Ask mbaMission about Business School Admissions

Hi tz15! Thanks for reaching out to us. Three years is sufficient to apply for an MBA, especially if you've had a promotion. Are you still involved with the non-profit? If not, can you restart that or join something similar? Would be great to show leadership in an activity like that. Your GPA will be on the low end for M7 schools, so definitely focus on getting that high GMAT! The CFA, and upward trend, helps too. If you can get a 730 or higher then I would give some M7 schools a shot. Outside the M7, look at schools like Cornell or Stern if you want to pursue banking. Most schools have strong consulting placements but check out ones like Ross for its action based program that is great prep for consulting. Best of luck!

Hey Wsup! Excellent academic background, and curious what your unique skill is! A higher GMAT never hurts, but I also don't think you need to retake. 2 years is a little light experience wise, though often consulting is a field that draws early career applicants. Have you been promoted in that time? Have project leadership accomplishments? It's ideal to have one recommender be a current supervisor, or for consultants, be a manager / director level who has supervised your work on a project. Any mentors you have at the firm would work too. Most applicants are able to secure these even though applying means they would leave their position, so it's not usually an issue. Try to avoid using co-workers who are at the same level for both letters unless you have to. Overall, you've got a really strong profile. Definitely can be aiming for H/S/W assuming your execution is strong and essays extremely well written. H/S/W only strategy is risky for pretty much any applicant though, so just be aware that you're aiming really high. Feel free to reach out to us for a free consult, or with any other questions!

Hi Gerry_Garner, You're at a point now where a full-time MBA makes sense, and many EMBA programs look for closer to 10 years experience (though I do know some applicants who've gotten in to programs like Columbia with less than that). The main difference is in the career resources, with full-time you have the opportunity to do an internship and you have companies hiring on campus and plenty of time for job networking. EMBA students are more set in their career industry/function, and usually look to advance level-wise. Given your target industry, I understand why you're targeting those top programs. For those schools, your GPA could be slightly challenging, but your excellent GMAT and leadership will hopefully make up for that (since they are more recent).

I would give it a shot with the full-time programs this year, and if you get into a top one that you love, great! If not, then you've got the EMBA option in your back pocket. I would also add MIT Sloan Fellows program to your list, similar experience level to EMBAs but it's a one year full-time program. And maybe Cornell? I know it's not NE and top 10, but I hear quite strong for real estate.

Best of luck! Kate

Hi Peter Bread!

I'm glad you've narrowed in on Columbia and the Value Investing program. Are you planning to apply Early Decision? I would, and I would also aim to apply ahead of the deadline (like in the summer). Visit campus before then too (if you haven't already) and talk to students/alums who have been a part of the program.

Your profile is strong -- great GMAT / GPA stats. Your demographic pool is tough though so you'll need every bit of edge. Try to boost your community service and leadership. On the job, can you volunteer for new initiatives/committees? Training or recruiting? Those can "count" as leadership too. Outside work, you have interesting hobbies! Can you do any community work related to those? Like music-related community programs? Or teaching jiu-jitsu to kids? If not, you could explore opportunities via your undergrad alumni organization, or there are lots of outlets to do tutoring or pro-bono consulting (though these are more common volunteer activities). Anything is better than nothing but ideally choose an activity that you are passionate about, and one that allows you to take a leadership role.

Oh, and 3-4 years experience is definitely in line with what schools are looking for. Good luck! Kate

Hi 2trickpony (love the username!) - I'm Nisha, one of Kate's colleagues. Regarding whether to go with an EMBA or FT MBA - that's a personal decision that depends on how long you are willing to stay at your current company (you seem quite open to it) and whether you want an immersive experience or whether you prefer working while you're studying. I think your target GMAT score is right for the programs you've listed in either case. Definitely do highlight your community/church involvement (frame it in terms of the leadership and impact you demonstrated). I hope that this helps - do let me know of any specific questions/concerns you have. Thanks!

"2trickpony" Hi Kate,

To begin, I'm evaluating if an MBA is the right route for me. My target job is corporate development at mid-large cap company (>$1B). I'm fairly confident I can lateral into an analyst/associate role now and then check EMBA off in a few years time, so I'll give you target schools for both.

Profile: White, Male, Midwest

Academics: Top 50 undergrad, Finance degree with minor in music performance. 3.7 GPA. Extensive ECs in music both in school and metro area.

Work Experience: 4 years at F50. FLDP graduate with on time promotion to Sr. Analyst and top bucket reviews. Currently working for highly strategic platform doing market/financial modeling with some senior leadership exposure.

EC: actively involved in my community through church but very hesitant on how to frame that / even at all

GMAT: not taken, confident I can target 720 with a stretch goal of 740

Full Time Targets: Wharton, Booth, Fuqua, Ross, Tuck

EMBA Targets: Wharton, Fuqua, Ross, Columbia

Thank you very much!

Hello, The Love Doctor! Thanks for reaching out. You have a strong academic profile (GMAT, GPA, CFA). By the way, you can use WES (https://applications.wes.org/igpa-calculator/) to convert your GPA (though you don't need to convert it when you submit your application, just for your own information). Work experience sounds good too and will prepare you well for your post MBA goals. Re. your questions...

1. What impact does being an Eurasian Australian have on my application? **This should give you a bit of a helpful edge. Schools value experiences you've had living/studying in different cultures. **
2. Would it be better to apply in the early decision round or should I just wait until March 2019 to give myself more time to beef up my ECs? **I would apply early decision. As long as you have some EC experience, I think the benefit of early decision outweighs that lack of leadership. **
3. Any ideas for community service and leadership? How would a 2 week overseas volunteer program be viewed? Would it help compensate for my lack of ECs? **Offer to take on any new roles/committees at the charity that may involve some leadership. If that's not possible, can you get involved with your undergrad alumni organization? Are there non-required roles you can take on at work, like mentoring/recruiting/organizing events? Are there other personal interests you pursue or personal accomplishments you can accelerate? (These can count too!). I think an overseas program would be viewed positively, sounds like a great idea. Is there a way to stay involved with the program after the 2 weeks? That would be even better. **
4. Would a 760+ GMAT make a significant difference on my application? Was consistently scoring in the 750-770 range in practice exams so was pretty disappointed with my mark and am considering retaking the exam.** Yes, that would make a significant difference, and may even open up more opportunity for scholarships. You don't need to retake, 740 is a great score, but it sounds like you can score higher, so I would give it another shot. Columbia will accept your highest score. **
5. Any additional advice to strengthen my candidacy? **Especially if you are going to apply early decision, I recommend visiting Columbia, or if that's not possible at least trying to attend an admissions info session in your home city and speaking to alums/students. I think this kind of networking is important to do to demonstrate your interest. **

Hi Macron,

Thanks for reaching out. Your academic background seems really strong with a good GPA, CFA 1 under your belt already, and you were balancing athletics on top of that. Hopefully you can complement all that with a strong GMAT too. Yes, if you've just graduated in 2017, then I would wait at least until you have completed 2 years full-time to apply. Hopefully you can land a promotion before then too.

What about activities outside work? Be sure to have some activities by the time you apply, ideally ones that involve leadership.

GMAT is a big and important unknown, so it's hard to predict your chances at specific schools without knowing that. But given what you've shared, I don't think M7 schools are out of reach for you, if you continue along this strong trajectory. I would plan to target a range of schools, perhaps one or two in the M7 (like Booth or Columbia if you want to focus on finance), one or two in Europe (like HEC Paris or INSEAD if you want to return to France), and then one or two safer options in the top 20.

