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College can be one of life’s biggest investments. And, earning a degree or certificate is an important step forward down many career paths.

Many students work to cover expenses and gain on-the-job experience while furthering their education. Balancing the competing demands of coursework and a job, however, can be a challenge. For some learners, taking online classes while working is one way to fit school into an already packed schedule.

Online classes allow you to study virtually anywhere, not just colleges or trade schools located in your area. In addition, pre-recorded classes enable you to fit your coursework into evenings, weekends, or whenever your work schedule allows.

However, the quality of online programs can vary widely. And, getting a degree online may not allow you to make as many professional and personal connections as an in-person college experience.

Read on to learn more about taking online classes while also working full-time, including the pros and cons, and strategies for juggling the demands of schooling alongside holding down a job.

Pros of Taking Online Classes

Given the time and financial investment that earning a degree can require, it can be helpful to weigh different schooling options before deciding whether to pursue an in-person education, online classes, or some hybrid of the two. Online classes can have some distinct advantages.

Here’s a look at some potential pros of working towards a degree or certificate online.

Having a Flexible Schedule

Traditionally, college and graduate school courses meet once or multiple times per week throughout a semester or summer/winter session. The length of class time varies too. For example, large lectures may only span one hour, while once-per-week seminars could run for two or three hours.

If you’re taking a full-time course load, which usually constitutes a minimum of twelve credit hours, you’ll have to coordinate these blocked-out class hours around your existing work schedule.

As a result, in-person learning (where students are expected to be in class at a set time each week) is not always feasible if you plan to work and study at the same time.

If you work full-time, online classes can come with added flexibility. After all, online courses are often facilitated through pre-recorded lectures, streaming video tutorials, self-guided activities, and reading that can be done on a student’s timeframe.

In some cases, online classes do still include a certain number of live lectures or learning activities (typically hosted via streaming video) that enrolled students are expected to attend.

In those scenarios, you might need to arrange your work schedule so you’re not on the job during the times when live online classes convene.

Naturely, most online classes still assign homework, so you’ll also need to consider when you’ll fit in independent reading, projects, and studying. However, online degree programs and classes often offer a higher level of scheduling flexibility, allowing you to “attend class” and study at times when you’re not working.

Maintaining Location Independence

There are thousands of colleges and universities across the United States, but probably only a handful near your home or place of work. While taking classes as a commuter student might be logistically possible, sticking to programs hosted by local universities can limit your choice of faculty and subject areas.

Additionally, it’s possible that local options aren’t the top-ranked in a given field — and might not even offer specific degrees or pre-professional certificates.

On the flip side, the only location required for taking online classes while working full-time is a reliable internet connection and a comfortable study space. Online classes also save time traveling to and fro a campus, giving you more time to juggle post-secondary studies alongside your regular job.

Possibly Lower Living Expenses

Tuition is only part of the equation when calculating the total cost of attending college. Some universities may require students to live on campus for one or more years, which could carry dining hall and other fees (in addition to the base cost of living in a dorm).

Students attending four-year public universities can expect room and board to run, on average, $11,520 a year, according to the Education Data Initiative. Opting for an online degree program can help bypass some of these additional expenses.


💡 Quick Tip: Private student loans offer fixed or variable interest rates. So you can get a loan that fits your budget.

Cons of Taking Online Classes

In addition to online learning’s merits, there are some potential cons to think through when evaluating taking online classes while working full time.

Not Every Degree or Major is Available

Colleges across the U.S. offer a wide array of majors and types of degrees. Online programs, on the other hand, tend to be more limited. So whether or not you can take online classes while working will depend, in part, on your chosen field of study.

For online bachelor’s degree programs, majors focused on business and health professions are among the most commonly available. Students interested in earning a master’s degree online in business or healthcare are in luck as well. There are also opportunities to enroll in graduate programs in education, engineering, criminal justice, and various social sciences entirely online.

Other majors and degrees, especially those that require in-person lab time or hands-on apprenticeship, such as culinary arts or chemistry, might not translate as well to an online format.

