Blog

Not surprisingly, one of the most common questions we receive from MBA candidates is “Will I get in?” Of course, this is an important question to consider before applying, and we suggest that you honestly assess and understand your candidacy and risk profile within the context of your target school’s typical student body before completing or submitting an application to that school. However, once you have determined that you will in fact apply to a particular school, you should not let this question haunt you or halt your progress. Many applicants spend too much time worrying and not enough time working. Your admissions decision is ultimately out of your control, so just focus on submitting the best application you possibly can.

Is attending a modern, innovative MBA program within a globally renowned university with a history going back more than 800 years of interest to you? Only two business schools uniquely blend cutting-edge innovation with such a rich historic backdrop: Oxford Saïd Business School and Cambridge Judge Business School. 

First, let us discuss how these two programs are alike. To start, these university brands, whose names are known around the world, both attract strong applicants. The programs’ caliber of students and competitiveness are therefore similar in terms of average test scores, academic backgrounds, and work experience. 

Another commonality is that they are both one-year MBA programs, which differentiates them from many top U.S. MBA programs and several other European options. Many students who choose Cambridge or Oxford do so in part because they are interested in a fast-moving program—one that requires less time out of the workplace than two-year options and, as a result, involves lower opportunity costs via lost salary. 

One common misconception about one-year MBA programs is that student do not have the opportunity to complete an internship, yet students at Cambridge and Oxford actually can, and often do, complete an internship in the final months of their 12-month MBA experience. So, if an internship is an important element of an MBA program for you, be aware that this is still very doable at Oxford and Cambridge.

Another thing that Oxford and Cambridge have in common—and that differentiates them from other top MBA programs—is the “college system,” which is a historic and integrated part of the university experience at “Oxbridge” (as the schools are sometimes collectively nicknamed). But what is this “college system,” and what about it is appealing to MBA students? 

Every student at Oxford or Cambridge is enrolled at one of the historic colleges that make up the universities. Oxford has 43 different colleges, and Cambridge has 31, each of which has a unique identity and traditions. Beyond providing accommodation and meals, the colleges offer academic, professional, and social activities. Through your college, you will be invited to attend iconic “formal hall” dinner events, complete with long tables, grand halls, and plenty of fascinating networking. You will see Oxford and Cambridge students, including aspiring MBAs, wearing formal gowns for these hall dinners, as well as for graduation and other special events. At Oxford, students even wear these gowns when taking exams! It is all part of the tradition.

That said, these colleges are about much more than just housing and dinners. They also serve to connect students from different academic disciplines, encouraging new ways of thinking and even potential venture ideas. That cross-disciplinary interaction can be really valuable for MBA students who are interested in entrepreneurship. This community carries over post-MBA. When you graduate from Oxford or Cambridge, you become part of three different alumni networks: those of the business school, the university, and the college.

Read the rest of this entry  

With regard to the GMAT, raw intellectual horsepower helps, but it is not everything. Manhattan Prep’s Stacey Koprince teaches you how to perform at your best on test day by using some common sense.?

Each admissions season, many candidates receive a response from MBA admissions committees that can sometimes be far more frustrating than a rejection: “You have been placed on our waitlist.” What should you do when your status is uncertain?

The technology industry is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. But it is also a rapidly changing one, with a high level of layoffs, disruptions, and uncertainty. Workers in the technology industry need to constantly keep up with the demand for new skills and knowledge. 

Technology professionals often ask us at mbaMission how an MBA can help them advance in their career—or whether an MBA would even be helpful to them. What are the top roles for MBAs in the technology industry? Should you consider pursuing a Tech MBA? What is the difference between a regular MBA and a Tech MBA program? With this blog post, we hope to provide you with food for thought on this topic and help you understand how a Tech MBA might help you further your career in the technology industry. 

“Is earning an MBA worthwhile for people in the technology industry?”

The answer to this question depends on a number of factors. To assess whether an MBA would be worthwhile to have in your technology career, consider what your goals are. For example, if your long-term career goal is to achieve a role such as chief technology officer, you might be required to have an advanced engineering or computer science degree. However, many roles in the technology industry could benefit from a dual understanding of how business and technological aspects interact and affect a company’s revenue. For example, product managers are responsible for managing various facets of a product line, such as understanding customer needs, defining product strategy, working with development teams, and driving product launches. These duties require a combination of business and technological knowledge and skills

One way to research whether an MBA is valued at your company or in your particular field is to look at the profiles of professionals who have the job you want. What type of prior work experience do they have? What is their educational background? You can also review job postings to see what the criteria are for the roles you might wish to pursue in the future.  

“What kinds of roles do MBAs have in the technology industry?”

Many roles in the technology industry value the business acumen that MBAs possess, particularly in the following areas and functions: 

• Product management: overseeing various aspects of a firm’s profit and loss
• Marketing: driving sales and marketing campaigns for products
• Business development: identifying new market opportunities, including strategic partnerships 
• Corporate development: creating and executing plans to help a company grow, including mergers and acquisitions

“What is a Tech MBA?”

Some business schools specifically offer what is known as a “Tech MBA,” such as the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA, NYU Stern’s Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA, and UW Foster’s Technology Management MBA. Certain aspects of these programs differ from one school to the next, however. For example, the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA is a one-year residential program, whereas UW Foster’s Technology Management MBA is an 18-month program. 

When deciding which program is right for you, be sure to research the curriculum at the ones you are considering. What skill gaps do you need to fill in business school? Does the curriculum allow you to waive out of courses in subjects in which you already have expertise, allowing you to focus more on areas you want or need to learn? Asking these sorts of questions will help you understand how a program could help you advance in your technology career.

“What is the difference between a traditional MBA program and a Tech MBA program?”

The two major differences between regular MBA and Tech MBA programs lie in the makeup of the student community and the academic curriculum. 

First, students in a traditional MBA program typically come from a variety of backgrounds, though many will have a business background in finance or consulting. In general, regular MBA programs strive to assemble a diverse class of students from a wide range of industries, functions, and roles. Consequently, graduates from traditional MBA programs tend to want to enter different industries and functions.

Most students in Tech MBA programs, by contrast, come from the technology sector or have technical skills and plan to return to the industry post-MBA or enter a technical role of some kind, possibly even outside the technology sector.

Second, in a Tech MBA program, the curriculum focuses on technology and technology-related business and management skills, whereas in a traditional MBA program, the curriculum usually covers more general business and management topics.  

Keep in mind that even if a business school does not offer a dedicated Tech MBA, it might still have plenty of technology-related courses or programs. For example, MIT Sloan offers a Digital Product Management Certificate, and students at the Stanford Graduate School of Business have opportunities to take classes at the university’s engineering school.

These are just some of the common questions we receive from tech applicants to business school; candidates undoubtedly have many more that we have not addressed here. If you would like additional guidance on choosing the right MBA program to help you progress in your technology career—or on how to approach your MBA applications—sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with a member of the mbaMission team.