Hope this helps, and good luck! Kate

Hi CalgaryFinance - thanks for writing! You have very progressive work experience at an international bank, so that's a real strength. Bankers don't have to have experience in one of the BBs (I assume you're referring to GS and the like) - what is important is your career progression and the impact you've made on the organization, both of which seem strong for you based on the info you've provided. It'll also be important to secure recommendations that are full of specific examples that attest to your exceptional performance nad strong potential.

Regarding your GPA - you can address your first-year performance in the Optional Essay (in a way that is candid and assumes responsibility). Your strong GMAT will definitely assuage any concerns the AdCom has about your academic abilities/competitiveness in this area.

It's good that you have had solid extracurricular involvement since college as well - be sure to highlight your youth basketball coaching experience on your resume, mentioning any notable results you've achieved (games won, # of players developed, etc.).

Give your profile, if you put together a high-quality application that covers the areas I mentioned, I think you're a viable candidate for Harvard and Wharton. I recommend creating a list of programs that involves a couple of reach schools (these two are a reach for everyone), a few that are more in your "strike zone" and a couple which you're even more confident about getting into, just to make sure you have some options.

I hope that helps - feel free to reach out with any other questions.

"CalgaryFinance" I am looking for some advice on if there was any chance of an MBA at Harvard or Wharton, and if not, what business schools are possible?

Work Experience: - Summer Analyst Corporate Banking at international bank (think HSBC), earned the highest performance rating out of all summer analysts, and was the only one to be offered a full time position. - Worked 1 in year in their corporate banking rotational program until promoted early (normally the program is two years) - Spent 2 years as an analyst working with their distressed portfolio (working with restructuring, insolvency, and refinancing) - Promoted again, which I have currently been doing for 4 months.

GMAT: 770

Education: - Tier 2 University in Canada (think University of Alberta) - Major GPA 3.62 - Cumulative GPA: 3.2 (poor first year performance) - Student athlete and involved in numerous clubs

Volunteer work: - Coaching youth basketball for years.

Does my GPA/poor uni and lack of a BB brand name bank hurt? Or can my promotions and GMAT change that?

Hello SecretAgentMan! Today is my day to do the boards so no Kate today! My gut reaction is GREAT GPA which schools will love. We often say that GPA is the marathon and GMAT the sprint. B-schools want to know that you are the type of person that will perform in their program and your 3.9 says that perfectly. Re: the GMAT, you may want to circle back once you have an actual score -- the exam is a mental trial and we often find that clients score 20+ points lower on the actual exam than they do on the practices. If you're already at 750 to 770, my recommendation is to book an actual exam ASAP and take it!! Then you will know. And if you need to rejigger your strategy, you still have time to do so before apps open in June and things get crazy. Your gut is right though and we'd want to see 740+ for an American banker/PE candidate.

Current extracurriculars -- sounds like there's not much you can change in the short-term but maybe talk to HR at your firm and see if there's any CSR initiatives you can help with. Also look back at activities you have done in the past and see if you can reconnect. Right now, I worry that you don't have the leadership profile to crack HBS but perhaps that can be mitigated by industry expertise through PE and rockstar recommendations. (One thing to look at -- at your PE firm, when people have left to pursue their MBAs, where have they gone? That's a good signal to help you understand what's possible. If your firm has never sent anyone to H/W/S, it will be tougher than if they have.

3 years in PE is hard to comment on just now -- would want to know more about your industry and deal exposure. With 4 years of experience now, you're in a good place so you don't have to delay.

You seem like the type of person who would get a lot out of a free consultation with us, but to really get the most of out that, I think you should wait til you have an official GMAT score in the bag. Then, sign up.

Hope that helps! Krista

Hi - thanks for writing! I'm Nisha, one of Krista's colleagues :)

The HBS 2+2/GSB deferred programs are extremely competitive. Even though 730 is a great GMAT score, you're wise to aim higher since GMAT is heavily weighted for these types of programs (since candidates don't have as much work experience). A few things to focus on:

• Clarify WHY you want an MBA at this time, for your essays - what are your ST and LT goals, and how will an early career MBA help? Even though these programs are aimed towards liberal arts/STEM majors, you can still try to make a case by discussing sincerely in your apps why you want an MBA in a couple of years - what drives you? What type of skills do you want to gain, and what is your ultimate ambition at this point?

• On your resume/application, fully highlight the impact you've made within that collegiate extracurricular organization (and elsewhere within college) - what are some key accomplishments you've had in your time there? AdComs are looking for exceptional extracurricular impact from 2+2/Deferred candidates (since they indicate leadership ability/potential in the absence of full-time work experience) so the more robust involvement candidates have, the better -Recommendations: the most important thing is that the recommenders KNOW YOU EXTREMELY WELL (not their title). Much better to choose your immediate supervisor (in your case, likely an associate), vs. a CEO/VP who hasn't worked with you as closely. The recommenders need to give specific examples that speak to your career performance and potential.

I hope that those tips give you a good start! If you want to discuss your profile in more detail, please sign up for a 30-min free consultation here: https://www.mbamission.com/consult/?display=mba-admissions

"UWO838" Thanks for doing this mbaMissionKrista !

I’m planning on applying to HBS 2+2 and GSB deferred admission — could you please give me your opinion / tips / chances?

Education State school (50-60 US News range) Applied mathematics / economics major 3.9 GPA

GMAT: 720 (51q, 39v) on first practice exam with minimal studying. Hoping for a 760+ by application time

Work XP: Freshmen internship: Boutique IB Soph internship: IB summer analyst at mid-tier BB (CS/BAML/Citi) + return offer Junior internship: IB summer analyst at top tier BB (GS/MS) + return offer (will be joining full time this summer) Additionally, I’ve taken only 3 classes my senior year and have worked full time as an investment analyst at a well-known university endowment. By application time I’ll have been here 7 months

Ethnicity: Hispanic male (dual citizen) — bilingual

Extra-curriculars: I think this is my weak spot. Meaningful leadership in 1 college organization, have been involved in a few others. Also have musical/sports hobbies that I’ve performed/competed in, but nothing at a notably high level.

Story: Not sure where to go here. Although I’m not a business major, my work experience is heavily finance focused so I don’t think I can play up the “STEM” angle. Long-term career goal is investing in some capacity, although I’m not sure in what capacity (could be PE, emerging markets, world bank/IMF, etc).

Additionally, regarding recommendation letters, how senior should recommenders be? I know that I can get great rec letters from analysts/associates who I worked for as an intern, but I’m not as confident in the recommendations I could get from VP+ (given that I didn’t work as closely with them).

Thanks for your help!

Hi there - thanks for writing! Regarding your GPA, the best way to offset this is with a high GMAT, so I'm glad you're aiming high! Additionally, I would address your GPA in an optional essay, where you'll explain what led to your low academic performance (making sure you take responsibility for it), and what you feel are more accurate indicators of your academic potential (hopefully your GMAT, along with strong work performance). Regarding schools to target, this will depend on what your post-MBA goals are, which geography you're targeting, and what type of culture you're seeking in a program. Also, you'll have a better idea of which schools are a reach or target once you have your GMAT score. Hope that helps for now!

"Waffles21" Hello,

Thanks for doing this. Reading the discussion has been super useful. I was hoping to get your input on what type of business schools to target. A little about me:

Professional experience 1) 2 years of consulting with a Tier 2 management consulting company (equivalent to Deloitte and Accenture) 2) 3 years of corporate strategy experience with 2 of the biggest financial services firms in the world 3) Graduated from a top 20 school - University of Toronto 4) 2 years of entrepreneurship and international volunteering experiences 5) Will be joining the strategy consulting group of a Big 4 consulting company as an Engagement Manager

What I am really worried about is that my GPA in university was really low. I graduated with a 2.1 due to immaturity and a lot of family problems. This has been one of the biggest reasons why I have not had the confidence to take to consider graduate school until now. I am hoping to take the GMAT this year and get a high score (as close to 750 as possible). By the time I apply for MBA schools I should have 6 years of experience.