Recommended: Return on Education for Bachelor’s Degrees

Limited Networking Opportunities

Attending college in person can provide opportunities to make friends and build relationships with professors. Building a deep social and professional network while in school can help you find internships and jobs after school ends.

Taking online classes, however, can make it more challenging to connect with professors and fellow students. That being said, it’s still possible to make a strong impression on professors and peers through course assignments, presentations (whether individual or group), and written correspondences.

If you are planning on taking online classes while also working full-time in the same field (e.g., a nurse or a teacher studying for an extra certification in those professions), this potential networking disadvantage may be less of a concern — since you can still connect with fellow professionals on the job.

Strategies for Taking Online Classes

Whether you just graduated high school or are returning to the classroom after years of working, being prepared can help you get the most from your online classes — and, ideally, help to create a healthier work-life balance. Here are some key ways to prep for working full time and going to college.

Making a Schedule and Sticking to It

The flexibility of online classes can feel liberating, but those readings, online discussions, and assignments still need to be completed. Keeping your work schedule in mind, it can be helpful to block out some non-work hours during the week or weekend just for studying and school assignments.

It may also be helpful to think about when to get school work done. If you’re not a morning person, it’s likely you won’t be cracking the textbooks at sunrise. If you find out that your present work-school schedule is hard to sustain over time, it’s perfectly okay to go back to the drawing board.

The important thing is to find a time-management system that works for the duration of the time you’re both working and studying full time.

Starting Small

Even if you feel confident and excited about returning to the classroom (virtual ones count, too), taking online classes while working full time may be a big adjustment.

Some online degree programs allow you to enroll as a part-time student, which can be a “trial-run” opportunity — allowing you to understand how demanding juggling school and studies can be (before paying full tuition).

Understanding how much time each online class will demand can help you to be realistic about how many classes you can take each semester without burning out.

Setting Goals and Rewarding Progress

Creating achievable goals at the beginning of each class or semester is one way to stay on track, grow as a student, and measure success. Attaching a reward to these periodic goals can help many learners to stay driven and engaged.

Whether you passed your first online class, completed a big group project, or got a key certification, you deserve to celebrate achieving your educational accomplishments.


💡 Quick Tip: Would-be borrowers will want to understand the different types of student loans that are available: private student loans, federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans, Direct PLUS loans, and more.

Paying for Online Classes

For some students, the cost of online education (after subtracting dorms, dining plans, and transportation) can be an additional determining factor. The individual cost of online degrees and certificates will vary significantly from school to school — including price differences between public and private university programs.

In some cases, online-only programs may cost less for enrolled students. In others, online classes are priced similar to their in-person counterparts.

Whether you opt to work and go to college at the same time, how to pay for college is likely a big question. Making a plan for financing your education is one step in figuring out how to take online classes while working full time.

Completing the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help you determine how much federal student aid (such as grants, scholarships, and federal loans) you are eligible to receive. You can also explore scholarship opportunities through universities, nonprofit organizations, and private foundations for additional funding.

Many students also borrow money through private loans to pay for advancing their education. These are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders and often may come with flexible repayment plans, allowing you to find a loan that fits your budget and financial plan. (It’s worth noting that federal student loans come with baked-in benefits, like income-driven repayment or public service loan forgiveness, that are not guaranteed by private lenders).

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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College is a great place to make lifelong friends. In college, students bond over shared interests, have fun times together, and help each other through some challenging times, cementing bonds that can last for years after graduation.

When you first arrive on campus, however, making friends in college can seem intimidating. Exactly where and how do you meet people? It can feel especially challenging if you go to a large school or you’re in unfamiliar territory, like a college that’s far away from home.

Don’t stress. Making friends in college can be easy. The key is to get involved early on, put yourself out there, and always try to be your true self.

Here are some ways you can go about making friends in college.

Hang Out With Your Roommates

Whether you chose your roommate or went with a random pairing, you may or may not have a lot in common with this individual, at least from the outside. Nevertheless, it can be a good idea to try to forge a connection with your roommate. This will not only make your living situation more enjoyable, but you’ll be able to turn to your roommate when you need support.

