Applying to an American MBA - My Experience (2005) - ENGLISH and SPANISH versions

[Ramiro]

Hi,

I've applied to a couple of American MBA B-schools, finally choosing Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management (full-time Fall 2005). I attach a zip file with my experience regarding the application process (ENGLISH and SPANISH versions - word documents). I hope you'll find my experience useful.

I'll be glad to ask any questions regarding the mba application process:

Ramiro Castro
(from Argentina)
ramiro.castro@gmail.com
castro_ramiro@hotmail.com

[Cute]

You really contribute to forum in fullest mind. Congrats!

[CatalinaN]

Hi Ramiro,
I really loved reading your experience, as an latin american applicant, I found it very interesting and organized. I would like to know what was your GMAT score and how did you prepared for this test.

Thanks very much for your info!

[Ramiro]

thanks cute!!.

hi catalina, i read a couple of gmat books (i found it valuable the Official Guide 10th edition (for its tests), Kaplan Gmat (general) and also the cliffs testprep (for its math section). I had to study english grammar because i wasn't prepared for the gmat level. In fact, my score was 550 mainly due to the grammar sections.

Nevertheless you should ask yourself what do YOU really know about each section of the gmat. Let's take an example, first separate the gmat test in modules:

1) Math
1.1) Geometry
1.2) Ratio
1.3) Percentage, Average
1.4) Speed
1.5) Work
1.6) Equations, Inequalities
1.7) Powers, Roots
1.8) Mixture
1.9) Probability, Combinations, Permutations
1.10) Data Sufficiency
2) Critical Reasoning
3) Grammar
4) Reading
5) Test strategies (time management and so on)

Perhaps you are always scoring XXX due to Critical Reasoning, or perhaps you're doing well on math but not on grammar. Perhaps you think you're good on grammar, but what if you're good only on structures and tenses, but not on vocabulary, style and common american expressions?

I think it's a good way to study:
1) divide the test in modules
2) realize what you really know about each module
3) learn the theory asociated with each module
4) (if you have time) practice each module separately
5) practice gmat tests (respect time limits!)
6) don't look just the score, find in which section you're having problems.

[CatalinaN]

Hi Ramiro,

thanks very much, i found your information

very usefull.. right now i am starting with math, because eventough spanish is my mother languaje, my math is really bad, the only sad thing is that so far i haven´t been able to find good math books in english, that is why I am studying with books in spanish (but it is very hard for an american book to beat the baldor series)... i hope that with good math bases i will later concentrate in the verbal part.

I hope the best for you at thunderbird, that is a great school

[Ramiro]

Hi Catalina,

i think it's better to learn with gmat books, so as to practice with gmat situations (in english, and specific kind of math problems)

Also look for Princeton books, such as "Math Workout for GMAT" and "Verbal Workout for GMAT". They're good books, at least for me.

Regarding grammar, i definitely believe that toefl books are also invaluable (although toefl is too easy comparing with gmat), such as Delta's key to the Toefl test. Have you taken the toefl test?

I know that preparing the gmat (in fact, the mba admission in general) means a LOT of money for us, specially with our currency, but i believe it's useful to look for counseling in institutes dedicated to mba applicants. You could go just one/two weeks just to know which stuff should you study!, and then prepare the gmat test alone.

ramiro.

[jormat]

Hi Ramiro,

I am Jorge from Mexico. I also appreciate your recommendations for the MBA application process. I myself might are starting to prepare for the GMAT (probably I will take it in October or early November) and TOEFL (I am thinking in taking it around September). GMAT is definitely the difficult test of those two. In my case I do not have a strong math background so I am struggling with some of the exercises. Was this section also difficult for you? What did you study as an undergrad student?

Also, can you tell us a bit about your work experience? Do you have 3 or more years? Which sector, Private, Public or Non-Profit?

If you can share this, it would be helpful, in my opinion. And congrats in your admission to the MBA program

Thanks

[CatalinaN]

Hi Ramiro,

I will try to check on the books that you recommend me for math, so far that's been the hardest point, to find good math literature in English, , in Colombia, we all learn math with the Baldor books, which are really hard and complete, in English, I have one book for algebra, that is called practical algebra, a self teaching guide, I also have the schaum's geometry book, but the book that i bought for arithmetics totally sucked .

I already got the Kaplan's book and the one from Barron's, I know that the last one is not the best for concepts, but it has a lot of practice tests, i also got a lot of GRE preparation stuff, because at first i tought that had to take it, but now i found out that i only have to take the GMAT, but the good thing of the GRE preparation material are the great verbal resources... i have the Barron's GRE book, which is great in terms of vocabulary and it also has a very good math review.

I took the TOEFL two years ago, and i got 252, i also have the Kaplan's TOEFL workbook, and the best grammar book ever: Grammar in use, it is a really good book, for anybody who wants to practice grammar, is very clear and it has a lot of exercises. I am also reading the lord of the rings, because a friend of mine who got 297 in the TOEFL, told me that his only preparation was to read this book in english.