Any advice on what type of schools to target and what other actions I can do to position myself better for when I apply?

Thanks!

"redpills84th" Hi Team,

Thank you for your invaluable advice and comments on this board. Because of my age (33) and work experience (7 years), I’ve been only applying to one year programs (Kellogg; Goizueta; Mendoza), but I wonder whether I should be applying to 2 year programs (M7 and select top 15 schools) given that I am an international applicant (no green card) and therefore summer internship would be very important for me. I want to work in LevFin/Credit/HY research/debt fund in the U.S. after graduation, but any $100K-200K paying F500 jobs in the U.S. is fine as well. Also, I am retaking GMAT next week to better my chances at top schools. I have a feeling that it would be around 700-720.

The questions are: 1) should I apply to 2 year programs; 2) what are my chances for M7 or top 15 programs; 3) other advice on how I should apply or boost my candidacy.

• Profile: South Korean; 34 at matriculation; male
• Academics: Top 15 undergraduate school in Korea. Majored in business administration and GPA is 3.82/4.5 or 3.40 under a 4.0 scale. Was included in a Dean's Honor List for one semester. Was an active member of an IT-related club during college.
• Compulsory military service (2 years) during college: Was awarded the Battalion Commander’s Commendation Medal for Excellence in weapons inspection.
• Professional Experience: 1) U.S. BB in Seoul (current; 1.5 years) – 3rd year associate (Corporate credit officer – likely to be promoted to VP next year, but will apply for 3R now so not relevant); 2) European BB and worked in Germany (1.5 years) – corporate credit ratings; 3) national development/policy bank (prestigious government bank here) in Korea (4 years) – corporate debt restructuring/credit/ARM; 4) U.S. MM/cross-border boutique in Seoul (6 months; M&A analyst as an intern during school).
• Extracurricular: Currently none
• Test scores: TOEFL 114/120; GMAT 670 (Q 47, V 36)
• Certifications: Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
• Other: Lived as a permanent resident in the U.S. for 7 years (2-9 years old)

Hi, Thanks for posting. So it's true that you'd be quite a bit older than most 2 year full-time MBA students. But as long as you are ok with that... the admissions committee will not focus on age. They will look at # of years of experience, but with 7 years that is not crazy high given the average is often 5 years. So I would say 2 year full time is not out of the question, but that 1 year options (or part time etc) may have more experienced, slightly older classmates as more the norm, so food for thought. I think it’s important that you try to decide for yourself if you prefer 1 or 2 year… with considerations such as that internship; overall quantity of classes you desire to take; time out of the work force at this point in your career; costs; desired timeframe to be fully immersed in this experience, etc. It may help to try to speak with students doing each option asap at some of your target programs as well. In terms of pure admissions, that GMAT re-take will play a large role… not that it would get you IN but right now it may easily keep you out given the level of competition among M7 and top 15 schools etc. So…perhaps reach out again with a higher GMAT for better overall assessment too, or sign up for one of our free consultations. Your work experience, progression, and international experience is all solid, but your grades are not stellar and having no ECs (as you say) are not helping the situation… I would think M7 may be a bit of a reach no matter what. I think you could include a few schools in the top 15-20 outside M7 with a 720 GMAT yes….. anyway keep us posted with more thoughts and test scores, and good luck!

Hi HFbrazillian,

Thanks for posting. Your involvement and activities sound very like a strength of yours; I particularly appreciate that you have co-founded several new groups and initiatives. Good luck on the CFA, that is a small plus as well. Obviously your GMAT is solid. I would just recommend you have 3-4+ years of work experience by the time you matriculate for best chances. I do think you could aim for M7; Wharton comes to mind certainly as does Columbia. Keep in touch with any q's in the coming years and best wishes.

"HFbrazillian" Hi!

I was hoping to get your opinion on what business schools to target.

• Brazillian, Studied Economics in a well known university in Brazil, GPA 3.0 , since my GPA is a conversion I think it is fair to say 3.0 is around Top 5% ~ 10%. GMAT 740.

• Founded the University Investment League, co-founded the Alumni Club and was one of the co-founders of a big movement to end the biggest strike in the history of university (coordinated more than 400 teachers and 3000 students).

• Captain of handball team in university, and played on youth teams (3rd place on state championship, invited to play on big teams in other cities, but did not want to become professional player.)

• First person to get a higher education degree on my family (my grandmother actually was before, but she was already 50 years old, and did it more because was her dream).

• 1.5 years of WE, 1 year in PE, half year in a Family Office Fund of Hedge Funds. The Founder of FoHF was the founder of the biggest Investment Bank in Latin America, which actively hires from Harvard/Wharton. We are very well conected and invest with some of the most famous and well-known HFs in world. We have been among the best performing FoHF in the world sicne inception in eraly 90`s. I supposed his letter should be pretty strong.). 1 promotion.

• Sitting for CFA level 1 this year, expect to be at least level 2 until admissions.

• Post MBA goal to move to HF as investment analysis, since already have connections and perform similar activities on my current job. On the long term I want to launch my own HF.

Would probably apply in 2019.

My dream would be Harvard because it`s a pretty traditional place for Hedge Funds Managers, but knowing the high bar to enter, i would be happy in any M7.

Hi there, and thanks for writing!

EMBA programs typically aren't for candidates who are seeking career transitions but rather, looking to advance in their existing career (company, industry, or both). In your current bank, is there an opportunity to transition into front office eventually (with or without an EMBA?)

For top full-time programs (through which most people transition into IB) the three main criteria by which applications typically are: academics (GMAT and GPA, and quant proficiency demonstrated in one/both), career progression, and personal qualities/extracurricular involvement. Chances of admission into a top-tier program are greater for applicants who show strengths in all 3. Additionally, banks have been known to ask for GMAT scores (not always, but it has happened) so a high score on that exam can be an asset. With 10 years of experience, you'd definitely be on the higher end, so you'd need to explain why NOW is the right time for an MBA.

I hope this helps a bit - if you'd like to discuss further, sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with me here: https://www.mbamission.com/consult/?display=mba-admissions

"naveenn28" Hello, Thank you so much for taking the time to help answer questions about B-School.

Profile: Asian American Male

Experience: 10 years of experience working for multiple major investment banks. Working on the operational side for sales and trading.

Exam: Took the Executive Assessment first time, score 141

Undergrad: Graduated from a state university in Econ. Not a good GPA.

Post MBA: Get into more of the Banking side, which can open more doors to do something else in PE, VC or buy side. I want to have more transferable skills to help find more opportunities outside of just going on to a trading desk.

Possible EMBA schools: Top (Columbia, NYU) Backup (Rutgers) all for 2018.

I am only working towards getting into an EMBA program because I have the total years of experience. I think I am past the time to get into a top Full-time program and I do not think I can even get accepted with my academic background. My questions are: 1. Is EMBA the best choice to help transition into banking because of my operational background? Or is a full-time program aimed best for this type of transition? 2. Do I have a chance to get into these programs? I chose these schools because I feel I need to have a top tier name to get into the banking and/or other front office roles.

Thanks again.

