Ask Clear Admit

Hi, I've been researching MBA admissions and want to ask your advice. I am strongly considering applying to B-school in one or two years. Now is the time to start preparing.

My main question is how much will my professional background and industry distinguish me? Also, would it allow me to reach for schools better than my "numbers" would otherwise suggest?

First, here's my professional background. I'm 25 and I've worked for three years as a television news reporter in a mid-size market. I've been promoted to the station's consumer reporter, the flagship on-air position and main brand identity for the station. I also oversee a department of 20+ volunteers who operate our consumer hotline/phone bank. I train and supervise them to answer viewer calls, research their problems, contact businesses, and resolve consumer complaints. I helped launch the program and developed policies and training programs. We expect to recover well into the six-figures for our viewers by next year. I have similar media/journalism leadership experience dating back almost 10 years to when I was in high school.

Would I be a unique candidate?

GPA: 3.4 from Duke

I've never taken the GMAT and, honestly, don't have a good idea what it would be. Clearly, I know this is an incredibly important aspect to MBA admissions. Let's say I score in the 600s. Is my background unique enough to give me a boost to still be accepted to a top tier school even with a score at the lower end, or outside of, the 50 or 80 percent range?

Eliot,

Many thanks for your message.

I have a follow up question. When we see schools reporting their middle 80 percent GMAT ranges, we know dozens and dozens of students scored below the bottom score. In your experience, who are these students? Are they legacies? Development admits? Students who add to the ethnic diversity of the class? Harvard's website says some students scored 550. I certainly presume no one got into Harvard with a 550 who was a consultant or engineer. These are obviously somewhat hypothetical questions, but I have been curious about this.

Thanks.