I"m wondering if it's true that part time MBA programs accept lower than average GMAT scores. For example, if a good school has an average GMAT score of 700, will its part time program have an average GMAT score of 650? Someone told me that part-time programs pay a lot more attention to other factors besides GMAT scores - even more so than full time or executive programs.
Hey David,
I'm new here, so hey everybody else too.
I need some advice on how I can improve my prospects for admission to a top MBA program (I really want to go to one of the very best, and I'm thinking entrepreneurial, finance, or operations management focus would be the best fit for my interests and personality.)
My problem is my undergraduate GPA is well under par at about 2.7, but I have a number of factors offsetting this. I just don't know what or how much is needed to make up for it:
1) I surprised myself with a high GMAT score (49 Q, 88%, 46 V, 99%, 6.0 AWA) at 770.
2) In addition, I will complete my degree in Econ from UNC in 3 years w/ ~140 hours at the end of this semester. I got B's in business/accounting classes.
3) My transcript also shows that I didn't take a lot of the grade-inflating fluff most people take freshman year (AP exams took care of that), and that I took difficult classes many times when I didn't have to (I always thought a B or C in a hard class was better than an A or B in an easy one).
So here's my question: Just what does it take, if it is possible at all, to overcome a low undergrad GPA?
My current thinking is that my numbers MIGHT BE good enough to get me into a top ranked MAC program (UNC, #7, is in-state for me), and with a CPA license, good grad school grades, a few years of work experience and good recommendations, I could convince admissions boards to pretty much ignore my undergrad GPA as a fluke (I have successfully self-treated some psychological problems at the root of my poor GPA for fear of a record of needing professional help. Is this fear justified?) and go to an excellent MBA program.
Will it work or do I have to permanently lower my sites because of that GPA I can now barely budge? Would it be better to stay in college another year, or would it begin to look like I was just trying to boost my GPA since I already have so many hours?
Last edited by jydavid; 01-21-2009 at 02:01 AM. Reason: adding "license" after "CPA"
Originally Posted by Jasim
Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
Given the competitive nature with the current and upcoming admissions cycle, I would strongly recommend that you focus solely now on building your professional experience. In addition, you will want to ramp up your community and extracurricular involvement for all the competitive schools are looking for leadership potential. Proving that you are constantly challenging yourself is highlighted best by your work productivity and your involvements outside of work. You will most likely want to acquire at least 2 to 3 years of work experience though the real key is to time your applications for when you are ready for your MBA. In the meantime, also begin building your network to expand your list of potential recommenders.
Best of luck with your applications and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc.
www.admissionsconsultants.com
info@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885
Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
Your academic marks are really strong and if you can score a 750 GMAT score; you will certainly clear the academic hurdle.
Moreover, your extracurricular interest in music is an interesting angle, but you have to make sure that you draw out specifically how you have continued to challenge yourself via your music interest.
Finally, you did not mention if you are applying this year or next. If you are indeed applying for R3 this year, the competition will be tough but not impossible. What will be key is your professional outline. You state you want to make this transition but your career goals are not clear enough. Confidence must be exhibited in your decision to make this move.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc.
www.admissionsconsultants.com
info@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885
hi, David:
First of all, thank you for generously taking the time to answer questions about the MBA admission process. I have gained some invaluable insight by reading your responses on this thread. I'm hoping you could evaluate my profile and give me some advice? (My profile is rather long, as my background is a bit unusual for b-school and I think it'd help me get more targeted advice if I give more details)
I took the GMAT recently and got 680 (Q:46 V:37). Giving that R1 and R2 have already ended at B-schools, I'm trying to decide between my two options,
1. Whether I should not worry about my GMAT scores and just focus on my essays and recommendation letters and apply for R3, then if I don't get into a b-school of my choice, then I'll retake the GMAT and re-apply to those same schools in R1 in the fall.
2. Should I not apply for R3 and simply direct my energies on studying some more and retake the GMAT to get a 700+ score and apply for R1 spots in the fall?
Here's my profile:
Personal - 29 yr old Asian American female
Edu - GPA: 3.66, cum laude, from a top 5 liberal arts college. Major: economics Minor: psychology
- GPA: 3.68 Screenwriting certificate from Emerson College at the graduate school level
- GPA: 3.8 some general courses at a local community college (although it's most recent, i'm not sure whether i should even include it in my application, since the classes I took are for self-improvement purposes, like Investing and Graphic Design classes)
besides my undergraduate studies, all other courses were completed when I was working full-time
Work exp:
-3 yrs as a Research Assistant at a top 10 national hospital.
--During this time, I got a promotion, co-authored several papers published in nationally recognized journals, incl. one where I was the 2nd author.
--Am the first one in my dept to learn a new internal classification system and trained other staff on its use
-Got the creative bug, quit the job and got two internships, one at a production house, the other one was at a post-production facility, in both places I got to assist on projects and being on location shoots for national networks like CBS, MTV, etc.
-put together a portfolio, came out to S.Ca, got a job as a designer at a small internet company.
--worked with international contractors, including supervising 1 overseas designer.
--am the only designer in my company, so I'm a jack-of-all-trades, doing both print and web work.
-currently self-employed after gotten laid off in Aug.
Extracurricular:
-not too much since I graduated, I didn't have much free time b/c I pretty much always had both a full-time job and full courseload.
-right now I joined two women's business leadership associations, I also signed up to volunteer for my local design association and the animal shelter (I'd do that even if I wasn't applying to b-school), but these were way recent and I currently don't hold any leadership position in either organization.
