So you want to get your MBA online. We don’t blame you! There are lots of advantages to getting an MBA in a digital classroom, but the answer to “Is getting an MBA hard?” won’t change. No matter the format, this graduate program is an investment of time and money, and it’s not always easy. But, hey: If it were, everyone would be able to add “MBA” to their professional title. Here’s what it’s like to earn your MBA online.

Online MBA programs still require to you apply and may require an interview the same way that an on-ground program would. Your interview may be conducted remotely for an online MBA program, though, via a video chat or phone call, depending on the particular program’s requirements. Once accepted and enrolled, you may be offered the opportunity or even be required to attend an on-campus kickoff or culminating event, which will give you a chance to meet your cohort and some professors. Even if attendance at these events is not mandatory, they are still great networking opportunities you may want to take advantage of.

If you’re getting your MBA online, your coursework will be delivered through an online learning management system, or LMS. In the LMS you’ll have lectures, group discussions, readings and sometimes even interactive video chats through whichever platform your school utilizes. Generally, your coursework and readings will be given asynchronously so you’ll have the chance to work ahead. But self-scheduling and staying up to date will be something that’s up to you.

So how long does it take to get an MBA online? How long will you have to complete all this work? Generally, an online MBA takes about two years of study to complete. Which means you need to make every second count. Networking is of the utmost importance in online MBA programs, and there’s no better place to start than with your cohort. Your cohort will be your support system throughout the program; they’ll be your teammates; they’ll share resources, perspectives, and their own experiences with you; and they’ll also collaborate and compete with you.

You want to get your MBA online, and that’s great. We want what you want! But the best question to ask yourself is “Should I get an MBA online?” As we said earlier, there is a lot of self-discipline needed to complete this program digitally. If scheduling and staying on task is not a strong suit for you, you may want to consider an on-ground or hybrid MBA program.

You should also consider whether your personal technology can get you through the online MBA programs you’re scoping out. If you’ve got a laptop that’s ancient, you should think about upgrading if you can. Ask yourself if you have enough time to dedicate to your studies and if your family or significant others will be okay with the amount of time and effort you’ll need to give to this endeavor. It’s also important to make sure that the people in your life are fully supportive of this choice, as it will affect them too.

There will certainly be days where you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated. It’s good to have someone in your corner who will encourage you and remind you that getting an MBA is worth it. And of course, you’ll also want to consider the cost of the program. You can read more about that here.

You’ve got options, so why not explore them? Since getting an MBA is a significant investment of your time and money, now is not the time to be like Ariel from the Little Mermaid and just pick the first one that catches your eye. Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re trying to find the right fit for you.

Not all online MBA programs are great. That may sound harsh, but it’s true. You want to find a program that has a good reputation. Do your research on the schools you’re interested in and choose a university that future employers will recognize. You don’t want to go into a job interview with the resume equivalent of “they’ve got a great personality.”

Think about student-faculty interactions in your online MBA program of choice as well. This would be a great time to talk to current students or alumni of the program. Figure out if the type of communication that’s typical for the program will be what you need. No one wants to commit to taking an MBA online only to find out that half the professors tend to ghost you when you have a question.

Check out the resources you’re provided. 24/7 tech support would be a major coup, but also be sure that you’ll have access to library resources, as well as student support. Try to imagine what a crisis would look like for you in this program, and then think about the things you would need to help you get through the crisis and succeed. Do the online MBA programs you’re considering have what you need?

And finally, if you can, try to visit campus. If you live close by, you’ll likely be able to use the on-campus resources to your advantage even as an online MBA student, so be sure to determine if the facilities meet your expectations and your needs.