I've been doing MBA admissions consulting for 5 years, and worked in MBA Admissions at Cornell and UNC for 5 years. Happy to help answer questions about the MBA Admissions process, the strength of your candidacy, or anything else MBA Admissions-related!
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I work for Allstate as a product manager, have a 710 GMAT, undergrad GPA of 3.2 from UMass, and I'm looking to get into Darden or Cornell... what are my chances?
Hi Mike,
Great to hear from you! Certainly, there are a lot of factors that can drive your success getting into a top program like Cornell or UVA, and there's a lot more I'd like to learn about your professional experience and goals, but in general, with a score around or above a 700, you're in solid position for a top program. A 3.2 is slightly below the average GPA for these two programs, but it's certainly not a deal-breaker. "Project Manager" can mean a lot of different things at different companies, but I'm confident that the role includes plenty of ammunition / solid content on your skills and expertise that you can "make shine" in your applications. So overall, given this limited information, I think there's reason for optimism! How many years of work experience do you have? That's another important piece of data.
I'm happy to talk with you further, too! I lead the MBA Admissions consulting practice at Ready4 and I love chatting with prospective MBA candidates about their goals, chances of admission, etc.
Hey Ryan, thanks for the QnA! I'm curious about any nuances (or major differences) you noticed while working at Cornell vs. UNC (aside from basic selectivity differences) in their admissions processes. How did you find doing Admissions part-time on top of your regular job?
Any advice on what kinds of classes I can take part-time to show as a side GPA? I graduated with a 3.0 in math/econ with coursework in accounting, corpFin, adv. stats/econ etc. Can these classes be online through a top university or do they need to be some in person like night classes?
Hi! Great to "meet" you.
The admissions processes at Cornell and UNC are very similar. They go through basically the same process - review of application by an Admissions Offers (or second-year student), second opinion to finalize interview decision, interview on or off campus, and final decision by the Director of Admissions or the Admissions Committee in general (if there's "more debate" needed to make the final decision, like if a candidate is on the fence).
The application review process - in terms of what they look for - is also similar. Since both schools have historically struggled with maintaining a strong yield, they really both look for a really strong case from candidates for why they want to go to school there. UNC is kind of worried about being "the backup choice" for people applying to Duke (and thereby love the NC area). Cornell wants to make sure that candidates have done their due diligence and really understand what they're in for if they move to beautiful - but very remote - Ithaca, NY. So I guess that is one difference - both schools want candidates to articulate why their school is their top choice, and Cornell has that added "and give us confidence you really want to move to Ithaca" mindset.
With regards to extra coursework - online classes are absolutely okay. In fact, most of the candidates I've worked with (like 90%+) who take additional coursework to offset a lower-than-average GMAT score or GPA go the online route. MBA Math is a good option, as is HBx. Both are well-recognized by all the top MBA programs. My other (maybe obvious?) guidance, if you do take outside coursework, is to pursue a course with a heavy quantitative component, such as a statistics course. With a 3.0, I'd definitely look to take an extra course or to, and try to take it before the application deadlines so that you can show that you DID WELL in that course / those courses (won't help you, of course, to take a course but get a D!). You also want to make sure you address the 3.0 in your optional essays. If you need help with that strategy, let me know! I work with candidates on their applications all the time as an admissions consultant, and would be happy to chat further with you.
In the meantime, let me know if you have any additional questions!
Hey Ryan,
I have a two part question. First, what are my chances at getting into a MBA business schools">M7 MBA? 730 GMAT, ugad 3.6 GPA graduated with honors, played college tennis, one year Masters in management 3.7 GPA top 20% class, play tennis in several leagues, and currently working at $1B retail company as a financial analyst in FP&A with a fast promotion after 1 year (been there 2.5 yrs)
Second, I plan on applying next year, which I realize I may not be in the best position work experience wise, but I figured it could not hurt. However, am I at a disadvantage at these schools if I have to reapply to them should I not make it into one next year?
Thanks!
Hey there,
Sounds like you have an excellent profile! Certainly, your stats (GMAT, GPAs) are well within the range of what a MBA business schools">M7 MBA program would look for. Of course I'd love to know more about your work experience, but the fact that you work in a highly-quantitative field and earned a quick promotion (on top of the fact that you have a Masters degree) suggest to me that you have great opportunities to differentiate! With the right messaging / personal branding in your applications, I think you have plenty of reason for optimism. You just need to make sure you have a killer story and differentiation strategy.
I'm not sure why you're thinking you're "not in the best position work experience wise". If you have 2.5 years of quality work experience now (and your experience certainly sounds completely legit), you'll have 3 upon applying (if you apply R1 this upcoming year) and 4 upon matriculation (plus a year of graduate education). That's right in the sweet spot for MBA business schools">M7 programs. I'd actually argue that, if you're feeling ready for business school, now it the prime time for you to be applying. Hope that eases your concerns a bit.
