Naijaman

Hi, I share a similar concern to you regarding the GMAT score. In addition, I scored 720, not 750. I wanted that extra ONE point raw score, which would have put me at 90%. I am also wondering how I will fare with some of the top 20 schools, especially since I am looking to get into a finance program, which is among the most quant-based of doctoral biz programs.

Moomber, thanks for the response, and I certainly see the points raised by you and others. The bottom line is, I like teaching, and I like the lifestyle of an academic. I am not particularly keen on re-entering the corporate sector on a full-time basis (though possibly as a part-time consultant). I have been a teacher for 5 years, and no matter what, I will always be a teacher at heart. I have certain areas which I have great interest in doing research in (though my primary interest is teaching), and basically need to find a good fit for my interests. I am only now beginning to realize how much goes into simply deciding on a program and admission, let alone completion :hmm:. I am also not necessarily dead-set on teaching at a certain level school as I am interested in ensuring that I will be fairly well placed and paid upon completion. The only major issue for me is giving up 3-4 years of full-time income to pursue this interest. That will be very hard...(I have bills). However, if I can overcome this obstacle, I hope to undertake the endeavor of a doctoral program in business.

AstralTraveller, Just don't give up hope. You might actually end up finding out a professorial career is exactly your ideal career move. You have to try and test the waters to find out. You might be right. I will certainly look into this. I will start by speaking to profs and doctoral students at NYU and Columbia, since they are here in the city, and get a feel for whether this is for me. I can also evaluate my chances given my profile. Thanks again for the feedback. I looked at the pre-doc program @ NYU, but I read the deadline for 08-09 was in January, and besides, it would be very hard for me to give up a year of FT work that is not directly in the doctoral program. I need at least a year to handle some personal debt...

Hi all, I greatly appreciate all the responses from everyone. The feedback might help me evaluate my decisions and chances... AstralTraveller, I am 28 years old--I would be 30 by the time the program starts in '09. I had no idea until I started coming onto these boards that age would be such a factor. I guess age is an issue, because though I am quite inclined to continue teaching on some level, and doing some research in my field of interest, I do not know if I can spend my early 30s making minimal income. Though public school teaching does not pay what I desire, I am not quite making chump change either. I like teaching, and I like the lifestyle that being a professor would afford me, and will look into the requirements for research and publication required of me in order to attain such status. Thanks again for responses.

Hi, I am currently completing year 5 as a math teacher from a public high school in Queens, NY. I have paid my dues, and I have had enough of the public school classroom, and the paycheck that accompanies it. I have minimal experience in management or finance, but I have 3 degrees. Here is my background: B.S. Computer Science, 3.2 GPA (not too great school) Two master's degrees: M.A. Economics, 3.3 GPA (public univ.) M.A. Education, 3.9 GPA (mid-tier private univ.) Test Scores GMAT: 720 (95%ile) -- 48Q, 41V GRE: 730Q, 600V, 580A Work experience: 1+ year in IT 5 years as a teacher I'm told that I would pretty much be a lock for nearly any MBA Finance program given my educational, work, and general background, but my parents are West African immigrants, and I guess they would feel validated if I did a doctorate, especially from a top tier school. BESIDES, I DON'T WANT A THIRD MASTER'S DEGREE!!! I would primarily be interested in finance, but would also be open to applying to such programs as: - Applied Economics - Real Estate - General Management with a relevant minor ** I took a couple of doctoral level courses in economics, but I would like to study less hypothetical and more specific scenarios involving business, real estate finance as it relates to stock market behavior. I have pretty specific purposes for my sudy, which would be specified in my letter of intent, which should be strong. I could also get 2 decent letters of rec. What are my chances of getting into a top 20 program in any of these fields?