Advice on MBA programs for a 620 GMAT, 3.56 GPA??

Question

I am currently 25 years old and hold the position of Assistant Director of Global Sales and Marketing for a small-mid sized Publishing company. In my two years of full time work experience, I have had much more responsibility and growth than most people 3 years out of college.

I graduated Temple University magna with a 3.56 cumulative GPA and a 3.93 major GPA. I have also scored a 620 on my GMAT.

Along with my work experience and academics, a factor that makes me a unique candidate is my international exposure. I have lived and studied in Europe, volunteered in Asia, traveled outside the USA for my current job, and I have visited 40+ countries on all continents (with the exception of Antarctica).

I plan on applying to MBA programs for Fall 2009. I would like to concentrate on International Business/Management, or something similar. What programs would be a good fit? My chances being accepted to top programs? I have not ruled out programs in Europe or Canada. Thanks!

Answer 1

With your experience and academic qualifications, you should probably aim for a school ranked from 50-75. Thunderbird (Garvin) might be a good fit for you as it is ranked #1 for its international focus and doesn't seem to be too demanding with academic qualifications.

I wouldn't rely so much on your international exposure though. Like a previous poster said, many MBA applicants nowadays have at least that much international experience - many of them have held leadership positions abroad.

Another thing - B schools don't look at your major GPA at all. They look at your overall GPA, so i wouldn't use the 3.93 figure for evaluating my chances of getting into a top school...

good luck!

Answer 2

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RE:
Advice on MBA programs for a 620 GMAT, 3.56 GPA??
I am currently 25 years old and hold the position of Assistant Director of Global Sales and Marketing for a small-mid sized Publishing company. In my two years of full time work experience, I have had much more responsibility and growth than most people 3 years out of college.

I graduated Temple...

Answer 3

To be frank, as it relates to top MBA programs, international exposure is not unique. Many, many, many applicants to top programs with great international work experience will not be admitted. So don't rely on that too heavily. Travel, in isolation, is not going to impress an admissions officer.

While your GPA is strong - it's not clear to me what your major is. A 3.93 GPA in Sociology is fine, but a 3.93 in Chemical Engineering is better. Also, more important than your GPA is your transcript. When I look at your transcript, will I see "A's" in quant courses like Calculus and Statistics? Or will those courses have low grades or even be missing from the transcript?

To determine what programs would be a good fit, I would need to have an understanding of your career goals. It's fine to know your concentration, but MBA program fit is largely dependent on your short-term and long-term career goals. Right after business school, where do you want to work? Fifteen years after business school, where do you see yourself? Also, what learning methods resonate with you? Lecture only? Case only? A mixture of both?

As far as your chances, when looking at top 10, I'd say your GMAT is a definite barrier. To better understand your chances, I recommend you list your schools in a matrix and list each school's average/range GPA, GMAT, years of work experience for students, etc. Then compare your stats to that. If the average GMAT of a school is 690, then you know that your chances are probably not great with a 620. However, it's important to realize that the GMAT is one data point. Top schools obviously do admit applicants with GMATs and GPAs lower than the school's published average (it is after all, only an average).

That said, I recommend you do research to determine your short and long-term career goals. Know why you need an MBA. Think about how you best learn and what environment would work best for you (small school, large school, etc.). Then be sure to do research - go to info sessions, visit classes, etc. Then let that help you narrow your search. If you really want to go to a top school, then you definitely need to do a GMAT retake.

Also, realize that for a top school, admission is hard no matter what. If you have great stats and decide to apply to Stanford, HBS, Wharton and Columbia, then you may not get in anywhere. So consider a balanced list of schools (not all top 10 - 20) when you are looking at what schools to apply to.

Good luck!

Answer 4

620 Gmat Score

Answer 5

You need to bring up your GMAT score considerably to get into a competitive school--fortunately you have time. Without it you will not be in a good position for top schools (you would need closer to 670 or higher, preferably 700). Sounds like you have good work experience, but be sure you can identify instances of leadership and teamwork both in your work experience and in community affairs. Many people have the type of international experience you offer, but it's always good and will give you an edge.

With an improved GMAT, I would consider you competitive for Columbia, Northwestern, and Duke. I think Harvard and Wharton would be a stretch. Columbia has a fantastic IB program, with many study abroad programs. In Europe, check out Rotterdam School of Management, but INSEAD might be a stretch--you would need proficiency in at least one other language. London Business is a possibility, but you are not strong in finance, which is their strong suit (although they have good marketing professors).

Answer 6

Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, DE

Answer 7

stop throwing your time and money at school, the corrupt get in the programs, the honest hardworking don't get in the programs, skells get the easy jobs, honest people get the hard jobs, life's a bizatch and then you die