors, managers or colleagues. They’ll need enough time to create a letter based on your desire for an MBA. Plus, they’ll need to know how each MBA program’s recommendation process works. Be sure to give your references a comfortable runway to create and submit a letter well in advance of any deadlines.

While your references are crafting letters, you can expect to be crafting essays. No matter how many MBA programs you want to apply to, you should write a new essay for each program. Therefore, give yourself the bandwidth to get them all done. The people who evaluate your MBA application can tell if you’ve submitted a generic essay because it won’t be pertinent to the prompt or the program.

Finally, gather all those transcripts and test scores. Olin only requires unofficial transcripts but another program might have different parameters. Regardless, you’ll want the needed documents on hand so that you can upload everything at once prior to the final MBA application timeline.

Tips regarding how to stand out in an MBA application

Aside from knowing all the MBA application requirements associated with your preferred programs, you have other ways to stand out. Below are some tips to help you apply with confidence.

Leave yourself enough time to retake tests.

If you decide to take the GMAT or GRE as part of your MBA application, allot enough time to retake it. Sometimes, the first test score you get isn’t the one you’d like to submit. By leaving enough time, you have a chance to study and try again. Though you can’t change any low undergraduate quantitative scores or grades, a strong recent test score (as well as a good essay) can showcase your abilities now.

Conduct some mock interviews.

Part of the application process at Olin requires completing a KIRA video screening interview. That video helps the team know more about you. You may want to practice beforehand by interviewing online with trusted friends, family members or mentors. Use any constructive feedback to ensure your video presentation accurately reflects who you are. Be sure to dress as you would for an in-person interview. And always prepare in a quiet, well-lit space so you can relax and have fun with the experience.

Devote quality time to writing your essays.

Your essays are essential to your MBA application. It’s easy to tell if you’ve contemplated your MBA application essay versus just dashing it off. If you’re unsure if your essay reads well or stands up against your prompt, ask someone in your life to read your essay. Then, ask them to tell you what they assume the prompt was. Their response will help you know if your essay is aligned with the prompt or if you need to make adjustments.

Attend in-person or virtual sessions and events.

MBA programs frequently offer online and on-campus information sessions, open office hours and other events. These forums provide you with a touchpoint to connect with recruiters and current members of the MBA program community. You also may have the chance to meet with other prospective students. Additionally, you’ll hear the questions they’re asking, which may help you determine if the MBA program is the right one for your goals.

I’m ready to apply! What does Olin require for admission?

We respect your time and attempt to make the application process as clear and straightforward as we can at Olin. In order to make the best decisions possible about the candidacy of every applicant, we request that you submit any and all relevant information in a completed, online application. The requirements include:

• One-page resume
• Two required essays (and a third optional one)
• Standardized test scores (The GMAT or GRE are recommended for Olin; both domestic and international students would want to consider submitting one of them.)
• Academic transcripts (unofficial)
• Application video
• One professional recommendation

Applying for MBA programs might seem overwhelming at first. Just take a moment and breathe. As long as you start early, you can get through all the steps to get into an MBA program. And once you’re accepted, you’ll be able to move your career to the next level.

If you have questions along the way, email OlinGradAdmissions@wustl.edu or call 314-935-7301. Our admissions team is ready to help you continue your career goals.

We are entering a new era in education. Learners of all ages have experienced a significant life change over these past few years, and their expectations for a traditional university environment have been blown apart.

As such, it is more important than ever for MBA programs to be able to evolve. The pandemic has changed the way we all work, the way careers look and the ways in which businesses operate. For students to be prepared to enter the new world of work, all levels of schooling will need to drastically adjust the online learning environments and resources that are being created.

Dynamism has always been a vital part of an MBA program, whether online or on campus, but people are increasingly realizing the power and potential of a great online MBA experience. By including many types of support and with faculty collaborating to produce comprehensive materials, digital technology can power an even more personal and engaging learning experience for students.

How is an online MBA program meeting students where they’re at?

Accredited online MBA programs are best suited to serve students in this unique time due to the very platform they’re based on—fully virtual classrooms. Online programs are more suitable for a wider variety of students by offering the same fundamentals, learning modules, teaching quality and admissions standards while still being flexible. This ensures that people with different scheduling, financial and accessibility needs have access to higher education.

One wonderful thing about a more flexible program is the range of students it attracts. The online MBA draws a diverse population of students—different backgrounds, languages, industry experiences, religions, etc.—and the program becomes richer because of this diversity. It also means that great instructors are drawn to the program, too.

At Olin, our online MBA has a support network that acts like a scaffold, providing a firm foundation so all learners and instructors can progress through the program together. Instructional designers work with production specialists to create great, supportive materials. The digital publishing team follows that up with digital textbooks that evolve to meet how students are actually learning. Then, eLearning Support Assistants are there to help students in real-time as they navigate their education experience.

