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Originally Posted by possible_phd
(2) GMAT *DOES* matter. I was told upfront that I was almost dinged at a top program because of my GMAT quant score (48), and I had a 750 overall (not to mention I'm in Mensa, so there really shouldn't be any question regarding intelligence). I only survived because my recommender suggested they look more closely, and they eventually changed their minds about me. However, if it weren't for my connections, that would have been an early ding. IT DOES MATTER! We are fooling ourselves when we say it doesn't. Seriously. A 700 guarantees nothing with regard to making a "cut." Back when I only had a 710 and was talking to professors and recent PhD grads about possibly doing a PhD, every one of them asked my score and then kind of said, "Eh... you should probably get that up a bit."
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Perhaps this is where programs with more quant orientation (such as modeling in marketing) veer away from less quant-focused programs (like consumer psych). With my 730 & 48 quant, I was told by three different professors that "you have proven that you are plenty smart", with one professor using these exact words. At one school (not a slouch, either) I had the 2nd highest score of all marketing applicants. In yet another adcom, the professors put all the application folders on the table, with the GMAT printed right on top, & review them in descending order of scores. After this initial review, GMATs are dumped.
So maybe I just need to eat my own words here & reiterate that each adcom is distinct from all the others. Likewise, more competitive programs in quant-heavy subjects may use the GMAT more shrewdly. In the end, I think my personal, romanticized opinion is that the GMAT is not the greatest indicator of research potential & should be used accordingly (read: sparingly) in the admissions process. Too bad I'm not the one making decisions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by doctoraldude
@ doriangray - maybe you can save on the two years by going for a masters straightaway (if not psych then there's soc / econ/ math /stat etc) Or maybe you can try landing an RA position in your undergrad univ. I think that might be a better use of those years preparing for a phd ...
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I absolutely agree, entering into an MA/MS program this fall would be a far more direct path to, & better preparation for, the PhD that I am seeking eventually to attain. But with a BS in business, there are very few
relevant graduate programs to which I could apply - maybe a 3rd-tier MBA, or law school (yuck). Neither is good for PhD route. Thus, I am returning for a 2nd bachelor's in psychology & math, where in a year's time I will have plenty of coursework in both to apply for mostly psychology programs, & possibly statistics programs. I plan on getting involved in psychology research before classes begin in August, so I'm gunning for RA work by next summer, which will allow me some flexibility in my 2nd year to research with a number of professors. So goes the plan, at least.
On a brief tangent, I am not the typical business student. This 2nd bachelor's degree is probably what I will consider my
real degree once it's completed. Like a good 'BS in BS', I love case competitions & meeting people & talking shop about business ideas. What I do not love are the reams of phony people, the trifling entry-level positions offered to 22-year olds, the meaningless companies, & the inflexible lifestyle. So in short, I really don't mind at all going back to undergraduate studies, & in fact I'm pretty excited about it. I think I'm going to be a much better-prepared applicant in four. years'. time.
