MBA without a degree???

[md2mba]

Hello, quick question.
I don't have a degree, have about 90 credit hours with subpar gpa from about 7 years ago. I am in med school now (got in because my MCAT score was very high.) and 27. I have owned a landscape business and a Architectural window contracting company, both of which I sold 2 years ago before I came to med school. I want an MBA to help me down the road in my private practice and also to make me more attractive on paper to potential residency coordinators. I would like to enroll in an online/distance program and will require financial aid. Do I need to take the GMAT? Do I need AACSB accred? Most mportantly... do I have a chance??? What should I do????

Thank you!!!

[philipwhite]

In order to enroll in a MBA program you will need a college degree. I'm sure there are some bottomfeederschools that don't but assume you need it. Some schools will let you take MBA elective credits but not core classes before you have a degree so you can get a jumpstart on the MBA.

You will most likely need to take the GMAT. 99% of schools require it. Those that don't usually require some sort of testing. If you plan on doing a MBA then plan on doing the GMAT. The GMAT is like an advance SAT test with an additional writing section.

If your college is AACSB accredited then you know your school is teaching atleast to a recommended standard. Schools that are aacsb accredited are required to have higher educational budgets, more professors teaching, and more money spent on research.

The MBA is not a weekend or 1 hour a day study program. You can't just squeeze it in. You need a lot of time to do it. I remember having several hours of homework everyday when I was in school. Usually you feel like your wrists are going to fall off from all of the typing.

As for what you should do. Thats up to you but if you are serious about the MBA and you want it to reflect positively on your resume, don't take shortcuts. Set aside the time and plan it out. A lot of top schools have excellent part time programs that you could do after you graduated.

[LG800]

Hello, quick question.
I don't have a degree, have about 90 credit hours with subpar gpa from about 7 years ago. I am in med school now (got in because my MCAT score was very high.) and 27. I have owned a landscape business and a Architectural window contracting company, both of which I sold 2 years ago before I came to med school. I want an MBA to help me down the road in my private practice and also to make me more attractive on paper to potential residency coordinators. I would like to enroll in an online/distance program and will require financial aid. Do I need to take the GMAT? Do I need AACSB accred? Most mportantly... do I have a chance??? What should I do????

Thank you!!! With any decent US business school, you'd have to have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university.

This is not necessarily true, or so I have found, with top UK business schools, however. I have found at least 5 Top 15 UK schools that will allow a small number of those without a bachelor's degree, providing the prospective student has a good amount of work experience (3, 5, 6 years +) and depending on their GMAT score. Also, some will allow entry if you have professional qualifications and still others require you pass their own exam. But the bottomline is that they are reputable, top business schools and it can be done without a bachelor's degree.

Try Googling the following universities and look at their Entry Requirements:

Imperial College; Tanaka Business School (UK No.6)
City of London; Cass Business School (UK No.7)
Durham Business School (UK No.9)
Bath Business School (UK No.12)

This university will allow those without a bachelor's degree to enter their Post Graduate Diploma of Management (9-month program) and if you complete it successfully, you can be articulated into their 1-year MBA program.

Birmingham University (UK No. 11, No.1 in the Economist)

Another one that is quite reputable and finally becoming more known in the US is the Edinburgh Business School (your degree will be awarded by Heriot-Watt University). Two of my friends did their distance learning degree option and this school will allow anyone without a college degree to continue their program providing they successfully complete the first three courses by passing the three intense examinations at the end of each one.

Just a thought.

[md2mba]

Wow, Thank you very much. I was getting a bit discouraged. I will look them up today. Thank you again!

[dpetersam]

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

There are a small number of schools that will make exceptions for applicants who lack an undergraduate degree. However, trying to squeeze in your b-school studies with med school will be extremely cumbersome at best and infeasible at worst. I'm not completely sold you need an MBA at this point in your career. It may behoove you to finish your MD and then find a part-time or weekend program.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

[md2mba]

Thank you for your reply. Which schools make such exceptions? (ie their names)



Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

There are a small number of schools that will make exceptions for applicants who lack an undergraduate degree. However, trying to squeeze in your b-school studies with med school will be extremely cumbersome at best and infeasible at worst. I'm not completely sold you need an MBA at this point in your career. It may behoove you to finish your MD and then find a part-time or weekend program.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
DPetersam@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885

Admissions committee experience from the top b-schools

[philipwhite]

It is in your best interest to wait. Getting credentials from a school of this nature will not be beneficial to your career. It could even have a negative impact. Like David mentioned, there are a lot of good part time and evening programs designed just for professionals.