Hey @TerrifyingEagle Thanks for getting in touch. Interesting questions. Let me see if I can help you out here:

1. I personally don't have direct experience with Keller Scholars but I know it's a small number of students each year. There's https://gmatclub.com/forum/fuqua-keller-scholarship-167225.html</a">a good thread on GMATClub with more intel over here. (Although it's a few years old.) Your best bet for detailed info is to go right to the source. Visit Fuqua and ask in person.
2. Lots to factor in here. With all the Top ~15 schools, you are going to find pretty similar jobs. So if your main goal in going to b-school is getting a job, your options inside and outside the M7 will be fairly similar. (Some bulge bracket investment banks and top-tier consulting firms, however, only recruit at a subset of the Top 20. Always check the employment report to see who is listed.)

I also think to your point down below, location, is super-important. You should be happy in that city! As an example, I grew up outside Manhattan, so I knew I wanted to get out of NYC for b-school. Another thing for you to consider is applying as a couple. It can be tough to both make the cut when a program's admit rate is 15%. And then lastly, money. Money can be an important factor for a lot of people. It can be nice to graduate without any debt. That being said, coming out of a top program, your salary should be a decent level so if you plan accordingly, paying off your loans should not be a problem. (I graduated a while ago and my interest rate is so low that I'm in no rush to pay off my loans. Interest rates have changed of course since then.)

I suppose what I am saying is that a lot of people worry about ROI for schools outside the M7 but if you look at the employment reports for a top program like Fuqua, ROI is about the same.

"Travel together" might be tough you know! B-school will keep you pretty busy...

Wow to the 780. Definitely check each school's rules for the cutoff. It would be great if you didn't have to retake!!!

In addition to Fuqua, given your regional preference, why not consider Darden or UNC?

Lastly, you guys would probably both get a lot out of a free consultation to delve into this in more detail. (One for each of you.) When you have some time, please feel free to set those up. Link in my signature. (You don't have to wait for me. Just pick the time/date combo that works for each of you.)

Krista

Hi, and thanks for writing! Looks like you have good academics and progressive work experience. Regarding the GMAT, given the competitiveness of the application process (especially since you come from a heavily represented applicant pool) if you feel you can achieve a 750 without too much more studying, I'd say go for it! If you don't hit this score, a 730 is fine - at this point, your chances are going to be a lot more dependent on how well you execute your applications, convey your impact both within and outside of work in your resume and essays, and make a strong case for why each program is a good fit for you. As the expression goes: "A high GMAT does not guarantee getting in, but a low GMAT [which you don't have] can keep you out."

If you'd like to discuss your profile in more detail, I highly recommend signing up for a free 30-minute consultation with me here: https://www.mbamission.com/consult/?display=mba-admissions

"Londonconsultant2018" Hi -

Two questions from me: - Is it worth retaking the GMAT and trying to get closer to 750? - If I didn't retake and went with my score below (730), what are my chances?

Profile: - 26 year old male - White - Top 10% of the class at a Top 5 international university (LSE for Political Science)

Professional Experience: - 3.5 years at Big 4 consulting. First on the grad scheme (as a Level 1), and then in the strategy team as a Level 2 - 1 year at a small (in headcount) European strategy boutique as a Level 3 Focussed on transport / mobility strategy (cars, trains etc.) Good experience with office leadership (mentoring, internal roles, interviewing candidates etc.)

GMAT: - 730 overall - 49 Q - 40 V - 6 IR - 6 AWA

Post MBA objectives: - Move into infrastructure / transport finance in the short term (in NY or Chicago) - Start my own advisory firm in the medium / long term. Focussed on the same areas as above

Target schools: - Reach: H / S / W - Core: Booth, MIT, CBS, LBS, Kellogg

Hope this is clear.

Any hints or tips would be great.

Thanks!

Hi Dedline!

Your work experience sounds really strong, with fast advancement and a specialization in Healthcare IT. One challenge coming from that background is to prove that you have all the other well-rounded/softer skills to be successful both in b-school and beyond. So be cautious of that. Your GPA is solid and your GMAT is too -- though I'm a little worried about your Quant score. I assume you have good grades in Quant courses on your transcript? If not, I would advise taking 1 or 2 pre-MBA Quant courses, or possibly retaking GMAT to try to raise that. Usually b-schools look most heavily at your Overall score and your Quant score. Sounds like you've kept up a lot of activities outside of work too, and have a strong work ethic and character -- make sure those qualities come through in your essays, and any other personal experiences that have defined you and your goals. HBS / Stanford are incredibly tough - I'm not ruling them out for you, but those will be your big reaches. Booth is more reasonable, though still competitive. I think it'd be smart to add a non M7 school into the mix as a backup. Feel free to reach out with any follow up questions! Kate

"Dedline" 27 Y/O White Male

1) Work Experience: 4 years as a Solutions Architect for a blue chip technology company (e.g. MSFT, IBM), promoted twice. 1 year as a Technology Director for a Fortune 10. 7+ years experience Healthcare IT in total.

2) GMAT: 740 - Verbal 47, Quant 44

3) College info: Top 20 Undergrad Business School with majors in Management Information Systems & Operations Management, 3.4 GPA.

4) Significant activities: I've held a part-time job since 15 years old, volunteered for non-profit consulting organization helping individuals form 501C3's for a year, led 2-hour weekly lectures as a Teacher's Assistant for a technical 100 level class for a year, various roles held in social fraternity, Big Brothers Big Sisters.

5) Certifications: Open Group's Master Certified IT Architect, 3 heavyweight technical certifications (e.g. CCNA), 5 patents.

6) Your post-MBA goal: Healthcare Venture Capital

Targets: M7 (with preference for HBS, Stanford and Booth)

Hi Chiraq, thanks for sharing your profile here. I am not going to lie, things are tough in your demographic bucket (white males from banking). So your 710 worries me a little especially for Kellogg and Booth. I have had past clients with 710s get into those schools, so it's not impossible, but you need to execute stellar applications, network extensively with the schools, and really prove that you have something exciting to bring to the class. Your undergrad background is strong, and that will help you, but if retaking the GMAT is possible, I would advise it.

Otherwise I think your work experience is strong, with promotion that will look good, and I especially like that you were part of founding a new organization. I bet you will have strong recommendations that can speak to your firm leadership and potential for advancement.

One other thought - since you are not planning a major career shift post-MBA, is going part-time an option? That would take a little pressure off the GMAT. But I know the program format is very different, so don't want to push you that way if it's not ideal for you.

Hope this helps, and happy to chat further if you like! Kate

"Chiraq" Hello, looking into applying to full time MBA programs

26 / White Male

1) Work Experience: 1 year consulting. 2 years as an Investment Banking Analyst with recent promotion to Associate.

2) GMAT: 710

3) College info: Top 15 Undergrad Business School with major in Finance, 3.4 GPA.

4) Founding board member of organization for young professionals at current company geared towards community involvement/networking. Was allocated $15k by corporate for this fiscal year to further efforts. Also ancillary member of local non profit board.

5) Certifications: Series 63, Series 52

6) Your post-MBA goal: IB Vice President or VC Associate

Targets: M7 (Kellog/Booth only) and Ross

Looking for feedback on chances of getting into my aforementioned target schools. Thank you!

Hello Idaho54!

To answer your most pressing question, I would not cancel your score. A 760 is an excellent score! And there is a small chance that you never exceed that 760, and I would hate for you to lose it (I know you can reinstate it later but that costs even more than canceling). Plus schools always consider your highest score, so even if you submit a 760 and a 780, they will only use the 780.

You are right that you are in a competitive bucket, and you are targeting the three most competitive schools, so on the question of whether to retake, yes I would definitely give it another shot. I bet you can reach a 770 or even 780 now that you're used to the test.

But if you don't, I wouldn't sweat it, as like I said, your 760 puts you in a great place, and you also have a great GPA.