As you say, getting ready for the GMAT for us is very expensive, I have a lot of material, but I bought it before, because I know that at some point I would have to take this test, I was taking it some kind of slowly, but now I am starting to prepare in a more serious way.

I really appreciate all your info and help

[Ramiro]

Hi Jorge, como estas/how are you,

thanks and also good luck with the gmat!.

I've got a Computer Science Undergraduate Degree ('licenciado en informatica?'), in fact, i've done computer science engineer, but i didn't have time to finish the thesis due to a post graduate course on Project Management, work issues, and so on.

The point is trying to find the main type of problems (ten? fifteen?) that involves the math section. I believe it's worthless to do the math section as a whole. In my case, and I think it's the same problem for everyone, I didn't remember anything (geometry, formulas, techniques). In fact, working in IT and project management, i'm not too much involved in math issues (at least for now)

"Also, can you tell us a bit about your work experience? Do you have 3 or more years? Which sector, Private, Public or Non-Profit?"

Regarding my professional experience, I've worked 6 years in Telefonica, in Argentina (South America), as you may know, is the leading telecommunications operator in the spanish/portuguese speaking countries. I had the chance to travel, and also to work in projects that involves the participation of several countries.

The first thing you must do is find out which is the main focus of your dream program. For instance, Thunderbird has strong focus on international business, so they value your international experience (international Work experience, travels, exposition to another cultures and languages)

let's keep in touch!

Hi Ramiro,

I am Jorge from Mexico. I also appreciate your recommendations for the MBA application process. I myself might are starting to prepare for the GMAT (probably I will take it in October or early November) and TOEFL (I am thinking in taking it around September). GMAT is definitely the difficult test of those two. In my case I do not have a strong math background so I am struggling with some of the exercises. Was this section also difficult for you? What did you study as an undergrad student?

Also, can you tell us a bit about your work experience? Do you have 3 or more years? Which sector, Private, Public or Non-Profit?

If you can share this, it would be helpful, in my opinion. And congrats in your admission to the MBA program

Thanks

Hi Catalina,

Remember that the TOEFL and GMAT tests, are valid for N years!. For instance, in Thunderbird TOEFL scores are valid for two years.


"I am also reading the lord of the rings, because a friend of mine who got 297 in the TOEFL, told me that his only preparation was to read this book in english."

Obviously it is useful to read books in english, but i'm not agree that you should use it as your toefl training, most people needs specific toefl books for training (i guess your friend was prepared before reading lotr books)

personal statement: I loved the books (los lei en español cuando no se habian hecho las peliculas y todos te miraban raro si decias que los leias!!!), but I definitely prefer the 'Vampires Chronicles' (Ann Rice)

Hi Ramiro,

I will try to check on the books that you recommend me for math, so far that's been the hardest point, to find good math literature in English, , in Colombia, we all learn math with the Baldor books, which are really hard and complete, in English, I have one book for algebra, that is called practical algebra, a self teaching guide, I also have the schaum's geometry book, but the book that i bought for arithmetics totally sucked .

I already got the Kaplan's book and the one from Barron's, I know that the last one is not the best for concepts, but it has a lot of practice tests, i also got a lot of GRE preparation stuff, because at first i tought that had to take it, but now i found out that i only have to take the GMAT, but the good thing of the GRE preparation material are the great verbal resources... i have the Barron's GRE book, which is great in terms of vocabulary and it also has a very good math review.

I took the TOEFL two years ago, and i got 252, i also have the Kaplan's TOEFL workbook, and the best grammar book ever: Grammar in use, it is a really good book, for anybody who wants to practice grammar, is very clear and it has a lot of exercises. I am also reading the lord of the rings, because a friend of mine who got 297 in the TOEFL, told me that his only preparation was to read this book in english.

As you say, getting ready for the GMAT for us is very expensive, I have a lot of material, but I bought it before, because I know that at some point I would have to take this test, I was taking it some kind of slowly, but now I am starting to prepare in a more serious way.

I really appreciate all your info and help

[CatalinaN]

Hi Ramiro,



Oh yeah, I know that those tests have a valid time. For GMAT is 5 years and TOEFL as you said is 2 years, that is why I know that I have to get ready for TOEFL too, but I will take this test 2 months after the GMAT, since I know that after getting ready for the GMAT it is easier to nail the TOEFL. I am planning on more preparation for this test that the Lord of the rings, but I love reading it because is a great book and also a great way to improve my vocabulary. I already got the Kaplan´s book for TOEFL, because I know that having a good score in this test is very important also in the application process. By the way how did you do on this test?



I never read lord of the rings before, not even in Spanish, but I loved the movie so much that I had to read the book… Vampires Chronicles I haven´t read it either, but if you like reading about adventurous lifes, I really recommend you De parte de la princesa muerta, es muy bueno, yo me lo he leido en español y en frances y es genial.