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There’s another option for any of you somewhat older, somewhat GMAT-averse types.
The Cornell EMBA.
Not the Cornell-Queen’s EMBA, which is a distance-learning/distributed/virtual classroom thingymabob with Cornell in partnership with Queen’s College. Apparently with that one, you are awarded with not one but TWO MBA degrees.
Not sure what two MBAs will get you that one will not. Especially since nobody’s heard of the Queen’s MBA (at least not in this country). Might actually be better to leave that one off the resume, frankly. That’s pretty wild advice, we realize — after all, if you got two MBAs, then shoot, why not tell the world! But anyone who has ONE MBA will wonder what’s up with all that and in our very opinionated opinion, the Cornell MBA would have more weight than this aglomination of the Cornell-Queen’s thingamajiggy. But we digress. And likely are offending people right and left.
Back on topic. Getting into bschool without the GMAT.
The Cornell EMBA does not require a GMAT score. No, they don’t require the GRE either. Now, apparently they “may” ask you to take the GMAT, if they need “additional evidence to support a candidate’s academic preparedness for the program”. Or in other words, if your academics are too sketchy.
Some info about this program is here. Average age is 36. Tuition is a whopping $145k. It’s designed for working professionals. You’ll lose most of your weekends plus a full week a quarter for nearly two years. The week-long residencies are in Ithaca at the Cornell campus with the weekends at IBM’s Palisades complex north of Manhattan.
Sorry, let’s put that tuition into perspective, shall we?
Columbia is one of the most expensive, if not THE most expensive, MBAs around. Their current estimates of expenses for the two-year full-time program are $168,307. BUT THIS INCLUDES THE COST OF LIVING IN NYC FOR TWO YEARS!! WTF Cornell — $150k?? Really?!? That doesn’t include any room/board expenses, does it? Nor the commute from wherever you live (CT, MA, NJ, NY) to the residencies/weekend sessions. This EMBA appears to be a profit center for the Johnson School.
BUT… maybe it’s worthwhile.
The advantages?
– You don’t have to quit your job
– You don’t have to sell your house and move
– You don’t have to uproot your family
[These first three are obviously relevant for older types. You know, people with houses and families. Which is clearly who this program is targeted to]
– You don’t have to take the GMAT
– Your company might pay for some/all of it
– You don’t have to take the GMAT
– You still get the networking and butt-in-seat benefits of an education in front of a real live professor. Rather than these online MBA options that are popping up all over these days.
– You don’t have to take the GMAT.
So if you’re really not liking the GMAT, and you’re of standard bschool age (i.e., in your 20s), then why not just skip it, wait a few years (or ten) and then cough up this $150k (or whatever it’ll be down the road) for the Cornell option?
Actually, the Cornell-Queen’s EMBA website says that advanced degree holders may inquire about getting a waiver on the GMAT. So it may not be required there, either.
Keep in mind as you’re evaluating your options what you will actually get. If you’re 36 years old and going to get your MBA — that means you’re like 38 when you graduate — how much more additional earning power is it really gonna get you at that stage??
Might be worthwhile. But might be worth some additional thinking too.
Tell us what you think.