Does that make sense? I hope so, but reach out if you still have questions! Oh, and here is a good blog post for you to read: https://www.mbamission.com/blog/2017/08/24/to-keep-or-cancel-your-gmat-…

Kate

"Idaho54" Hi, thank you for doing this.

White American undergrad student who just sat for the GMAT for the first time and scored a 760 (49q and 46v), after scoring 780 on last 2 practice tests. Will likely be applying from the IB > mid-large PE bucket, which I know is extremely competitive, and am really only targeting HBS/GSB/Wharton.

Given the new score cancellation policy (can cancel within 3 days after seeing score, and no schools see it), do you think there is any value in retaking the GMAT? I don’t really mind sitting for the test again, and my practice test scores (particularly quant, got q50 and q51 on last 2 tests) suggest to me I could score a 780 with one or two more sittings. I’ve heard that for my profile (white, male, private equity) the average gmat score is actually more like 760-770...so is there logic to retaking? I understand that once this score gets reported, it’ll look sort of silly to retake, so want to make the call now.

For reference, 3.9+ gpa from top 20 school, but besides gmat/gpa/brand name work experience, don’t have anything else that really stands out. The IB job is with a Morgan Stanley/Goldman Sachs type place.

Really appreciate it in advance.

Hey @thexfactor336 Thanks for posting. Lots of different thoughts for you. Firstly, level of experience. The average years of WE pre-MBA is 4 to 5 so when you say you have 3 years now and plan to get 3 to 4 more years, perhaps consider scaling that back. It's not to say you won't be successful applying with 7 years of WE, but it does make things a bit trickier, IMHO. For the GPA, I definitely recommend you try to be proactive here, especially given that you have the luxury of time. HBX Core would be great. 3.0 puts you outside the 80th percentile GPA range for most top programs, which is a tough place to be. So in addition to HBX Core, just make sure that when you do apply, you address the GPA directly and also rely on at least one of your recommenders to highlight how they heard about your 3.0 and were surprised because you're so awesome, here are some specific examples of awesomeness, etc. etc. 740 is a great number but there will be a little more pressure on your GMAT because of the GPA. Given that we are still talking about the future and you have time, I'd recommend trying again. Most of our clients try the GMAT a few times. Not a huge advantage in being an undergrad alum but certainly over the next few years, kick up your involvement so they think to themselves, "Wow, this guy really cares about us and will make a great MBA alumni too." Won't be what gets you in but will help. Lastly, school selection. I've seen 740/3,0 combo be successful at Ross. Haas and Yale are going to be the toughest. (Small programs with low admit rates...fierce competition.) The rest are decent targets but everything can change in two years so check back again then! So...lots to think about and lots of homework, but I really like that you are planning ahead -- that will serve you well in this process. All the best, Krista

Hi riverbaldwin, Thanks for posting. Yes, GMAT is valid for 5 years, so 12/18. When did you complete your Masters? I assume two years after undergrad based on what you described related to the service after undergrad? And then the 2.5-3 years experience is since the Masters? I do think you'd be in an even stronger position with another year of experience but still think you could be a viable candidate this fall if that is your preference... it will be important that you define why you need the MBA given that you have the Masters in Finance (yes people do sometimes complete both, but again just important to show how important the MBA is to your next career plans... which you haven't mentioned here, so also be sure you have developed ambitious but realistic post-MBA career goals to define in your applications, side note).

Duke will be the toughest on your list, as you can likely imagine, so applying Early Action if feasible would be recommended to help a bit. The others on your list are potentially in range if you have good leadership examples in your life since undergrad, and depending upon how other pieces of your application (recommendations, essays, interviews etc) make an impact and show how you'll contribute to the programs, and why each is the right fit for you. If you are interested, feel free to sign up for a free 30 minute consultation with us and we could include a resume review and have an even better feel for your competitiveness.

Regarding scholarships, they are generally reserved for exceptional candidates that exceed expectations and typical profile averages etc, so it's tough to say at this point how likely that would be for you. Given the level of competition among applicants similar to you, it may not be very likely, but as you go down the list in terms of average GMAT/acceptance rates etc, that possibility does increase, so perhaps Vanderbilt or UNC would be more likely for example. Most MBA candidates I speak with finance their degree with low-interest rate educational loans, paid back over 5-15 years with their post-MBA salaries, and still feel it was worth the investment, fyi; food for thought.

Good luck in the process and let us know if we can help further!

"riverbaldwin" Hi all, thanks for doing this. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Profile - 27 year old male (28 at matriculation) - White - 730 GMAT (taken 12/2013 so believe it’s still eligible as long as I apply prior to 12/2018?)

Academic background - UG: 3.6 GPA in business administration from very small liberal arts school in the MW - Master’s in finance from top school (however a 3.0 GPA)

Professional experience - 2.5 years at top MM IB - 0.5 year (as of now) doing corp dev for F50 company

Extra-curricular involvement - 10 month voluntary service program between undergrad and master’s - Currently not a lot of involvement other than various church projects - Stay active with social sports leagues, gym, running, etc

Post MBA objectives - Interested in tech/entrepreneurship

Target schools - UT McCombs, Vanderbilt, Duke, Darden, UNC, Emory

Curious about chances of admission but also the potential for scholarships at any of those schools. Thank you very much for your help!

Hi dontbugme,

Must have been interesting to grow up in Alaska! I think the way that background will benefit you most is by you drawing upon that upbringing to show in your essays and stories/interviews, how that experience shaped who you are today, and what you've seen and experienced that might help you better contribute to the class, if applicable. Then I think it can help you be memorable and gain the interest of the admissions readers, potentially.

In terms of purely a 'check-the-box' for a less represented state, I'd say it has a SMALL chance of making a tiny difference, but not as much potential to make a difference as actually digging in to those stories and sharing those experiences would if feasible within your apps.

And at the end of the day... you want to do your best on the apps and essays no matter what, right, so don't over-analyze TOO much, just go for it and give it your best, once you finalize your school choices. Let us know if we can help further on school selection or other parts of the process!

"dontbugme" Thank you for doing this! I am planning to apply next year (matriculation in 2020) and had one tangent question! Does geography diversity come into play as it does for college i.e. if I grew up in Alaska or a similarly underrepresented state, will that play a factor?

I ask because I would not consider my background particularly stellar but I would consider it impressive considering where I grew up, opportunities present etc. and it certainly helped me get to a great school and was curious if a similar understanding would come into play for bschool.

Thanks!

Hey MBASometimeK,

Yes, I can see why that is a dilemma on timing. I do think your military experience helps to mitigate the age/experience factor, and b-schools look very favorably on military applicants. But I think waiting another year is probably the right call. The average age for most schools is 27/28, so there's no rush. Plus, waiting gives you time to boost your GPA, gain some more traditional full-time work experience, proving you can be successful in the "business world" and it will also give you plenty of time to get a great GMAT score (it sounds like you're at a good starting point already). So I lean towards to waiting a bit to strengthen those areas and then going for the top schools. And you could always still apply to Johnson/Ross/Tepper then as a backup, hopefully ensuring you get in somewhere. But if you're feeling really antsy to get moving with the MBA, then I think you still have lots of strengths and can spin your military + internship experience to carry enough weight for those safer schools now.

If it would help to chat more about your timing/options, feel free to sign up for a phone consult with us at: https://www.mbamission.com/consult/

Otherwise, keep us posted on what you decide! Kate

"MBASometimeK" Hey WSO, Looking for a bit of advice with pursuing an MBA program. Here is a general overview: - Age: 23 - White Male - Work experience: 4 years active duty in the USN, nuclear field. Training for the program is designed by MIT. M&A internship this summer, however the firm I'm working for specializes in institutional investing for micro/mini cap stocks. Selected as a Supplemental Instructor for the math department this upcoming fall.