You can bond with your roommate by cooking meals, watching favorite shows, and studying together. It can also help to be considerate and respectful of your roommate by not making too much noise late at night or early in the morning, cleaning up after yourself, and chipping in for shared supplies. By respecting your roommate’s boundaries and establishing ground rules for the room, you’ll be more likely to have a good relationship, and perhaps even become good friends, with your roommate.


💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee SoFi private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Join a Fraternity or Sorority

If you join a fraternity or a sorority, you’ll have the opportunity to make a lot of new friends. While some fraternities and sororities may have bad reputations because of their hazing practices and emphasis on parties, many focus on philanthropy and building friendships instead.

Just keep in mind that joining Greek life can cost $100 to $1,000 per semester, since you are generally required to pay fees or dues. The cost will vary depending on the school and chapter you join, and there may also be additional fees for first-year membership.

You’ll also need to apply to get into a sorority or fraternity and go through a recruitment process to ensure it’s going to be a good fit. Then, if you’re accepted, you will typically live with your fraternity or sorority in a house on campus and socialize and volunteer with them on a regular basis.

Recommended: 11 Strategies for Paying for College and Other Expenses

Get Involved in Clubs

Another easy way to make friends in college is to join a club. At the beginning of the school year, colleges will typically have club fairs, where club leaders set up booths and give information about their clubs to incoming freshmen and transfer students. This is where you can learn more and sign up for an initial meeting.

Some of the various types of clubs you can join include religious, political, academic, cultural, media, and community service clubs. For instance, students can join the school paper, radio or TV station, participate in math and science groups, join an on-campus religious group, find the school’s Republican and Democrat clubs, and volunteer at local animal rescue organizations or homeless shelters.

If you can’t find clubs you’re interested in, you may be able to start one of your own. You’ll likely have to go to the proper office on campus and follow the guidelines for establishing a new club.

Recommended: How to Get Involved on Campus in College

Find Study Buddies in Your Classes

Another avenue for making friends in college is through your classes. You might start or sign up for a study group, which allows students in the same class to do homework and study for tests together. If you make a connection with another student in a study group, you might suggest hanging out after the group is over or meeting up for a coffee or meal on campus another time.

Sign Up for Sports

One of the ways that many students go about making friends in college is by joining a sports team or an intramural sports club on campus. The sports teams are for athletes who are interested in playing on schools’ official teams, while intramural sports clubs are just for fun. Schools offer a variety of different sports like basketball, football, soccer, golf, tennis, and swimming. You can check out the campus life and sports section of your school’s website and look into the options.

Audition for the School Play

Theater clubs or the theater department on campus may hold auditions for school plays. You might consider auditioning for a part and making friends with the cast and crew members during rehearsal. Putting on a play can be a strong bonding experience, allowing you to cultivate lasting friendships.

Recommended: 10 Ways to Prepare for College

Go to Campus Events

Schools are always putting on events. This might include concerts, talent shows, guest speaker series, music festivals, stand-up comedy, and more. You might ask acquaintances to go to an event and/or meet new friends there. If the event is crowded, you might need to be a little more outgoing and start up conversations with the people nearby in order to (hopefully) make friends.

Connect With Other Student Workers

If you have a job or internship on campus, you might try to strike up conversations with your colleagues, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work. Some places students may work on campus include the college’s admissions office, the endowment office, the dining hall, the coffee shop, the art museum, and the library.

Recommended: Am I Eligible for Work-Study?

Go to Social Gatherings

If your roommates or friends are holding a social gathering or going off campus to check out a local movie theater or restaurant, consider tagging along. This can be a great way to strengthen the bonds you already have, as well as meet new people. Just keep in mind that while parties can be fun, they can also distract from schoolwork and you could end up with lower grades if you are partying too often.

Recommended: The Ultimate Guide to Studying in College

Ask People to Hang Out One-on-One

Whenever you meet potential new friends in classes or through clubs, consider inviting them to hang out one-on-one to get to know them better. For example, you might ask them out for coffee or a meal, to an on-campus concert or show, to work out at the gym, or to a sports game. While this involves putting yourself out there, the rewards of making a new friend can be well worth the risk that they’ll say “no.”

