If you’re interested in further pursuing schooling, graduate school can be a great opportunity. Many times, employees with master’s degrees make more money than those with only their bachelor’s or associate’s degree. Plus, getting your master’s degree offers you an opportunity to take a break from the real world and start applying some of the lessons you’ve learned in the workforce to an in-depth study of a specific topic in an academic setting. Especially if you someday want to teach at the collegiate level, having these sorts of credentials could be a major boon for you since most colleges and universities require a terminal degree in order to teach.
That being said, not every education program is the right fit for every applicant. Especially if you have testing anxiety or are concerned about the racial implications of taking a standardized test, you may want to avoid an education program that involves the GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) in order to attend. If that’s the case, there are still plenty of degree programs or continuing education programs to look into that can still get you the degree or career switch you’re after as an applicant. Read on for a few different ideas to consider when it comes to getting a quality education after your undergraduate degree.
Trade schools and apprenticeships offer easy career pivots.
Although trade schools and apprenticeships used to be maligned, in actuality they provide a necessary educational service for many. Many cosmetology programs or automotive certification programs have all the core courses you need to become experienced in these fields without a GMAT requirement and with clear admission standards.
Applicants to these programs get to learn about cosmetology and other topics through hands-on coursework and often times leave with a certificate illustrating their mastery of a specific subject or skillset. If you’re interested in getting started in a cosmetology program or other trade and don’t want to go through a bunch of hoops during the admissions process, it’s definitely worth considering cosmetology school or another such apprenticeship.
Not all MBA programs require standardized tests.
If you’ve always dreamed of attending business school, you likely know that some admissions requirements require information about your undergraduate GPA as well as how you stack up on tests like the GMAT or GRE. That being said, not every MBA program requires information about these standardized test scores.
If you’re looking for a program that offers GMAT waivers or the opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship without having to take these tests, it’s not a bad idea to look into online degree programs. Searching for an online program on Google, it’s simple to find a degree program that gives you the appropriate core courses and coursework to learn about business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business, and more. Just head to your favorite search engine and type in “MBA programs online no GMAT” and you’ll see some online programs that offer MBAs without the need for tests like the GRE or GMAT. Especially depending on the topic that you’re interested in exploring, such as business administration, human resources, or organizational behavior, you’ll likely find that an online program offers just as much as attending in person each semester would, with more flexibility about your start date.
Most arts MFAs eschew standardized testing.
In most art schools, the admissions panel understands that your portfolio and work experience is more important than your GMAT score. You may also find that letters of recommendation are far more important in any artistic specialization than in other advanced degree programs. As such, when you apply to get your MFA in visual or performing arts, rather than spending time studying for the GRE or GMAT, it’s a much better idea to focus on talking to mentors who are familiar with your professional experience as an artist to write great letters of recommendation for you instead.