• Undergrad - T200 No name school, 3.63 GPA, graduating May 2019. Mathematics major. This is my primary concern with my application. The training required from the nuclear field is evaluated to be 92 credits. (This would be higher if it was not for classification/ needs of the navy based training) Of these, 68 transferred over to my major. I came in as a junior year transfer student. As of right now I only have two semesters of curriculum, and I believe that would be a negative influence on my application.

• Other education/certs - FL Real Estate sales associate, X series certificate in Data analysis from EDX. Experience w/ C++/Java/VBA

• GMAT - 630 cold , 690 after a week of prep (Both practice) . I'd expect something along the lines of a 700-760 when I take the exam in August.

• Undergrad GPA (3.65)

• MBA Goals - Short term: acquiring industry experience would be my top priority. An MBA would provide me with the insight and disposition necessary to excel in today's job sector. Long term: a career in consulting focusing on VBM would suit me. (I know this sounds vapid, I'm still formulating a more specific career mindset)

• Target schools - Johnson, Ross, Tepper

• Now I wanted to address the dilemma I have with my current situation. Because of my atypical background, my work experience that pertains to my career aspirations is limited. I'm also a fairly young applicant, and my hope is that the military will mitigate that. I have legacy for Wharton (My sister, who also has connections with Coase) but my application doesn't appear to be at the proper caliber for a M7 School.

My second plan is to get more work experience (A year or two) and then proceed with my applications. This would allow me to have:

4 Semesters of curriculum, hopefully, a 3.8 GPA (I had a bit of a disagreement with a professor, which lowered my current grade) and more work experience. My target schools would then be - CBS, Wharton, and Sloan. Of course, this holds back my career goals for a few years, and not getting in would only make this predicament worse. What do you think?

Thank you for your post, C to the K. You have a great profile and I would be happy to evaluate. Admissions committees will look at your profile holistically, analyzing your stats, work experience, and extracurriculars.

Regarding your stats, your GRE score will help determine where you stand, so focus on that for now. If you do not score where you want, then HBX Core is a good option to show MBA programs that you have the academic ability to succeed. In addition to offsetting a lower than desired GRE score, HBX Core could also help you offset your low grades, so even if you score well on the GRE, HBX Core may still be a smart decision. Just know that it is an intensive program (and for some people it is expensive too). I like your work experience because it shows leadership and promotions. Without seeing more details, it is hard to evaluate further. However, make sure to showcase your leadership experiences in your application, which will hopefully provide compelling anecdotes and stories. Regarding your extracurriculars, the fact that you started an NGO to fund refugees education sounds fantastic, and is definitely something that will pique the interest of schools.

You have a great background, but keep in mind how competitive the M7 programs are; they often turn away exceptional candidates because there may not be room in the program. Even with an exceptional GRE score and impressive work experience, there are no guarantees, so really consider adding a few other safer programs to your potential list. If you would like to chat further and in greater detail, feel free to set up a free 30 minute consultation on our mbaMission website.

Good luck to you!

Hi Mcmuffin77, Thanks for your note, glad you've found the threads helpful! So the info you've shared is a good foundation but still fairly limited details here (i.e. I don't feel I know whether you have a lot of leadership examples, teamwork examples, have gone above and beyond at work etc, or more just about you as a person)... BUT with what I do know and your GMAT/GPA, rough feel for your background, I'd say top 10 schools (give or take) are likely a stretch, but outside of that may be fair game if you put together strong applications and have good recommendations, interview well, etc; with of course chances increasing roughly as you go down the rankings (referring to US News rankings as a rough listing). The more you are able to showcase what makes you able to contribute a valuable perspective to the class, the better your chances may be at those roughly 10-25 or so ranked programs. If you'd like to chat more feel free to sign up for a free 30 minute consultation, which includes us looking at your resume, on our website at any point and we can likely go deeper on the discussion and feedback. There are a lot of factors to consider when selecting schools for sure!! Good luck to you no matter what.

"Mcmuffin77" Hi! Thank you for having this thread as it has helped me get a better idea of what I should be doing as I prepare to apply. Is it possible for you to tell me what sorts of schools I should be targeting with the below profile? - 25 year old male - White - 710 GMAT

Academic background - UG: 3.45 GPA in economics from small liberal arts school in the NE

Professional experience - 2 years at top BB rotational Finance program - 1 additional year in an IBD business management role

Extra-curricular involvement - 1 year helping low income families prepare their income taxes

Post MBA objectives - Looking into enter top IBD or consulting firm

Hi FutureMBAGuy! Glad you've found the thread helpful. First, good for you for thinking so far ahead! You are right that extracurriculars can be a great way to give yourself an edge, especially if you're applying from highly represented groups like consulting. Admissions has no preference or requirements for what those extracurriculars look like (and I think either option you mentioned would work well) but there are some things that would be ideal in my view....1) activities where you can take a lead role (e.g., recruiting/training other mentors, planning an event, etc.) 2) activities that relate to your long-term career goal (e.g., advising startups someone wants to be an entrepreneur one day). 3) activities that relate well to your personal motivations or background (e.g., improving college access opportunities if someone was a first generation college grad).

As far as the "hook" that you asked about, you don't need to just have one thing that you bank your applications on. MBA admissions are very holistic and they look for well-rounded applicants who are successful and driven in all areas of their life. That said, the top schools are looking for interesting people and stories that will build a diverse class. In your example about the oboe playing, the applicant would ideally need to keep that up in their current life for it to be pretty relevant to MBA applications (e.g., teaching others, playing for fun, etc.) It is ultimately about demonstrating you are passionate about something, so this would not need to tie in to your career goals.

Gaining some international experience might be something else you could work on (if you don't have much already). Also exposure to high profile projects, c-suite leaders, etc. at work. Those are the immediate areas that come to mind, but it depends on the applicant too. You might want to check out our long-term planning guide (https://shop.mbamission.com/products/mbamission-long-term-planning-guide) as you continue to think ahead.

Good luck! Kate

Hi tinknightrisesagain,

The strong GRE score definitely helps to mitigate the lower GPA (nice to have the more recent one be higher!). It might be worth using the Optional Essay to briefly explain your GPA / any inconsistencies in your transcript. Especially if your GPA did drop significantly in the final quarter (I can only imagine the impact that event on the campus).

Otherwise, I like the progression and seemingly fast promotions at work. Community involvement is strong too!

You'll definitely want to narrow in on a more specific post-MBA career path, both short term and long term. Consulting is a popular route, as is Product Management, which would fit well with your engineering background and cross-functional experience.

The GPA seems to be the only issue, so I think schools in the 10-15 range probably are your sweet spot (thinking schools like Ross, UCLA, Duke, etc.). You could aim for 1 or 2 higher schools (e.g., Haas, Kellogg, etc.) depending on your interests/career goals.

Hope this helps, and reach out if you have further questions for us! Kate

"tinknightrisesagain" -GMAT: 730 (based on GRE scores)

-GPA: 3.25 / 4.0. I switched from an English major my freshman year because I wanted the challenge. Probably not compelling enough reason to explain my GPA. The shooting was also my last quarter, where I didn't do so great, but I feel weird talking about it in an essay. I lived feet away from where the guy eventually crashed and killed himself, which has definitely had a tremendous impact on my life.

