UIUC (Illinois) iMBA - is there a gotcha?

[Vle045]

The iMSM looks really interesting! Though I am not sure if they have that admissions plan I mentioned for it.

I don't see why they wouldn't, unless they haven't resourced it. I wonder if there is a workaround. Like using the performance admissions plan to get into iMBA and then transferring to iMSM. It also may not be as hard to get admitted through normal channels as I am imagining.

I guess the main advantage to that is, you get a master's degree in half the time, without delaying or giving up on the MBA.

I had replied earlier about Boston U. and Illinois, but I apparently deleted that reply by mistake fumbling with post quoting features. Here in the Mid Atlantic - ie the upper part of the Southeast - I have to consciously think about which is which between Boston University and Boston College, though I am aware that they are both highly regarded. I am more familiar with the Illinois brand from sports, though I don't know much about them, aside from a vague awareness that they are a well-regarded state flagship university.

The iMSM also has performance based admissions options, but the courses are different. No need for a workaround. https://giesonline.illinois.edu/explore-...ions-track

Also, these programs are offered through Coursera as well.

Personally, I wouldn’t want to do their MBA program for the simple fact that it’s like double the coursework.  Holy smokes!  However, I am sure it’s an excellent program. 

Just to throw another MBA program out there, this one from Illinois Tech on Coursera is performance based.  Plus if you have done any of the professional certificates (like from google or ibm on Coursera), you may be able to transfer in three credits for that.
https://www.coursera.org/degrees/mba-ill...ch/landing

Illinois Tech is a far cry from UI though. Maaaaybe if you honestly just need to check the box. But given the relative importance of name/prestige in the MBA glut-o-sphere, I would do UI in a heartbeat over I-tech.

IL resident btw.

Perhaps there are some who would find value in it, but at double the cost and double the work, it’s a hard pass for me.  I doubt there are that many places where one accredited MBA is better than another accredited MBA with all else being equal.  Maybe if they change that acronym to DBA considering the amount of credits they pack on to it.