Are Your Stretch Schools Too Much of a Stretch?

Figure out where you wish to apply
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Ever since we were kids, we were always told to dream big and reach for the stars. So why shouldn't this same optimism apply to business school applications and targeting stretch schools? We all love that underdog story about the one person with a 590 GMAT that sneaks into Harvard. Shouldn't you submit an application just to see what happens?

Well it all comes down to time. Or, in perhaps more "bschool appropriate" lingo, opportunity cost. Most applicants are busy with full time jobs and only have the time and energy to apply to a handful of programs well. That makes deciding which schools to invest your time in very important. Did we say very? We meant EXTREMELY important. As MBA admissions consultants, we spend a lot of time helping applicants with their school selection and application timing / strategy. One of our most important roles throughout this process is helping our clients determine which stretch schools are realistic stretch programs versus proverbial shots in the dark. They aren't easy conversations to have and can often result in us sharing advice the applicant may not want to hear. Although, a lot of the time we get to tell clients they aren't being aggressive ENOUGH and that's always awesome news to deliver!

But before we get ahead of ourselves, what do we mean by "stretch school"? Stretch schools can be broadly defined as schools where your GMAT score falls on the lower end of the school's 80% range and your work experience and academics are less competitive than those of other applicants applying to that particular program. As you can tell, they aren't exactly scientific or binary criteria. It's a very subjective process influenced by expertise and experience.

One thing we always do at Critical Square is encourage our clients to apply to (realistic) stretch schools or dream programs. Why? Because you only do this once and if you don't try, you'll never know. What's the worst that could happen? But remember - every application comes at a cost in terms of time and opportunity. So if you do stretch for some schools, make sure it is part of a balanced breakfast. Oops, we meant strategy!

So as you whittle away at your target list of schools, here are a few things to keep in mind as you determine if your stretch school is too far out of reach.

1. Your GMAT score falls out of the 80% range of scores. According to a 2013 survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, 51% of admissions officers said that a low GMAT score is what gets an MBA applicant dinged. The GMAT score is the only comparable variable the admissions committee has to benchmark you against thousands of other applicants so your score means a lot. Unless you have exceptional work experience along with glowing recommendations that indicate that you are a superstar in your field, a very low GMAT will likely eliminate any hope of you getting in. Check out our school profiles to see how your GMAT score stacks up.

2. You've been working for less than 2 years. The focus on your professional experience by the admissions committee really gets magnified when you are applying to a stretch school. All top MBA programs want to see significant work experience that demonstrates your ability to get promoted and perform at a high level and works on meaningful projects. Usually you need 3-5 years of a steady track record to give an admissions committee confidence in your achievements and how it will translate to future potential. If the rest of your profile is below average and you don't have enough work experience to make up for it, your application is heading for the ding pile.

3. Your GPA isn't within the 80% range and your undergrad major doesn't include business, economics, or engineering at a highly ranked program. The GPA often takes a backseat to the GMAT score when discussing applications but it does play an important role in your profile (in the survey we mentioned above, it took the #2 spot). Your GPA and your undergraduate field of study gives admissions committee a peek into your intellectual horsepower. Yes, a low GPA can be mitigated with actions like taking additional quantitative classes or providing a track record of analytic work in your professional experiences. However in instances where you have a highly selective program with deep application pools such as Stanford or Harvard, the emphasis on where you went, what you studied, and how well you did will likely separate many similarly qualified applicants.

Are any of these factors going to keep you out of an amazing program? No, of course not! We had a client just last year with a 2.3 get into TWO top 5 programs with close to full tuition fellowships at both. That's why we always encourage our clients to TRY! But try INTELLIGENTLY. For one client, HBS could be a realistic stretch program. For another, that upper limit could be Duke. There are a lot of things to consider and putting together a plan that is built on all the puzzle pieces and a thorough understanding of risk is critical.

However, these are only general guidelines. If you want to know how your profile stacks up and which schools are right for you, [sign up for a free consultation] and let's chat about it! If you want more tips, tricks, and news, be sure to follow us on [Twitter] and [Facebook]!

Good luck,

Bhavik
Critical Square | MBA Admissions Services

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