School Suggestions and Chances

Toughmover1016 · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 7:23 am Post subject: School Suggestions and Chances

Hi,
I am looking for some suggestions on Schools to look at for my MBA, my career goal is to design and manage international supply chain management systems for a fortune 500, mostly in emerging markets (Brazil, South Africa, Russia etc..) My top 7 criteria are as followed:
a. Large yet close knit Alumni networks within the Business school
b. An active learning environment where all students are expected to provide incite on today's business world and pull from past experiences.
c. Educators with real world experience
d. Great Campus environment in which to interact with students, alumni and faculty.
e. A Career Services center that will help me get the foot in the door to achieve some of my more ambitious goals.
f. Ability to Create my own program combining Supply Chain Management and Finance
g. Opportunity to work and study Internationally

I have been lookign at Wisconsin and a few other schools I got a 630 on the GMAT, and will take it again if necesary to get into the perfect school for me. My Grades were nothign to shake a stick at but I have served as general manager for a business for the past 4 years and have tons of real world leadership experience. So What schools would you suggest and should I take the GMAT again to ensure I get into those schools.

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

Dear Paul,

It seems you have done some great foundation work for identifying the right program. Knowing what you are looking for in a school should allow you to narrow down the list of schools that offer the curriculum of interest to you. With your emphasis on alumni involvement, you should probably keep your search to schools in or near larger cities as it increases the number of alumni geographically close as well as attracts faculty with more industry experience. Likewise, there are not many programs that offer a strong supply chain curriculum, so that should be an effective first level criteria to filter programs. Once you have a list of schools, you can compare your GMAT score to the schools' mid-50% ranges. If your score falls within that range, it might not be worth retaking. If you are below that range, then you might want to retake the exam.

Good luck,
Lisa

Toughmover1016 · Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2008 11:54 am Post subject:

Well Ideally coming from all the background you have given me I would have Kellogg at the top of the list, That may be a pipe dream. Especially with a low GPA. However I have already arranged for the president (and boss/mentor) of my company to write the letter of recommendation, and I am hoping that may give me a chance. Georgetown and Fuqua are other schools that I dream about. However realistically I will apply to William & Mary, Wisconsin, George Washington (Legacy) and NC State as they both meet most of the criteria that you have listed. How high on the GMAT ladder would I have to climb to competitive for Fuqua, Kellogg and Georgetown.

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:39 am Post subject:

Hi Paul,

I think if you got your score up to 680 you would be in a more competitive position for Duke, Kellogg and Georgetown. Since you will have five years of work experience, that will be in your favor as long as you present it in the best manner possible. I do think at a ~650 you have a chance at Georgetown depending on how strong your essays and resume are.

Good luck,
Lisa