Stacy,
I'm a junior attorney (just under 3 years work experience) practicing at a Fortune 500 subsidiary with C-Suite dreams (not as General Counsel). I have a 3.2 UG GPA, B.S. in Applied Economics from Berkeley. On the GMAT I scored 620. Am I better off re-taking the GMAT and improving my score, or proving my quantitative prowess by taking community college math classes (e.g. calculus)? I'm aiming for UCLA Anderson FEMBA. Thank you.
Retake GMAT or take Community College math classes?
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Hi Pacific2014,
You've got a few different issues going on here, so let's untangle them a bit. Yes, your numbers -- GPA and GMAT -- may be low for the program you're targeting, although FEMBA programs typically have lower expectations in this area than full-time MBAs. However, FEMBA applicants are usually older, bringing six to ten years of work experience, so here you're still a bit under the median as well. Why in particular are you targeting an "EMBA"-style program? Is it a matter of finances or wanting to keep your current job while you study, or more about the GMAT/GPA issue? I'm assuming your post-MBA goals will involve a career change?
The quick answer to your question is, "both" -- retake the GMAT, also take the coursework. And you might also consider taking another year before applying, unless you have a reason for doing the FEMBA now that will be compelling to the adcom.
Hope this helps.
Margaret Strother
You've got a few different issues going on here, so let's untangle them a bit. Yes, your numbers -- GPA and GMAT -- may be low for the program you're targeting, although FEMBA programs typically have lower expectations in this area than full-time MBAs. However, FEMBA applicants are usually older, bringing six to ten years of work experience, so here you're still a bit under the median as well. Why in particular are you targeting an "EMBA"-style program? Is it a matter of finances or wanting to keep your current job while you study, or more about the GMAT/GPA issue? I'm assuming your post-MBA goals will involve a career change?
The quick answer to your question is, "both" -- retake the GMAT, also take the coursework. And you might also consider taking another year before applying, unless you have a reason for doing the FEMBA now that will be compelling to the adcom.
Hope this helps.
Margaret Strother