The Importance of Being Yourself When Making Friends in College

Although you may be worried about making new friends in college, you generally don’t want to change your personality or hide who you really are in order to fit in. It may be a little tough at first, but by joining clubs you’re interested in and finding people who accept you for who you are, you could make lifelong friends. It can take some time and might not always happen within the first semester. However, you’ll want to keep trying to meet and connect with new people throughout your four years at college.


💡 Quick Tip: Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, you should fill out the FAFSA form. Many schools require it for merit-based scholarships, too. You can submit it as early as Oct. 1.

Affording College

College is where you can set yourself up for professional success as well as make wonderful new friends. However, if you don’t know how you’ll pay for it, you might feel even more anxiety before embarking on this exciting next step in your life.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to cover the cost of attending college, including grants, scholarships, work-study programs (which are also great for making friends), and subsidized and unsubsidized federal loans. If you get your financial aid letter and still have gaps in funding, you might also consider a private student loan.

Private loans are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Unlike federal student loans, they require a credit check. However, if you have solid credit (or can recruit a cosigner who does), you may be able to qualify for a competitive interest rate. Just keep in mind that private loans may not offer the same protections that come with federal loans, such as income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness programs.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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If you have your heart set on going to a certain college, you may want to consider applying to that school either early decision or early action. What’s the difference?

Both early action and early decision let an admission’s office know you are interested in attending that school (over its competitors). However, there are some key differences.

If you apply early decision and are accepted, you must attend that college. If you apply early action, on the other hand, you’ll get an early response to your application but your acceptance is nonbinding — and you have until May 1 to decide whether or not you want to go.

Three are pros and cons to each option. Here’s what you need to know about early decision vs. early action.

Understanding Early Action and Early Decision

Early action and early decision are college application options that allow you to find out earlier than usual whether or not you’ve been accepted to the school.

Early action simply means that you apply and receive a decision well in advance of the institution’s regular response date, while early decision means you are making a commitment to a first-choice school and, if admitted, you will definitely enroll and withdraw all other applications.

Translated into simpler terms, early decision binds a student to attend a specific school while early action lets applicants know earlier if they’ve been admitted. While you can only apply to one school early decision, you can apply to multiple schools early action.

It’s worth noting that not all schools offer both options. Also, the rules regarding early action may vary from one school to another. At some universities, applicants who apply via the early action method are also expected not to apply early action at other schools, too.


💡 Quick Tip: You can fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Pros and Cons of Applying Early to College

Early decision and early action admissions both offer benefits. One reason some students opt to apply early is to firm up admission before the usual deadlines. If accepted early to the school of your choice, you can relax and focus on enjoying your last year of high school. You also have time to prepare well in advance to move to a specific area or attend that specific school.

Other advantages include being able to fill out fewer college applications and having time to apply elsewhere if you are not granted admission to your top school.

Also, if you apply early decision and don’t get accepted to your chosen school, that school may defer your application and reconsider it as part of the general application process. This gives you another shot at getting in.

On the downside, applying to a school early decision comes with a lot of pressure, since the decision will be binding. And, if accepted, you won’t be able to compare financial aid offers with other schools and select the one that works best with your budget. You will simply have to accept the aid package offered by that school.

Although early decision is generally binding, it’s possible — though not usually advisable — to break that agreement if your financial circumstances change and you need to rethink attending a specific school.

Applicants who back out of an early decision acceptance for non-financial reasons may need to pay a fine, and also run the risk of ruining their reputation at that school and potentially at other colleges.

Recommended: How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

Making a Decision about Early Decision

There are some critical distinctions between early action and early decision. While not all schools have early action and early decision options when applying, those that do will typically let you choose between one or the other.

Early decision is, typically, binding. If an applicant gets accepted via this method, they’re committing to attending that specific school (and, by extension, committing to withdrawing their name from consideration at other schools).

Early action is, typically, nonbinding. Students may be able apply early action to multiple colleges, but some schools have more restrictive early action policies.

Early admission, when nonbinding and non-exclusive, allows students to compare financial aid offers from multiple schools. After all, in many early action applications, a final decision to commit need not be made until spring (and students can still apply regularly to other universities).

