If there is a silver lining to the current economic downturn it’s the fact that so many people are turning to America’s colleges and universities in their efforts to keep up with the pace of business, get ahead, or even change careers entirely to take advantage of trends. It has been said that education is the shortcut to experience, and in this case that statement is very true. In fact, business people are turning to education in droves in their efforts, whatever their ultimate goals may be.
It is also good news that educational institutions are responding to these economic shifts in huge numbers by not only offering the coursework for giving students the tools they need to compete better in the business world, but by increasing the options students can take advantage of to reach their educational goals on a schedule that fits their life. The good news in this regards is that many colleges and universities are looking to appeal to people just like you to fill their classes. When designing not only the curriculum but the course schedules for such application focused courses as business, these institutions are aiming directly at you, the business person who wants to boost his or her career with a master’s degree in finance.
Reaching for the Ring
The trouble many prospective students face when they decide to return to school for a master’s degree, perhaps especially in an area that is as useful to career minded adults as finance, is being admitted to a program. After all, it’s frequently not a matter of moving from one classroom experience to another. Chances are good that you have been out of school for a while, in the workaday world. And if that transition has been a long time coming, you will need to make what you have done translate into an admission. Fortunately, school administrators understand this, so there are several options to show yourself able to make the transition:
1. Internships. A recommendation from a good internship can work wonders to show what you are capable of.
2. Prove yourself in an admission interview. Many schools don’t allow anyone to get this far without some suspicion that you are capable, but it’s also a good idea to read up on some general business publications to prove you are up to speed.
Price of Admission
If you have as your goal to earn a master’s degree in finance, you might have already begun looking into what institutions offer such a program. And if you’re like most like-minded prospective students, you probably cringed when you saw the admission procedures, which included such items as transcripts, GMAT scores, and other hoops to jump through. Who’s got time for it?
Colleges and universities who offer degrees that appeal to business-minded adults often don’t require such paperwork, opting instead for an interview approach to their admissions. Although this requirement differs from institution to institution, these schools wave many of the admission requirements in favor of counseling that emphasizes life experience over academics in the past.
Just Ask
If you are interested in earning a master’s degree in finance your first step should be to contact the institutions near you that you know offer such a degree. It’s not hard. Often, it’s just a matter of calling and writing for information. Just as important, ask if that school offers a program that bases admissions, at least in part, on life/work experience toward admission or even the degree itself.
As stated before colleges and universities have become a huge industry. These schools compete against each other to get your interest. Why not use it to your advantage? You might get a master’s degree for it.