Let me know if you'd like to talk further. You really do seem like a stellar candidate, and I work every year with a small number of top-quality candidates who are targeting top-tier programs (For example, I worked with 7 candidates who applied to HBS Round 1 this year - all were interviewed, 6 were accepted). MBA business schools">M7 schools are my sweet spot. I'm almost at capacity for this upcoming year, but still have a couple spots left.
Thank you for doing this. Some questions: 1. How do MBA programs view combo of low UG GPA and high masters degree GPA (masters degree is from "prestigious school" - think high alumni presence in investment banking and consulting)? 2. In case there are mitigating circumstances and evidence for that provided from UG institution, should candidate submit that when applying for MBA? 3. Does high GMAT (770+) result in high likelihood being offered significant scholarship when applying to programs with significantly lower GMAT average like USC, UT, UNC, Rice? 4. Does indicating that you want to work in highest paid industries (MBB and IB) help with admissions given that graduate earnings are criteria in USNEWS ranking? 5. What is the best way to signal to a school that it's your primary choice? Would the program be less likely to offer scholarship in that case? The reason why I'm asking is because UNC is my target school, because of its real estate program, but I really want to get scholarship as I can hardly stomach paying full price for MBA. 6. Do scholarship offers from other programs give you leverage for getting a scholarship at a program where you initially was offered
Hi Ryan - wanted to get your opinion on my situation. I graduated in 2010 with a 3.7 GPA and a degree in Human Resources. Since then I've worked in human resources and marketing in for profit company environments. I am really interested in going back to school for my MBA and going into Non-Profit or more service related industries. Am I too old to make that kind of switch?Are there any business schools that offer any kind of non-profit leadership focus?
Hi Ryan,
I graduated June 2017 with a 3.9 UGrad GPA from non-target but still well regarded private school in the Northeast. Started working in Asset Management out of undergrad on the West Coast in a front office role. I'm planning on staying here a while longer but want to internally transfer to NY and then go for an MBA closer to NY (MIT, Columbia, Wharton, NYU, Booth, HBS (could dream, right?)). I realize that I need 720+ on GMAT to round out my application, but my question to you is: what is the optimal age to go to B-School in my circumstance? I already have some accomplishments in my company that I'm very proud of but do I need to wait to get promoted to Associate in 2019 to be competitive? What else do you recommend I do between now and then? I volunteered extensively for a few years with this program in NY as well, for around 100 hours or so.
Hi Breeshbroosh,
Great to hear from you, and congrats on the stellar college GPA! I went to a small, private school in the Northeast as well (a school called Assumption College) so you're in good company! :)
First, I'd encourage you to stay away from too many "rule of thumb" (like, "I need to get a 720+ on the GMAT"). That's not necessarily true. Certainly a score in that range is a great thing to target, but don't lose hope if your GMAT score ends up a bit below that, because not all hope is lost, especially given your GPA and what sounds like a great start to your career (working in Asset Management is impressive!).
For just about all candidates, regardless of their professional field, you want AT LEAST three years of work experience, most of the time, to earn acceptance to a top-tier school like schools you listed. The "average" student has 4-5 years of work experience upon matriculation (meaning they apply with 3-4 years of experience, and have 4-5 once they start school).
Promotions are always a good thing! They're not mandatory, by any means, but showing growth and progress in your pre-MBA career is an important to show on your resume and in your application. Same thing with volunteer work - great to show a lot of it, but even better to show high-impact volunteerism where you make a clear mark on the organization your volunteer for.
I like that you're thinking through what else you should be doing in the years to come. I'd love to chat more with you to answer your specific questions. I'd need to know a bit more about you and your career goals, what type of work you're doing in your community, etc. Certainly reach out to me if you'd like to chat. You can schedule some time on my calendar here: https://app.hubspot.com/meetings/ryan240
Hope to talk to you soon! And thanks for a great post!
Ryan
Hi Ryan,
I'm about to start at a MM IB in the south and come from a non-target SEC state-school, summa cum laude, with leadership experience. After my 2-3 years of IB i'm thinking of trying a 2 year PE stint before applying for Business School. I have been interning at an alumni multi-family office and they have expressed interest in my working with them after my IB and/or PE experience, even to the extent of starting a small PE direct investment fund. Given this experience and background, a 700-720 GMAT score and an entrance paper stressing that I would use this knowledge and experience to expand my bosses' family office, what are my chances at a top 5 school? Top 10 school? Sorry for how long this is but thank you anyways.
Cheers slushii
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