With early decision, however, you won’t have the opportunity to compare financial aid offers from competing schools.

Early decision is generally recommended for students who are:

•   Informed about the colleges they’re applying to

•   Crystal-clear about their first choice school

•   Able to demonstrate a solid academic record before senior year.

Recommended: Ultimate College Application Checklist

Paying for College

Regardless of whether you apply early action, early decision, or regular decision, paying for college is likely front of mind. While some families are able to cover the cost of college through existing funds and assets, numerous applicants (and their parents) also seek out financial aid.

The term “financial aid” refers to funding that doesn’t come from the applicant’s (or their family’s) savings and income. Financial aid is available from federal and state governments, educational institutions, and private groups. It can be awarded in the form of loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.

To apply for financial aid, you simply need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This information is sent to schools you apply to. If accepted, you will receive a financial aid award letter from that school, which will provide information on the cost of attendance for the academic year and detail any grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, and federal loans you are eligible to receive.

If your financial award isn’t enough to cover the full cost of college, you also have the option to apply for private student loans. These are offered through private lenders, including banks, credit unions, and online lenders.

It’s important to note that government loans come with certain built-in federal benefits that private loans do not guarantee — including income-driven repayment plans and, when eligible, public service student loan forgiveness.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Getting into a top tier MBA program can be competitive. The top 10 programs have an average acceptance rate of less than 18%. But the elite of the elite accept even fewer applicants. The acceptance rate at Stanford Graduate School of Business, one of the most challenging schools to get into, is just 6.9%.

With such low acceptance rates, any boost to an application can be advantageous to an MBA (or “B School”) candidate. To elevate an MBA application, some candidates choose to seek the assistance of an MBA Application Consultant.

MBA Application Consultants help candidates fine-tune their application with the hopes of improving their chances of acceptance. If you’re considering applying for a top MBA school, here’s helpful information about the value an MBA Application Consultant could bring to the admission process.

What Is an MBA Application Consultant?

Since getting into an elite school can be a monumental task, some candidates may need additional support. An MBA Admissions Consultant, also known as a B School Consultant, can offer candidates an advantage in the demanding world of the MBA admissions process. These consultants tend to be highly skilled communicators and have extensive knowledge about the MBA admissions process.

MBA Application Consultants provide services including program selection, essay brainstorming, essay review, resume review, interview preparation, and more.

Candidates can choose to work with MBA Application Consultants on an hourly basis or select a package approach to navigate the entire application process.


💡 Quick Tip: Parents and sponsors with strong credit and income may find much lower rates on no-fee private parent student loans than federal parent PLUS loans. Federal PLUS loans also come with an origination fee.

Benefits of Working with a MBA Consultants

There are certain circumstances where an MBA applicant may benefit from working with an application consultant. Most of the benefits surround highlighting the work that schools want to see and bringing the applicant’s personality to life.

A good MBA Admissions Consultant will go above and beyond suggesting and reviewing an application — they will help the applicant understand what they bring to the table.

In addition to helping an applicant brainstorm essay content, here are a few other ways they can add value to the application process.

Expressing Authenticity and Vulnerability in Application

When writing a strong essay, general recommendations suggest expressing authenticity through humor or vulnerability to let your personality shine through. Colleges, even business schools, often look to an applicant’s essay to get a deeper sense of who they are, what they value most, and any actions they’ve taken towards their beliefs.

While it’s unlikely you can get into an MBA program based on a stand-out essay alone, a strong piece of writing will be another valuable piece of your total application.

If writing is not your strong suit, an MBA Admission Advisor could help you overcome this hurdle and help schools see your personality.

Editing Short-Answer Essays

Currently, the MBA application trend is gearing toward more of a short essay format with restrictive word limits. For example, Columbia Business School has a 500 word limit on essays.

To help applicants meet these essay requirements, MBA Admissions Consultants can effectively edit down their writings. Many MBA candidates do not have college experience or training in advanced expository writing or editing. With this in mind, they may need the help of an admission consultant with advanced editing skills to meet the restrictive word count.

