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2 Tactics to Help Avoid MBA Application Burnout

By U.S. News & World Report

Applying to business school is a stressful, exhausting and arduous process no matter how brilliant or organized a person you are. A great way to reduce the risk of burnout is allowing ample time for the entire application process, which you can gauge by checking out this MBA timeline .

Life doesn’t always follow a tidy pattern though, so when application fatigue looms, try these tactics to get your MBA mojo back on track.

[Learn to dodge the fear of MBA application failure.]

1. Team up with a buddy: It can be hard to stay motivated when you are faced with so many competing responsibilities, both as an applicant and from the real world. Schools often connect incoming students with a second-year buddy, so take a page from their book and pair up with a fellow MBA applicant targeting a different set of schools in order to bolster your enthusiasm.

Swap essays with each other to provide a fresh pair of eyes to catch possible gramma r or punctuation mistakes and also to see how well you have conveyed your goals, experiences and strengths to an audience outside of your industry.

When — fingers crossed — the invitations to interview start coming in, conduct mock interviews with your partner, in person if possible or via Skype, and provide each other with feedback on the exchange. Mock interviews will help crystallize your thoughts and allow you to figure out the appropriate level of detail and length of response to each question.

[Understand these three bad reasons to get an MBA.]

Never underestimate the importance of having someone you can vent to who knows exactly what it feels like in your shoes. A little nudge from your application buddy, and having a sense of support, community and accountability to another person in the MBA trenches, can go a long way toward keeping your motivation levels running high and your eye on the prize.

2. Choose your online resources wisely: The Internet is a wonderful resource for free information about applying to business school. Major news outlets cover the subject, admissions consultants like me publish MBA blogs to share the latest news and tips and test prep forums provide another popular source for information as well as camaraderie.

While nervous applicants often jump at the chance to read any and all information about the process and their dream schools, the smart thing is to pick a handful of trusted resources and filter out the rest. Not only will you arm yourself with the most accurate information out there, but you’ll also sidestep a lot of external anxiety as well as inevitable rumors constantly circulating online.

[Avoid surprising application mistakes prospective MBAs make.]

School-hosted and independent student blogs provide a valuable , up-close look at the programs, which is useful when you’re making your final selections but can also be biased. Blogs written by applicants offer a real-time glimpse into the process, with all its ups and downs, and can be a comfort to candidates going through this phase on their own.

Any advice offered through test-prep or MBA forums, or posts on student or applicant blogs, should be taken with a grain of salt. What worked for one applicant may completely backfire for another, so make sure those tips are substantiated through other credible sources. When in doubt, ask your admissions consultant or, if appropriate, contact the admissions committee at the schools where you’re applying .

The MBA application has several components, so when one area starts making your head spin — I’m looking at you, essays — then it’s time to redirect your attention elsewhere temporarily or take breaks when the demands on your time have exceeded your energy reserves. Most importantly, remember that you’re pursuing an MBA to transform your career, so do whatever it takes to revitalize your excitement and keep on keeping on.

More from U.S. News

3 Ways to Show Business Schools You’ll Make an Impact

Decide Whether to Pursue a Pre-MBA Internship

10 Ways to Make the Most of a Business School Experience

2 Tactics to Help Avoid MBA Application Burnout originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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