Ktinak Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 Test Scores (GMAT/GRE): I am currently studying for the GMAT. I’m scoring on practice tests around 645 with minimal studying, but I am shooting for at least a 720. Undegrad GPA: Finance, Grand Valley State University. 2.89 (major GPA is 3.2) Graduate GPA: Finance, University of Michigan (Dearborn) currently have a 3.7 but I have only taken 2 classes at this point. I plan to take some OB classes while I am doing my Masters. Research Experience: I am doing graduate research this fall, but it is mainly market research. I plan to contact professors after my fall semester to assist with their research. Teaching Experience: None Work Experience: 3 years in the financial industry (1 in sales, 2 in operations) Concentration Applying to: OB/Management Number of programs planned to apply to: ~15 Dream Schools: University of Michigan, Purdue, Indiana University, George Washington Other schools currently considering: MSU, Wayne State University, Virginia Tech. I have a list of about 40 schools so far, so I need to narrow it down. I will be applying for Fall 2021. Other Questions: What other opportunities should I pursue while in my Master’s to be more competitive? What made you want to pursue a PhD? I have always loved research, but never considered a PhD an option in my field until about a year ago. I have had a few bosses at this point and it always interested me I how the employees’ demeanor completely changed with the management style. I have also gone through a large merger, and am interested in employee satisfaction after a merger/acquisition. This has lead me to my main research interest in leadership and mergers/acquisitions within the financial industry. Questions or concerns you have about your profile? My undergrad GPA and my lack of math classes (I have not taken calculus classes in my undergrad, but was able to use rudimentary skills in my finance classes from my high school calculus). Only brief research experience (so far). Any additional specific questions you may have: I am mainly trying to get into Purdue/Indiana University (this is most likely where my fiancé will be to do his IMG waiver in Infectious Disease). For anyone with experience at those two schools, what do they weigh most heavily in the application? Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tm_associate Posted August 26, 2019 Share Posted August 26, 2019 you're interests seem more aligned with strategic management as a sub-discipline. leadership in macro-research is more or less focused on Board of Directors, CEOs, and Top Management Teams. This coupled with your interests in M&A would put you in the strategy world, more so than the OB world. If you wish to get some training on both sides, look for programs that may be fairly solid in both strategy and OB. On the surface level, your GPA will be the hurdle may knock you out of different programs. I personally think that this will need to be explicitly addressed in your SOP. Not that this is 'fair' in assessing candidates, but I think through experience adcoms have learned that GPA is a fairly solid indicator overall and special situations exist, but are not that common. A very high GMAT score is something that may help the committee assess your 'academic aptitude' to handle doctoral training. Don't bank on a specific university granting you admissions (i.e., Purdue/Indiana). I would definitely increase the number of schools plan to apply to closer to 25-35 range, if not more. Try reaching out to doctoral program directors ahead of time and let them know you are interested in the program, and see what are the things they are looking for and ask them what you can do to be more competitive. This may help signal interest to the department. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktinak Posted August 27, 2019 Author Share Posted August 27, 2019 Thank you for the insight! I agree with Strategic Mgt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandalorian Posted August 29, 2019 Share Posted August 29, 2019 It's going to be a hard sell. The UG GPA is pretty terrible. However, if you get the masters with glowing reviews from advisors there and demonstrate a strong research drive and maturity, you may have a shot. You will really need a good hook to offset the UG GPA. Like @tm_associate said, you should apply to many more schools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ktinak Posted September 5, 2019 Author Share Posted September 5, 2019 Thank you for the feedback! I definitely plan to get as much research experience as I can over the next year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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