I scored a 640 on my GMAT last year. I am looking to apply to Berkeley-Haas Part-time and start classes in Fall 2015.
I will be 32 when I matriculate in Fall 2015.
Can I apply with a 640 GMAT score? I am not sure if I will have time to study and retake the GMAT as I have plans to build a web startup this year and see where it goes. I work full-time for Qualcomm as well.
My profile:
Age - 31 today
Gender - Female
Nationality - India
Undergrad GPA - 2.9 from Cornell in Computer Engineering
Work exp - 9 years (steady promotions), experience in research & dev, dealing with clients etc. Worked for Qualcomm and Intel.
Grad GPA - 3.7 from a local public university (took 5 years to graduate as I took classes on and off and pursued a part-time degree while working FT)
Post-MBA goals - Product Management, Business Development in the tech industry.
Should I go ahead and apply with a 640 or wait and see where my web startup takes me and apply for the Fall 2016 batch instead of the Fall 2015 batch. If I wait, I will be 33 at matriculation in Fall 2016.
Also, I assume I am too old for full-time programs? Hopefully, I am not too old for PT programs too.
Please advise.
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640 - confused about applying to Haas now
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sweta_gmat
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CriticalSquareMBA
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Hi there,
So...I might not have the best news for you. With your undergrad GPA, you should really consider retaking the GMAT. You're well below their average GMAT score. By being that far off the median, you're putting a lot of stress on the rest of your application. In other words, you're putting yourself behind the 8 ball before you even really get your foot in the door. I think the web start up is a great idea but you should focus a bit on the GMAT too. That said, I think you should probably wait. Get the GMAT score up and get some traction with the business. It'll help strengthen your profile. The program might be part time but Haas isn't messin' around! You're going toe-to-toe with some of the best applicants in the Bay Area and a low GMAT is a pretty big flag.
Bhavik
So...I might not have the best news for you. With your undergrad GPA, you should really consider retaking the GMAT. You're well below their average GMAT score. By being that far off the median, you're putting a lot of stress on the rest of your application. In other words, you're putting yourself behind the 8 ball before you even really get your foot in the door. I think the web start up is a great idea but you should focus a bit on the GMAT too. That said, I think you should probably wait. Get the GMAT score up and get some traction with the business. It'll help strengthen your profile. The program might be part time but Haas isn't messin' around! You're going toe-to-toe with some of the best applicants in the Bay Area and a low GMAT is a pretty big flag.
Bhavik
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GeneralEd
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Hi Sweta,
I completely agree with Bhavik here. Your overall profile and work experience seems fine, but the GPA and GMAT Score is on a lower side. The average GMAT Score of Berkley Haas part time/weekend MBA program is 690+, so would suggest you to retake your GMAT and target for 700+. And for top MBA programs GMAT is definitely not only the parameter, there are other parameters too like your work experience, academic scores, extra curricular etc. It also allows you to give enough time to your web start up and strengthen your profile.
You may also gauge your chances of getting admission in top B-Schools by trying this amazing Your Chances for B-School tool https://bit.ly/1a2lm5J
Hope that helps.
Cheers!
I completely agree with Bhavik here. Your overall profile and work experience seems fine, but the GPA and GMAT Score is on a lower side. The average GMAT Score of Berkley Haas part time/weekend MBA program is 690+, so would suggest you to retake your GMAT and target for 700+. And for top MBA programs GMAT is definitely not only the parameter, there are other parameters too like your work experience, academic scores, extra curricular etc. It also allows you to give enough time to your web start up and strengthen your profile.
You may also gauge your chances of getting admission in top B-Schools by trying this amazing Your Chances for B-School tool https://bit.ly/1a2lm5J
Hope that helps.
Cheers!
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fxmbaconsulting
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Hi Sweta,
If you want to get into product management why don't you get a job working at a funded start-up instead? Given the fact that you might be 35 by the time you graduate, considering that most people plateau in terms of salary by the age of 40, considering the monetary outlay and opportunity cost of an MBA, imagining that you may want to have kids...an MBA is totally not worthwhile for you (based on the information you provided in your initial post).
Penelope Trunk has written a lot of interesting articles on this topic https://penelopetrunk.com/?s=mba&submit= ... C2%2C3%2C4
If you would like to chat let me know.
Best,
Leah
If you want to get into product management why don't you get a job working at a funded start-up instead? Given the fact that you might be 35 by the time you graduate, considering that most people plateau in terms of salary by the age of 40, considering the monetary outlay and opportunity cost of an MBA, imagining that you may want to have kids...an MBA is totally not worthwhile for you (based on the information you provided in your initial post).
Penelope Trunk has written a lot of interesting articles on this topic https://penelopetrunk.com/?s=mba&submit= ... C2%2C3%2C4
If you would like to chat let me know.
Best,
Leah
