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wallburg · 11-04-2007, 09:05 AM

hello everyone. I found this forum about a week ago and the information is excellent.

I am preparing to go to grad school (career change) and have some concerns about my ability to get in.

I have not taken the GMAT yet but in all of my practices I have scored 700 - 720. My undergrad degree was an EE but my GPA was only a 2.6. I was working two jobs totalling 60 hours a week as part of my scholarship requirement and to pay for rent, books, food, etc. But this area really scares me.

I currently work as a manager at a steel mill where i manage both maintenance and operations personel. I have been working here for about 4 years, manage about 40 employees and have worked on several projects. anyone who has worked in manufacturing, especially with a union, understands the vast personalities and tasks involved in day to day work.

I spend alot of time volunteering with big brothers/big sisters and with tutoring teens with an after school program in my city.

I run my own business selling mens and women's clothing

I have references from my current boss and a professor from undergrad.

I wanted to know what are my realistic chances of getting into a MBA program. I was looking for the DC/Maryland area such as George Washington, Univ of Maryland, Gtown. Also since i live in pittsburgh, Pitt and CMU

GMATbong · 11-04-2007, 10:35 PM

Do you know what kind of career you want after MBA? I will say your chances are okay since they are not first tier M7 schools. However, if you are career changer, those schools will probably won't help you.

wallburg · 11-05-2007, 10:31 PM

Thanks for the reply. I just wonder how come a career change can't happen if you are not in "top tier" school.

I am only 24. I really don't think that of the hundreds of people that go to grad school each year that some couldn't possibly make a change. I know it would probally be at an entry level position but i would think my education and past experience would allow me to succeed.

GMATbong · 11-06-2007, 02:50 AM

Career change will be difficult for second tier schools since international recruitors don't usually recruit there. For local recruits, you will have a chance but be perpared to earn less than what you are making now.

BTW, I still don't know how big of a career change you are looking for. If its a logical progression of managment jobs at say, steel mills, then MBA at those school will help. i.e. business dev in steel mills. However, if you are looking for investment banking or consulting firms (M/B/B), you will have a very hard time getting that job.

11-04-2007, 09:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
wallburg Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	MBA chances with lower GPA hello everyone. I found this forum about a week ago and the information is excellent. I am preparing to go to grad school (career change) and have some concerns about my ability to get in. I have not taken the GMAT yet but in all of my practices I have scored 700 - 720. My undergrad degree was an EE but my GPA was only a 2.6. I was working two jobs totalling 60 hours a week as part of my scholarship requirement and to pay for rent, books, food, etc. But this area really scares me. I currently work as a manager at a steel mill where i manage both maintenance and operations personel. I have been working here for about 4 years, manage about 40 employees and have worked on several projects. anyone who has worked in manufacturing, especially with a union, understands the vast personalities and tasks involved in day to day work. I spend alot of time volunteering with big brothers/big sisters and with tutoring teens with an after school program in my city. I run my own business selling mens and women's clothing I have references from my current boss and a professor from undergrad. I wanted to know what are my realistic chances of getting into a MBA program. I was looking for the DC/Maryland area such as George Washington, Univ of Maryland, Gtown. Also since i live in pittsburgh, Pitt and CMU

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11-04-2007, 10:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
GMATbong TestMagic Guru Verified Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,417	Do you know what kind of career you want after MBA? I will say your chances are okay since they are not first tier M7 schools. However, if you are career changer, those schools will probably won't help you.

11-05-2007, 10:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
wallburg Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3	Thanks for the reply. I just wonder how come a career change can't happen if you are not in "top tier" school. I am only 24. I really don't think that of the hundreds of people that go to grad school each year that some couldn't possibly make a change. I know it would probally be at an entry level position but i would think my education and past experience would allow me to succeed.

11-06-2007, 02:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
GMATbong TestMagic Guru Verified Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,417	Career change will be difficult for second tier schools since international recruitors don't usually recruit there. For local recruits, you will have a chance but be perpared to earn less than what you are making now. BTW, I still don't know how big of a career change you are looking for. If its a logical progression of managment jobs at say, steel mills, then MBA at those school will help. i.e. business dev in steel mills. However, if you are looking for investment banking or consulting firms (M/B/B), you will have a very hard time getting that job.

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