Assist Me in Choosing a Full-Time MBA Program
I am requesting a review of the schools that I want to apply. My research has been primarily based off of rankings which is why I need help - the rankings aren't everything, and I am struggling to find data on how "good" the networks of schools are.
About Me
I have a 2.9 GPA for my B.S. in psychology and two years of post-undergrad work experience, and I have not taken the GMAT yet. My target score range is 680 to 720. I would like to apply for my target schools in round 1. However, it may not be possible to do that for McCombs or Foster because I will need at least two to three more weeks of study to achieve my target gmat score. Right now, I am consulting for an internet marketing company from Thailand and will take my GMAT in Chiang Mai.
Goal
Get a business strategy/finance job in the video game industry - California, New York, or Seattle areas.
Requirements of the School
Near a school that has a baking and pastry program for the wife, interesting electives (finance and classes that build quantitative skills), in locations that I like (California, Texas, Seattle, Boston, New York)
My Target Schools + Main Reason(s)
University of California--Los Angeles (Anderson): Finance program, located in LA
University of Texas--Austin (McCombs): Interesting electives, in home state (can get in-state tuition)
University of Southern California (Marshall): Interesting electives, PRIME
University of Washington (Foster): Seattle
Boston University: One-year international MBA program
University of Texas--Dallas: Cheap (can get in-state tuition)
Other Schools that I Reviewed but Ruled Out (most likely not going to be accepted, no nearby cooking program)
Boston College (Carroll)
Columbia University
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)
New York University (Stern)
Rice University (Jones)
Texas A&M University--College Station (Mays)
University of California--Irvine (Merage)
TLDR
My biggest hang-ups are: is UTD a better safety than UCI (video game industry in Cali)? Do I have too many "reach schools?" Have I ruled out a school that would be a better fit than any of my target schools? I apologize for the monster post. Thanks for any and all help.
If you could get in, low GPA and lack of work experience, I would definitely choose McCombs. It's a great school with diverse opportunities and more importantly in-state tuition. Because of your GPA and lack of experience, I think at the minimum you need a GPA of 720 and you need to kill the essays.
Baking and pastry sounds more fun.
@mikebrady, thanks for the feedback. I am going to make sure that I kill it then.
@Soros, yeah, wife is pretty excited about her future.
Any more feedback about whether I am looking at the right schools would be appreciated.
Dude you probably have a solid shot at Rice if you think you have one at UT-A. Plus, Houston is all about food.
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