-University: University of California, Santa Barbara

-Degree: Computer Science, BA

-Extracurriculars: I was the head of budgeting and accounting for my town's March for Science. I've also done lowest level political outreach (phone calls, etc) for presidential and governor elections, minority software engineering outreach, and I recently got into birdwatching, and have been volunteering with my local Audubon society.

-Demographics: 27 or 28, White male

-Work Experience: 4 years software engineer, 3 promotions. I will probably move to a new company, which will put me at the "senior" title. Company is a well known and "hot" B2B company

-Post-MBA goals: Still undecided. I love working with other aspects of the business aside from engineering (sales, marketing, strategy), so I think it'd be cool to go do MC for a while and then do corporate strategy). On the other hand, I think I'd be pretty good for engineering management, and school prestige (not the MBA so much), might help me out.

I really don't know how competitive I am, or what schools I should be looking at. Looking at the other forum's admission trackers from last year, it looks like I'm straddling T15, which probably would not be compelling enough for me to go full-time.

Hi and thanks for your post.

The average number of years of work experience at a top US business school is 5, so while that is still a while away, you can be proactive with building a competitive profile for top schools. As far as grades, see if you can significantly improve your GPA over your last year. It is viewed positively when someone improves their grades over the course of their 4 years, and you can use the optional essay in an application to clarify why your grades were not as good early on. Even so, there are ways in your application to mitigate a low GPA. The biggest one is to score very well on the GMAT, and a 730 would do just that. You could also take supplemental courses after college in stats, calculus, or economics, and assuming you get an A, that will also show schools that you have the academic capacity to succeed.

In addition, your work experience and your recommendation letters can showcase your analytical ability. The fact that you will have completed CFA levels also shows this. Thus, there are ways to make up for a low GPA. The application process is truly holistic.

One final suggestion - it is not too early to take on a leadership role in an extracurricular activity. It will really separate you if you have years of experience making an impact on a charity, as schools will feel that you will be likely to make a similar impact in their community.

Good luck!

Hi there - yes, I do recommend using the optional essay to address the lower quant score and point out your quant proficiency in other areas (CFA, analytical work experience, college courses). Best of luck!

"Mzhavil" Hi,

I am submitting my applications in September and wanted to hear some thoughts on whether or not I should use the optional essay. Originally from Eastern Europe, graduated from Brandeis with 3.43 double majoring in Business and Economics. Applying to top schools in US with 710 GMAT (Q45 V41), and feel that quantitative is on a lower end for such schools. Unfortunately I do not have any time left to correct that. I do however passed Level 1 and 2 of CFA, and was wondering whether I should use this information in an optional Essay. I know that reading an optional essay is extra time spent by admissions committee, so I was wondering if in 100 words or less I should address that despite my low quant, I can handle the rigorous curriculum because I managed to study and pass heavily quantitative subjects as part of my CFA exams?

Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you in advance.

Hi daniel1402, thanks for reaching out. Yes, personal stories do matter a lot, so make sure you're making best use of the essays to connect with the admissions reader and how how your life circumstances have made you who you are and will influence your contributions going forward.

Overall I think you've got a really strong profile. Excellent GMAT, good GPA at a rigorous school, progression in your career, strategy work, management experience, and some really impressive extra-curricular activities!

Re. goals, I'm curious why the stint in banking, and not trying to move directly into the Ed-tech field post-MBA? Maybe not to launch your own venture right away, but to gain experience at a more established Ed-tech company (though it's possible you've researched and those companies don't really hire MBAs). Plus I realize the banking role gives you a better in to PE. Just make sure you've thought that through.

Columbia / Sloan could be tougher, just given their acceptance rates, but I still think you've got a shot and I think you'll be competitive at Booth (especially with ties to undergrad) and definitely at UCLA / Stern.

Hope this helps! Kate

Hi there, and thanks for writing! Given your GPA, you'd need a very high GMAT to help offset it (740+) and even then, I think that the very top US schools would be a reach. You do have a good work history and intriguing entrepreneurial experience (and yes, successfully starting the eCommerce business would add a meaningful achievement to your application), but you would need to be very clear in your applications about what skills/experiences you need from an MBA (aside from the credibility with investors, etc.) and why the degree is critical for you. Hope that helps a bit!

"info_25" Thanks in advance! I'm thinking about applying to Business School in 2019 for Fall 2020 enrollment and I could really use some advice on whether or not I have a chance at getting in to the top programs (Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, etc).

Undergrad:

• UCLA

• B.S. in Neuroscience 2016

• Overall GPA is 2.88

Work Experience

• Data Coordinator- Led a team of 50 remote researchers all across the US and in India to fill out data reports. Analyzed and manipulated the data in excel. Significantly contributed to new product strategy future company development. Ran our data input and upkeep for a subscriber base of 1000+.

• Insight and Analysis Manager – Insights on survey data and reporting on renewal and various other data requests. Working on using R and SQL to run analysis on customer behavior pathways and social media content trends.

GMAT

Not yet taken. Any advice on the score I would need to get into a top program?

Entrepreneur Experience:

While my peers were aiming for Med School and PHD programs, I wanted to go into business and eventually be on the forefront of Neurotechnology. Rather than focus on my GPA I founded and ran entrepreneurial ventures with peers, created different websites and worked on business plans for future companies. Official positions are as follows.

• Co-Founder and CTO of a festival promotion company. Formed with peers to put on a local music festival. Created the website, ran blog integration, helped form and run the Indiegogo fundraising campaign, and contributed to overall marketing strategy.

• Director of Research for a student run online medical publication. I started off as an editor in the publication. Saw a need to report on cutting edge research happening on campus. Founded my own segment of the publication and ran a team of 10-20 student researchers producing 20+ articles on UCLA research.

Additional

• I am ultimately looking to go one of two routes, or possibly both. One is going into business analytics and leading a team of analysts in a large company to provide valuable insights for business decisions. The other is becoming an entrepreneur, and either working with engineers and scientists in the Neuroscience sphere with existing patents on getting a company started, leveraging my analytics background to start a company in that sphere, or develop a different entrepreneurial venture. Ideally, I would be looking for an MBA to legitimize my business skills in the eyes of potential patent holders and investors so I would be able to create legitimate startups in the science and technology field.

I'm also currently working on starting an eCommerce business. Based on my business plan projections I may be able to get it initially funded and start taking in revenue before I apply for business school. If I am able to get that started would that increase my chances?

I know applying to business school will take a significant amount of time, so any insight one has on my chances would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi Carlo-Mereu, Thanks for reaching out! I think if you can raise your GMAT just a bit, then you've got a good profile to target the schools you mentioned. Would be great to see you cross the 700 mark, and your quant score is high enough, so it sounds like verbal is the place where you can make some gains. It can be hard to compare GPAs across applicants, but it sounds like your marks are high and admissions will review the full details of your transcript (noting how challenging the courses you took were too) and not decide just based on the university's caliber. The internships you've had sound great too. Make sure you've got a well-thought out and researched personal statement, explaining how the degree fits in to your plans and what area of finance you are interested in pursuing and why. Best of luck! Kate

"Carlo-Mereu" Hi there! I just wanted to ask you about my chances of getting into a top Msc Finance in Europe: Gmat 680 (49Q) Gpa: I am from Italy, we have average weighted (mine is about 29.3/30, so the predicted degree mark is 110 cum laude/110 (the maximum grade achievable in Italy) from a not renowned university (university of Sassari). Ielts: 7.5 overall (8 listening 8.5 reading) Work experience: summer internship at findomestic. Autumn internship in a local accounting agency. Btw I am 21 and I would like to apply to a good Msc Finance in Europe (sth like Bocconi Msc Finance/Lse Finance & Economics/Warwick Msc Finance/ imperial Msc finance/ Lbs MIM ) Do you have any recommendations? Do you think my profile is good enough? (I know, I screwed the verbal part of the gmat, therefore I am planning to take it again, aiming for roughly 700/710) Thank you in advance!!