Additionally, our courses are produced and accessible through our Center for Digital Education and our proprietary learning platform, learn.WashU. The Center for Digital Education provides staff support through dedicated studio facilities that can record large quantities of high-quality digital materials. The learn.WashU platform gives students a reliable and engaging virtual environment, like a digital campus. Platform resources are individualized for students to offer personal guidance, while access to data means feedback and adjustments can happen immediately.

How is the online MBA evolving to meet student needs?

As the future of business leadership shifts and reforms, an online MBA program is only as good as its ability to evolve. Here’s what we’re doing at Olin to ensure we continue to be the best place for students to develop MBA leadership skills:

Using feedback to grow

Students’ needs and expectations are in flux, so it’s important that providers are constantly listening to students’ thoughts and concerns. We have multiple evaluation mechanisms so that, even within a term, we can make adjustments to the way we teach, organize and communicate. We use qualitative feedback to help us make a learning experience that evolves through data-driven feedback.

Preparing students for a hybrid world

The world of work demands a lot from today’s graduates, and at the forefront of Olin’s mission is to prepare students to enter this world. How to apply for digital-first jobs and succeed. How to communicate the potential of digitalization to employers. How to help others to innovate their processes. These are the MBA leadership skills that we’re nurturing in our students so that they can become the future of business leadership.

Drilling down into MBA fundamentals

Our focus on digital experiences and learning does not mean we’re forgetting about the foundations of MBA skills development. The core principles of MBA learning form the structure of our program, but at the same time, we live and breathe a digital approach so that all of our courses and conversations are colored by the needs of the data-driven business landscape that surrounds us—including AI, cloud infrastructure, and the challenges of remote and hybrid operations.

By focusing our program on dynamic online learning, we deliberately and actively prepare MBA students for a business world that is changing all the time. By offering a safe but ambitious digital-first environment, we show our cohorts that anything is possible in this new world.

“What type of MBA is right for me?” Have you found yourself pondering that question lately? It’s no secret that MBA programs can be demanding, and time is limited for many people. Full-time programs entail upwards of 27 hours per week between classes and outside work, and part-time programs can extend a degree track by years. This can leave few viable options for working professionals who are looking to develop leadership skills or change careers.

The Executive MBA—a more flexible program than the traditional MBA—is designed for senior-level individuals balancing work and/or family who want to advance their careers, change fields, or even switch industries altogether. If this sounds like you but you’re not sure whether an EMBA is the right choice, we recommend starting with these additional questions.

1. What works best with your lifestyle?

Deciding the best next step for you starts with considering your current circumstances. What other components of life are you trying to balance, such as traveling for work or attending to aspects of your personal life that require a lot of time? The things you’re balancing now are unlikely to disappear once you begin an MBA program. If you are balancing a lot, you need a program that’s as flexible as you are.

2. Where would you like to be in your career?

EMBA candidates often are professionals who would like to advance further in their field but feel like they’re missing the necessary skills or background to do so. MBA programs can help to fill in those gaps by providing an immersive experience, allowing students to receive personalized leadership coaching and lean on individualized mentoring from faculty. They also create opportunities to experience the intersection between business and policy through international residencies.

These real-life situations boost a person’s confidence in their business skills and acumen. They can also help you strategize for how you’re going to use what you’re learning to advance your career. If you’re looking to do something entirely different professionally, these experiences can help you gain wisdom from exposure to the diverse student cohort and feel confident changing careers.

3. Where do you want to go next?

An Executive MBA can be great for people looking to branch out. You’ll work directly with executives from different areas and industries in your cohort programs. You’ll have the chance to learn and grow with people from different backgrounds, industries, and educational histories. These connections can serve you for years to come—be it with advice, support or further career opportunities.

They can also help you look at situations from a variety of perspectives and enhance your problem-solving skills. Students in Olin’s EMBA program have seen improvements in areas like critical thinking, emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and communication—all of which go a long way toward making them better team players and enable them to build stronger, more positive relationships with their colleagues. For somebody looking to make a career change, a strong foundation in these soft skills can be an invaluable asset.

4. What is your why?

MBA skills development focuses primarily on leadership. If leadership is your career focus, then it would be hard to overstate the Executive MBA benefits and career impact. These programs are more than just a curriculum or coursework. You’re constantly challenged by faculty and fellow students. It’s the perfect simulation for handling the diverse opinions and backgrounds of an actual leadership setting.

The EMBA at Olin When you choose to pursue an Executive MBA at Olin, you’re choosing to pursue more than just a degree. Every course, every project, every connection, and every residency builds on itself to provide a well-rounded experience that you can take into the real world. The goal is to make your education practical and applicable—an immediate and ongoing return on your investment.