Addressing Communication Challenges

Those who haven’t taken a lot of coursework in writing, such as STEM (science, technical, engineering, or mathematics) students, may benefit from essay assistance. While STEM professionals may have higher GMAT scores, they may struggle to write a strong essay.

These challenges might be intensified for international applicants who have low English competency. Working with a consultant can help this group of candidates steer clear of any essay defects that could potentially disqualify them.

Recommended: Tips on How to Pay for MBA School

How Much Do MBA Admission Consultants Cost?

Cost is a significant consideration when deciding whether or not to hire an MBA Admission Advisor. One-on-one MBA application coaching can run around $195 per hour. For a three-school full package deal, you might pay as much as $16,000.

Although these costs can seem astronomical, you may want to consider the potential pay-off: The average starting salary for MBA graduates was $115,000 in 2022 (that’s 53% higher than the average starting salary for people who only have a bachelor’s degree).

Recommended: Finding & Applying to Scholarships for Grad School

Should You Consider Hiring an MBA Admission Consultant?

Here are several examples of groups of applicants that might benefit the most from an application consultants guidance.

•   For applicants who want to apply at one of the most popular business schools, like the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School or the Harvard Business School, a consultant’s help may be valuable. Even if an applicant has a 3.9 GPA, a 750 GMAT score, and five years of experience working at one of the schools’ prestigious employers, such as McKinsey, competition can still be intense.

•   Candidates who want to enroll at one of the top MBA programs such as Carnegie Mellon University’s Tepper School of Business or the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, the aid of a consultant is useful.

•   Candidates that have communication challenges but want to apply to a top 25 school, may need the assistance of a consultant. A consultant can help with their essay and interview performance.

For MBA candidates who only need useful resources and information to put together a concrete application for a top 50 school, a consultant might not be worth the cost. Some candidates might do just as well on their own or using an online application consulting platform (such as ApplicantLab ), which can cost considerably less.

On the other hand, candidates who want guidance, support, and help with their skills set may get value working with an MBA Admissions consultant.

Selecting the Right MBA Admissions Consultant

Before comparing different MBA Application Consultants, it’s a good idea to first develop an idea of your needs and likelihood of acceptance. Maybe you need to focus on strategy and essay writing. In this case, you might want to make those areas the top priority when searching for a consultant.

When considering consultants, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the services they offer. For example, if a professional offers to write an essay for you, you may want to steer clear, since this isn’t an offering a consultant should provide. If the consultant is a member of an association, such as the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC), it shows that the consultant must uphold a professional standard.

It can also be wise to ask friends, family, and colleagues for referrals when beginning a search. They may have some experience working with an MBA Admissions Advisor or relevant firms.


💡 Quick Tip: Master’s degree or graduate certificate? Private or federal student loans can smooth the path to either goal.

Financing Your MBA Program

Regardless of whether you decide to work with an MBA Application Consultant or not, you may need some help paying for your business education expenses. Some business schools offer generous fellowship awards, which are similar to scholarships, since this is money that doesn’t need to be repaid. Other MBA funding options include: federal and state grants, private scholarships, federal loans, and private MBA student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

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High school is often the first time you are able to make choices around your education. What language do you want to learn? What sport do you want to play? Would you rather learn to cook or take intro to psychology as your elective?

Choices can be fun, but they can also be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make the best choices to prepare for college.

Many students consider taking AP classes in high school, and for good reason. So let’s take a look at what AP classes are, what the benefits of taking them are, and how they can affect a student’s college experience.

What are AP Classes?

AP stands for “advanced placement” and AP classes prepare students for college, by giving them college-level work during high school. Their dedication is awarded accordingly, as they can earn college credit and placement by taking corresponding AP exams.

One of the primary motivators for enrolling in AP classes is they prepare students to take and pass AP exams. Students who earn qualifying AP scores on these exams can receive credits from most colleges and universities in the United States.

Depending on their high school’s offerings, students can enroll in one or more of the 38 AP classes that cover a variety of subject matters such as arts, languages, sciences, mathematics, and literature.