Hi and thanks for your post!

I agree with your final thought- that you should focus more on the GMAT and EC's, as opposed to a graduate certificate program at this time.

Those top MBA programs want to make sure you have the academic capacity to succeed in the classroom. Do not feel that your undergrad's lack of pedigree will necessarily hamper your application. Your GPA is strong, so if you can do very well on the GMAT - around the average of your target school's GMAT score - then the admissions committees will feel confident you can succeed in the classroom. And thus you will not need to further demonstrate your academic ability by enrolling in a graduate certificate program, or for example, taking a supplemental course or two.

Of course, your GMAT/GPA is just one part of the application. You are right to focus on your extracurriculars as well. Hopefully you will have made an impact and taken on a leadership role in at least one current extracurricular activity. And finally, your work experience is crucial as well. I agree to apply with 3+ years of experience. Hopefully by then you will have significant accomplishments to discuss in your application, and have been a leader at work as well.

I do want to mention that if you want to enroll in a certificate program in real estate, that will certainly not hurt your profile, especially if your post MBA goal is real estate. But you should enroll because you want to, not just to try to impress a school. So definitely concentrate on your GMAT, EC's and work experience, and you will have created a strong profile for yourself. Good luck!

Hi LeveredLlama,

I think top programs like Haas especially and also UCLA and NYU will be tough with the low GPA - unless you rock the GMAT! By the way, I think you should really aim for a 700+ score if you want to be in that ballpark. UNC/USC/Cornell seem more reasonable, but again, you ideally want to be very close to or above their GMAT average, so targeting 700 is a good idea. To play it safe, I would have a backup or two outside the top 25, which could include a part-time program (if that is an option for you). Since you only have 1 year work experience, you have plenty of time to work on the GMAT; most apply when they have 3-4 years experience. I also recommend taking some supplemental/pre-MBA coursework to address the low marks on your transcript. You can also write an optional essay when it comes time to point out the upward trend in your GPA. Good luck! (And apologies for the delay in responding to your post).

"LeveredLlama" Work Experience: 1 years real estate development & real estate investment fund in east cost commercial real estate company (i.e., deal team executed $250MM in transactions and $50MM in alternative asset--i.e., cannabis, natural resources, etc.)

UG: 2.94 GPA. Big ten school '18, econ degree, some leadership nothing special (suffered from mental health issues most of college-freshman year was poor as a result) in sophomore year and onwards, i maintained a >3.2 GPA

GMAT: have to study hard but am hoping for 650+

Post MBA plans: Not entirely sure (still figuring that out) but most likely would like to be part of a really smart, fast deal team at a real estate private equity fund

Would like to get an MBA with a concentration in Real Estate directed more towards the finance/investment side as opposed to the development side.

Obviously understand my background is weak but would I have chances at schools like UCLA, Haas, NYU, UNC, USC, Cornell? Or do I need to consider broadening scope to schools outside of top 25

Hi 2tall2ball:

Good for you for planning ahead and thinking about your business school future options!

So first priority I do recommend planning for the GMAT or GRE in the coming handful of months if possible, potentially over the summer maybe? Statistically test-takers score higher when still in college or very soon after, vs years later, so take advantage of that (plus if you want to apply to deferred options anyway you'll need it). I suggest preparing for 2-3 months, based on my years in the test prep world (teaching, tutoring, running Kaplan's GMAT/GRE curriculum), and I recommend either Kaplan or Manhattan prep for courses and materials. Aim to take 6-10 practice tests during your preparation, and review explanations for each. If needed you can take the test more than once; schools take the highest score.

Continue to work hard academically, and consider whether there are any other leadership roles and/or community roles you can add to your plate. Finally yes an offer in hand particularly BB would be a plus in your application. The deferred programs are extremely competitive, but on the up side if it doesn't work out you can work several years and apply again without losing out on any time in your plan etc.

Good luck on the process and keep in touch! Feel free to drop in for a free consultation at some point as you get closer.

"2tall2ball" I've recently started considering bschool and would love some advice as I have a decent amount of time to plan for it going into the second semester of my junior year.

Academics

• UG: GPA 4.0, English/economics double major at top 50 liberal arts school

• haven't taken GMAT/GRE, would love prep recommendations!

Work

• SA position with BB for PWM in 2019

• MM hedge fund internship summer 2018

• Grounds work/maintenance at sports facility summer 2017 (had to make $$ to pay for school)

EC's

• Varsity athlete (D3)

• Leader of my school's tour guide program in office of admission (paid internship)

• Exec board of school's student-run investment club

Plan is to get a full time offer end of the summer, then was considering applying to M7's with a deferred enrollment option and seeing what happens (H/S/Booth). Assuming a GMAT/GRE score that matches up with my GPA, how much will a ft offer from BB help me out coming from a non-target?

Hi Stmirrenoff- So when you say top 20, those at the bottom of that list MAY not be entirely out of the question with the 640 but it does sound like a hurdle for you. Many deadlines are already passing/have passed so perhaps you've already decided either way, but sounds like with you scoring 700+ on practice tests, that you are capable of that! If you absolutely cannot fit in a retake before deadlines you either need to wait to R3 or apply R2 and still re-sit the test asap and update schools with it in the hopes that it helps even if late. No guarantees but sometimes that can still help. Depends some on how ready you are to submit. Good luck, feel free to reach out to speak more if ever needed/desired as part of our free consultations.

"Stmirrenoff" Hi Jen,

Thanks for doing this. I just wanted to ask your honest opinion, be as brutal as you like- I can take it!

I recently sat the GMAT after being sick over the holidays and scored a 640.

I am aiming for T20 mainly. I have scored 700+ in the majority of practice exams so I know I can do much better but I really want to start the MBA this year and I need to apply in R2 being an international student.

I have my apps and essays already written, I was wondering if you honestly thought there would be any point applying with this GMAT. My other stats are below.

28 year old male. British citizen London Work for top tier IB in Data Analytics/Tech Business Analyst Experience of working abroad in China. I speak intermediate Chinese Reasonable extra circulars Looking to go into tech post MBA.

Thanks a lot!

I certainly understand that everyone has different budgets and financial situations, and people can only draw upon the resources at hand. So for many there is no real choice in the matter.

That said for those who do have a choice, an experienced MBA admissions consultant knows the process inside and out and is familiar with what types of essays and applications are successful; plus many such as those at mbaMission are published authors and experienced editors that help you shape your written work to make the strongest possible impression. We are also experienced at effective brainstorming with clients to help them identify and showcase the strongest and most relevant and interesting aspects of their profile.

We also make it a priority to help you illustrate a strong connection between your past professional and personal experiences, and the need for an MBA to help you reach your future career goals, and that you demonstrate a strong fit with each particular school that you apply to, which can be critical in the current competitive MBA admissions environment.

Can alum help? Sure. Can they provide great insight into the schools you are applying to? Yes-- and we recommend you have conversations with 2-5 students/alum at each target school to gain recent, relevant insight that is useful in the application process! Will they be 'as effective' as an experienced admissions consultant.... not likely unless they also have experience in admissions or providing that consulting experience to build up the breadth of knowledge and exposure to essays that work and essays that don't etc that comes with working in this field.

"MyMBACircle.com" MBA consultants are expensive - a lot of people in emerging countries do not have access to such capital to give them an edge in the admission process. Do you think second year students and alumni from b-schools can provide MBA admission guidance and consulting as effectively?