Reason for b-school:
eventually I'd like to have my own business, so going to b-school is always at the back of my mind. but the laid-off prob. pushed the dates earlier, which is fine w/me. I don't want to go to b-school when I'm 35+.
My dream schools:
My top choice is Kellogg, followed by UCLA, USC, Stanford, and Berkeley.
While my 680 GMAT score isn't too shabby, it's not that great either. My quant. section is also worse than my verbal. Although I can counter that by pointing out my GPA as a econ major, it may also help that my school's econ dept has a very good reputation.
My main concern is my unconventional background, esp. b/c I didn't come from the typical i-banking, management consulting background. Also, since my switched careers, my job titles aren't as impressive, I was always an assistant of some type 'til my last job, not some corporate VP with 100 underlings. I've heard that b-schools are looking for diversity, but I really don't know if my kind of work experience would be an asset or hindrance in the application process.
Some of my other concerns are:
What type of qualities should I emphasize in my applications? Do I have enough leadership experience? (it's difficult for me to compare myself with most candidate profiles on the web as I've not read one with a similar background successfully got into top b-schools)
Do I need to include all my transcripts, including those at the community college?
What are my chances in R3? does re-apply hurt your chances more than if you simply wait for R1, when the competition presumably isn't as bad? I'd really like to enter business school in fall'09, but I also want to get into a top school of my choice.
I welcome any suggestions you may have. Thanks so much in advance.
Hi and thanks for your inquiry,Hi David,
My GMAT is 710 with 5 years of workex in Investment Management
I have already applied for LBS - MBA, LBS - MIF, Oxford - MBA, Oxford - MFE, Darden - MBA. All in second deadlines.
I am applying for Cambridge and Insead in the third deadline out of a total of four deadlines. Does it make sense, or will I be closing my doors for the futures? Also how would you evaluate IE, spain? Also suggest some other schools.
Your GMAT score is strong but I do not have enough information on your complete profile to truly assess your chances nor your list of schools. It seems reasonable though that with good career progression and extracurriculars, you should have been competitive at all of those R2 schools with well-prepared applications. School selection is a personal decision and your career goals and objectives must align well with the schools mission and concentration offerings.
In regards to applying to several schools this year, R3 will be difficult but not impossible for those candidates who have strong backgrounds and have clearly and strategically outlined their goals. You have applied to two degree programs, but you have to ensure that you are stressing confidence in each particular application for if any admissions committee senses you are oscillating with your options, you’re going to find your application in the rejection pile.
If you end up reapplying next year, you are right – the stress for a reapplicant is a bit higher as you will need new and innovative factors to bring to your profile. However, I would not focus on this now but rather make sure to bring a solid and well crafted message to your R3 applications.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc.
www.admissionsconsultants.com
info@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885
Hi and thanks for your inquiry.
It is true that most PT programs have lower GMAT ranges than their counterparts in the FT program. However, the differences between those scores range for each school and is generally because the PT program has a smaller pool of applicants from which to choose. Even with this fact, academic potential will still be assessed. Thus you still do not want to be quite far behind the average range listed for your targeted school. If you are scoring well below the marks listed for your schools of interest, do considering retaking the GMAT once again.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc.
www.admissionsconsultants.com
info@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885
Dear David,
I highly appreciate your efforts. Simply superb.
My career progression has been excellent, however my aceds and extra currics are average. Five years down the line, I see myself as a Fund Manager on a global platform and later on would like to start my own Investment firm and be in Singapore. In light of this and the current global slowdown, please advise wthr I should apply to IE, Spain. I have also decided to apply for INSEAD, Singapore for Jan Intake.
(Even if the adcom were to collate 2 apps, in the hindsight I dint think that I have jeopardized my own chances to make it at either. My apps specifically mention the need for each program differently and finally are directed towards my long term goal. I am firm on my long term goal, on my medium term goal, all I am open is for a a course, which imparts excellent Finance and Leadership skills. Please advise)
Hello Mr. Petersam,
My name is Jason. I'm 30, have a BSc from the University of Toronto, 3.3 GPA last 2 years. 5+ years of part-time, post-grad, experience. I prefer to discuss with you my other activities during my post-grad experience through PM. I have yet to take the GMAT but am expecting high 600s to mid 700s based on practice tests.
I'm applying mostly to Canadian (I was born and raised in Canada) schools. My concern lies with applying this late in the cycle. Although the deadline of most of the schools I'm applying to is April 30 or later, I've been told by some admissions staff that the class often fills up way in advance of the deadline. To what extent is this true (especially at the top tier schools like Toronto)?
Further to this query, is it too late to take the GMAT at the end of March?
Thank you sir for your time. It is much appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jason
Hi and thanks for your inquiry once again.
My question to you is how did you pick your choice of schools? You chosen 2 European schools and 1 American school and now you are contemplating IE. There are several options in the States if you are looking at a school that specializes in your desired niche. Moreover, many schools now have great connections and satellites all over the globe, and Singapore is a strong market. If you focus really is the European market of schools, IE is a strong European program, but to really gain a better understanding of their alumni connections and career resources, I suggest you call their offices and ask to speak to alumni members with your similar profile and career objective. This will give you a better understanding of your options.
Best of luck with your applications!
Sincerely,
David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc.
www.admissionsconsultants.com
info@admissionsconsultants.com
703.242.5885
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