Online MBA now or M7 later?

I’m a 23 year old financial analyst 2 at a fortune 30 company. My company is willing to pay for me to get my online MBA right now. I got into Indiana University, which is the #1 online MBA for finance. It also gives you a ton of networking options as they have already put me contact with alumni in IB across the country. It also comes with a lifetime career coach that helps you network. If I want to go into IB eventually should I do IU online or should I wait and study my ass off to get into an M7. Any advice would be great? (Went to a non target school for undergrad with a 3.6 GPA).

 

If you actually want to do IB, then an M7 will set you up whereas you will not really stand a chance at most reputable banks with an online MBA. But also you don’t have any guarantee of acceptance at an M7, so it’s more of a question of how likely it would be for you to achieve that and what career you could get from the Kelley online option and whether that would be something you would be happy with. And also what about T20 MBAs etc. if that’s potentially more likely but still may give you a shot at IB

 

Associate 1 in PE - LBOs

If you actually want to do IB, then an M7 will set you up whereas you will not really stand a chance at most reputable banks with an online MBA. But also you don't have any guarantee of acceptance at an M7, so it's more of a question of how likely it would be for you to achieve that and what career you could get from the Kelley online option and whether that would be something you would be happy with. And also what about T20 MBAs etc. if that's potentially more likely but still may give you a shot at IB

Ya I understand that. However, I’m not necessarily trying to go into Bulge Bracket. I would be perfectly fine working for a boutique. Also IU is a T20 MBA and the degrees wouldn’t say “online” so they wouldn’t really know unless I was to tell them.

 

It would absolutely be known that the program you did was online as that is impossible to hide. It will also be heavily discredited compared to an in-person MBA from Kelley. I think it would be an uphill battle to land a boutique banking gig from there, but I could be wrong on that - would recommend getting stats on placement specific to this online program.

 

Boston_Banker

The actual purpose of getting an MBA is the network of alumni. An online MBA is an expensive option for the technical skills you can learn through a WSP course and a handful of Scott Galloway podcasts with no network to go with it.

Yes I understand that. However, Indiana University has great networking opportunities for online students. They have already put me in contact with multiple alumni in IB.

 
Most Helpful

Probably to sell you on it. Did the people they connect you with come from the same program (not FT)? And if so, what did they do prior to starting the program?

Not saying IB is completely off the table. Now or later in your career. But I highly doubt informationals, coffee chat, workshops etc. Will be offered to the online cohort. Which are all effectively the early stages of the interview process for an internship.

 

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