Recommended Range of Schools to Target?
Hello All! I am not so much interested to hear input as to my chances to get into schools as I am to learn where my "suggested" range should be. I plan to apply to a wide range of schools safety and reach, but am having a hard time understanding if I should focus more on schools in the 20s ranks or teens, etc. I believe I have a fairly competitive profile, but am interested to hear any input from the folks here :)
Current Target Schools: Washington Foster, UCLA, UNC, Emory, Dartmouth (Reach)
26 y/o white male
GPA - 3.6 Final Cum Laude, 3.8 Final 2 years
College - Accounting Degree from top undergrad business school in the state (small public liberal arts college)
GMAT - taking at end of the month, shooting for high 600s, performance on practice tests has been encouraging
Desigations - CPA
Career - Audit in Big 4 Accounting (5 years at time of matriculation, 4 years currently), recently made the switch to internal innovation department working in teams to design Apps and new programs
Part of my "story" will be explaining that this new position has sparked an interested in technology and consulting so explaining why I am interested in a career switch. I feel like this opportunity will help backup this theory in the essays and my professional recommendations. I have received promotions on track with the normal promotion schedule for my firm.
Extra curricular - Big Brother Big Sisters, heavy recruiting involvement (leading programs, not just visiting campuses), leader of Bike for MS charity for local office
I know its hard to say without my having the GMAT yet, but just curious to hear some feedback. I know that even if I crack the 700s I am a longshot for top 10 programs, but even learning opinions saying to focus more in the twenties or teens is helpful!
Thanks!
Speak to an admissions consultant -- I'm a big fan of Natalie from Accepted, as I used her.
I say it as I got into a program which was way higher-ranked than I thought I was a candidate for, and each program has its strengths/weaknesses which may match your profile. I couldn't recommend it enough.
you should first develop a MBA goal, visit schools from the top 3-5 to 20-30s. You may be counting yourself out for good ones for future, but you simply have too few data points to assess your tier.
also FYI a "top program in the state" undergrad background doesnt mean anything outside of its region, unless its also in the national spotlight. a top from Wyoming or Idaho is vastly different from, say, Clairemont, USC or UCLA from California.
I would add uva/michigan. you have a good gpa. just need to crack 700
Thanks for the advice everyone! I am starting to schedule visits to each of the schools and thanks for suggesting Darden, they are on my list to visit. Good point on the top in state comment, should have stated top 30 undergrad business school instead.
Mene,
I would caution you against looking at "ranges." Look for individual schools that will help you achieve your goals and that provide a reasonable chance of acceptance. Yes "reasonable" can be elastic -- from reach to safety.
If you assume a 680 GMAT Foster, UNC, and Emory are reasonable. Dartmouth and UCLA are reach programs.
I can't suggest other programs because you didn't really say what you want to do after your MBA. You hinted at technology consulting. If so, also consider UT Austin, CMU Tepper, and Cornell Tech.
Regards, Linda
sort of disagree. all in all, M7 students are likely to have multiple admit letters from other M7s, except students might use individual program specs to tailor their applications AND choose final decision with those characteristics in mind. I feel range is good for research until applications starts.
GMAT doesn't make a school reach/safety either. After all, not all high fly GMAT takers are awarded scholarships right? if HBS has all the 760 GMATs, it takes enough people with under 700 GMATs to balance the medians too.
I'm not quite sure what you're point is. If you are disagreeing with me because you feel that if someone has great stats and experience they can aim for elite schools -- the so-called M7 -- because those programs will get them where they want to go wherever that may be, you might be right. But the poster isn't in that camp. And he may find that a program in the twenties overall is fantastic for his specific goals. And it could be that programs in the teens are not as good given his specific goals. By focusing on tiers applicants could miss some excellent programs. Specifics count. Like where grads get jobs. Programs offered. Tiers don't reflect those specifics.
QUOTE:
I'm not quite sure what you're point is. If you are disagreeing with me because you feel that if someone has great stats and experience they can aim for elite schools -- the so-called M7 -- because those programs will get them where they want to go wherever that may be, you might be right. But the poster isn't in that camp. And he may find that a program in the twenties overall is fantastic for his specific goals. And it could be that programs in the teens are not as good given his specific goals. By focusing on tiers applicants could miss some excellent programs. Specifics count. Like where grads get jobs. Programs offered. Tiers don't reflect those specifics.
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I am not disagreeing with what you said right above, but I still emphasize the need to check out the best of the best programs first, before visiting other places down the ladder. While top 20 program resources can be already already satisfying for those who might not have planned for better schools, the candidates would have set the wrong expectations before exploring the best programs, and see why the top 20s have certain disadvantages against the M7, the Sweet 16, etc.
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