In order to enroll in an AP class, there may be prerequisite classes that you must take first. It’s recommended that even if students meet the required qualifications in order to take an AP class, that they consider carefully if they are prepared to take a college level course.

The three main benefits of taking AP classes in high school relate to saving money, becoming a more competitive college applicant, and preparing for success in college.


💡 Quick Tip: Fund your education with a low-rate, no-fee SoFi private student loan that covers all school-certified costs.

Benefit #1: Saving Money on College Tuition

AP classes will take up a lot of your time in high school but can also save time, and money, down the line in college. When you receive a high score on an AP exam, the college you attend in the future may give you credit that cancels out the need to take a similar college class.

Some schools may offer advanced placement instead, which allows you to effectively test out of introductory level courses in the specific subject, but may not be counted toward credit.

Policies vary by school, but the more AP exams you pass, the more credits you may be able to earn. These credits could allow you to skip classes which could save you a semester of attending an introductory English literature or Spanish class. Add up enough of these credits and you could potentially shave off an entire semester or more of your time spent at college.

Note that the policy on AP scores will vary from school to school, and not all schools offer credit for AP classes. Some schools may require a four or five on the AP exam in order to qualify for credit, while others may accept a three.

Generally, you can use AP credits to your financial advantage in two ways. You can either graduate early, which will save money on tuition, fees, and living expenses. Or, you can take lighter course loads across a four year period and can make time to take a part-time job or could add a second major or minor.

At the very least, you may be able to avoid paying for textbooks or lab fees in classes in which you have already mastered the subject matter.

Benefit #2: Making Your College Application More Competitive

When you apply for college, you typically work hard to put your best foot forward and to prove that you will thrive once you land on campus in the fall. College admissions departments carefully comb through transcripts, test scores, and personal essays to see if students will not only be a good fit at their school, but to ensure the student has every chance of succeeding once they enroll.

This is one of the reasons AP classes can be beneficial to high school students. When a student thrives in an AP class, they are essentially thriving in a college class. Before an AP student arrives at college, they will clearly understand what will likely be expected of them, how rigorous the course work can be, and what steps they need to take to succeed academically.

Alongside proving preparation, AP students could receive a bit of a grade point average (GPA) boost if they earn good grades. Some high schools, but not all, will give more weight to AP grades than normal ones. For example, receiving a B in an AP class may provide as many points towards your GPA as if you earned an A in the non-AP version of the class.

Recommended: 5 Ways to Start Preparing for College

Benefit #3: Prepare For College Better

Taking an AP course is akin to taking an actual college course, which can help you get a taste for college. If structured properly, an AP course should give you a preview of what skills you need to succeed in a college class and what the workload might look like.

Learning to manage time properly, developing strong research and analytic skills, and covering material more quickly in an AP class can be helpful preparation for the rigors of college life.

Taking AP classes can also help you identify your interests and passions which may lead you to the right college. Having a preview of what it would be like to study French, Psychology, or Chemistry in college can help guide you during the application process towards schools that have strong programs in your chosen area of interest.


💡 Quick Tip: Federal student loans carry an origination or processing fee (1.057% for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans first disbursed from Oct. 1, 2020, through Oct. 1, 2024). The fee is subtracted from your loan amount, which is why the amount disbursed is less than the amount you borrowed. That said, some private student loan lenders don’t charge an origination fee.

College Financing Options

When it comes to paying for college, there are a lot of different options available to students, including scholarships, grants, and federal financial aid.

But figuring out what you qualify for and how to apply can be overwhelming. A great first step is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will let you know what financial aid you are eligible for. For students and parents that need extra help covering the cost of attending college, student loans are a potential option. There are two types of student loans, federal and private.

Federal loans come with a fixed interest rate. With a subsidized federal loan, you don’t pay any interest while you are in school at least half-time. With an unsubsidized federal loan, interest begins to accrue right away (though you don’t have to start making payments until six months after you graduate).

Private student loans are available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Interest rates can be fixed or variable and will depend on the lender. Students that have excellent credit (or have cosigners who do) tend to get the lowest rates. Just keep in mind that private student loans may not offer the same protections, like income-based repayment plans, that come with federal student loans.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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