When applying for MBA at top schools in the US and UK, do the online courses add weight to the application?
I have some very good scores in courses from good universities in US in mathematics and statistics. One of them is from Harvard (edx) and all the scores are verifiable with valid certificate of performance and completion.
Will they be use full when applying for MBA full time say at Fuqua and Cornell ?
I am not an expert on the topic, but I noticed that guys like Kreisberg do seem to look at things like HBS Core quite favorably. I would assume that it really depends on what you exactly did and how it factors in with the story that you're trying to tell them.
Thanks for your reply. Largely it was to improve my skillset in analytics. It was an operational requirement at work so essentially just took it upon myself to do it.
Similar to taking a course from a reputable online institution (Financial Accounting from Cal, for instance), it strengthens your story by showing your initiative. If you position it like you said, it will work to your benefit. It's not a game-changer, but it reinforces what you say, and most people say and don't do.
I agree - wasn't there also a BYU Accounting course offered that HBS apparently makes non-business majors take?
I already have a GMAT of 730.
I think it can help show you are serious about persuing business and is a helpful credential for career changers
No in my opinion. I admire MOOCs, did a few and will do a few more, but I personally feel like they are laughable fillers on your profile/resume. real university transcripts may add some weights, but MOOCs are just all over the world. Plus they're generally for your own skill enhancement , but not for admissions.
When I did them personal skill enhancement was the agenda. Now I am at the stage where MBA would be right for me.
You can feel free to talk about it in the interview, if it means weight for you.
Matrick HBX is different because admission is gated by HBS-affiliated people, and HBX is also used as the Pre-MBA module for some HBS MBAs.
I don't get why they have to be viewed like this. I understand any schmuck can take the course, but they teach very valuable skills. A good corporate finance class for an UG could go a long way. Obviously the credential needs to be taken with a grain of salt, but why are they 'laughable'?
Selectivity has a high correlation to demand. MOOCs are like live books to learn from. You can talk all about you read a great book, but it's still not the same as if you earned a prestigious degree or had a gold job.
If getting into Harvard is as easy as getting into X state school, nobody would actually go to Harvard. If MBB or BB isn't as selective, their exit opportunities would be as narrow as typical cashier jobs.
Thanks. Although I have a low gpa (3.2), I never took MOOC as a compensation. It was largely to improve at work. Infact I dont want adcoms to think that I am trying to compensate anything using a MOOC. I have planned to address my low GPA head on in my essays.
My gmat score is 730. I work with analytics at Deloitte Australia. We needed more people who could carry out good statistical analysis so I just did a few MOOCS. It helped a lot at work.
Knowing what you know now. What would you say? Put it in or leave it? I think it can be a good story in itself.
I know Wharton offers an application waiver to anyone who completes their coursera certificate, and also offers scholarships to top performers. So in that isolated case I would imagine it helps
How does that work?
I was misinformed, top performers are the ones who get the application waiver. They say they do consider it but are pretty vague.
https://online.wharton.upenn.edu/specialization-faqs/
If you can weave your MOOC experience into your essay story and explain how you were self-motivated to improve on the job. It might not be a deciding factor, but it won't hurt your chances.
useful*
By the way, as has anyone here actually completed a lot of MOOCs or so and has some good tips for interesting courses?
Check out coursera.org. That's my go-to for anything I come across that I would like to learn more about, or to simply brush up on my knowledge when I need a refresher. I'm sure you'll find a course there that will spark your interest. To be quite honest, I've very rarely done anything aside from watching the lectures or listening to them while driving. They offer an app that makes the latter quite convenient. If you're interested, listen to the lectures from "Understanding Terrorism and the Terrorist Threat".
The bschool adcoms look at your profile overall, including the MOOCs. HBS Online CORe has a strong reputation. But the quality of other MOOCS varies
Why are you taking the MOOCs? To mitigate the impact of a low GPA or low GMAT? Out of interest? Because you lack quant classes/skills and want to beef those up before starting the MBA, but have otherwise good grades?
Your answer will affect my response.
following.
Having spent 10 years readying applications at Fuqua, I personally didn't rate MOOCs too heavily. Often times applicants had taken a slew of MOOCs which essentially meant that the core curriculum would be a repeat.
In the end, adcom wants to know that you are capable of doing the work in their program. To evaluate this, they will look at your standardized test score (GMAT or GRE), your undergrad transcript and any other graded coursework that you have taken.
So, my short answer is 'no.' But, as with anything in MBA admissions, it depends.
how could one make up for a low GPA from university from 7 years ago & paint a better picture that you are capable of exceeding in a top MBA program if MOOCs, CORes & executive education do not hold much weight?
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