Give It To Me Straight

I dont know much about business school admissions, but just generalizing, I don't think a 3.6 from anywhere is going to get you in to HBS unless you have some serious experience.

I've seen lots of people with your profile at places like Ross, Tepper (considering your URM status)

Huge longshot for HBS

URM

you are in anywhere you want.

i actually think that since youre a URM you have a good shot at m7 and def in at t15

Your quant score is very low, even if the composite is not a big deal breaker. Even as an URM, your Q score will be a huge red flag to adcoms because 35 is not simply moderately low like 43-45, but it actually suggests that you may have problems with simple algebra. I suggest that you retake it; otherwise your chances are really dicey. If consulting is one of your career choices, I don’t see it happening with that quant score, at least not for the top firms.

The other problem is that you don’t have full-time work experience. I’m not sure why you want to do an MBA now. Most employers will not even interview you given your lack of career history. I’ve seen very few people like you at my school and they all struggled to get jobs and eventually got something that is generally considered crap.

I think HBS 2+2 is close to zero. Yale is a huge GMAT whore so although you might have a better shot there, it will be hard. I don’t think Booth will take you with no experience. Ross is doable considering your URM status (for some reason they are big on diversity), but still not 100% sure as you have no work history. Don’t know about Tepper or McCombs – they seem more doable. I wouldn’t apply to Caroll as I don’t think it’s worth it, but that’s just me; however, it’s the most doable of all, as you might guess.

If you had some full-time work history, I’d say that you stand some chance, but when you put everything together, it does not look good.

In sum, if you want to do an MBA, get a higher quant score and at least 3 years of experience.

Your quant score is embarrassingly low. It indicates that you can't do basic math. If you weren't black, your app would be a total joke at the top 15 b-schools.

No shot at HBS 2+2. And the other M7 schools are not going to happen either without fulltime work experience. After you've worked for 2-3 years and raise your gmat quant, then you'll have a shot at the M7.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I had been doing better in quant on my practice tests (Manhattan, was averaging a 44-47 Q) so I'm not sure if I just had a bad day but I plan on retaking it next month.

I know work history kills me. To be honest I don't see myself having any good experience options post-grad given the job climate and humanities background. I know some people will grumble and say go grind it out and find something and maybe I'm paranoid but I don't think it looks promising.

I'm more focused on chances at Ross, Tepper, McCombs, Kenan-Flagler and that level. HBS, Yale and Booth were mainly "might as well send in an app" considerations.

oh i thought u were asking for the future -- yeah i didnt notice your quant was so crap either. ;\ lol you need the WE and a stronger quant.. even that low s low for a URM

.

^you'll never get into 2+2 though... you neeed a very high gpa and better scores for that, even if you're a URM

juxtak,

Most MBA programs (with the exception of a few) like to see at least 2 years of work experience. I recommend gaining work experience before directly applying (I'm referring to Ross, Tepper, etc. here).

Regarding the GMAT, if you feel you can improve your score I recommend taking the test again. The reason is because your score is self-reported on your business school application, so MBA admissions teams will only focus on your highest score.

Hope this was of help.

Cheers,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team