I've spent the past few months thinking of about doing an MBA, researching schools, and the various career paths I can leverage with the degree. I've finally decided I want to do an MBA and get into Management Consulting afterwards.
Having made this decision, I'm not sure if I should apply for 2010 or wait for 2011? I only have about 6 weeks to get everything together for the 2010 application (650+ gmat, essays, rec. letters) so it will cram time with no guarantee I'll achieve the 650+ gmat score and also my essay won't be outstanding given the time constraint. I'm thinking that if I get rejected, I"ll re-apply for the 2011 in the fall. Will the Adcom look at my re-application negatively?
My other thought also was why not apply to 1-2 "safe" schools that I know I do not want to go to, but just do it to get experience in writing essays and going through the interview process; that way I will be better prepared for the schools I want to go to. Is this a bad idea other than spending a few hundred dollars on the application?
Also, I am currently unemployed due to being laid off from a large consulting firm 5 months ago. I made a mistake by not doing too much these past 5 months other look for work, travel, and figure out what I want to do career wise..I will have to explain this employment gap. If I don't get in for 2010, I plan on doing volunteer work, take courses, and look for work to build my application stronger.
Quick Profile:
Work Experience: 2.5 years (IT Consulting), 2 years (R&D), 3 years (Entrepreneurship venture)
Education: Bachelor & Master in Computer Science
GPA: 3.1
GMAT: Unknown (650-670 realistic target)
Target Schools: Ivey, Rotman, Queens (Canada)
---> If I can pull a 700+ GMAT, any chance at Wharton, ESADE, INSEAD, Booth, Duke?
Having made this decision, I'm not sure if I should apply for 2010 or wait for 2011? I only have about 6 weeks to get everything together for the 2010 application (650+ gmat, essays, rec. letters) so it will cram time with no guarantee I'll achieve the 650+ gmat score and also my essay won't be outstanding given the time constraint. I'm thinking that if I get rejected, I"ll re-apply for the 2011 in the fall. Will the Adcom look at my re-application negatively?
My other thought also was why not apply to 1-2 "safe" schools that I know I do not want to go to, but just do it to get experience in writing essays and going through the interview process; that way I will be better prepared for the schools I want to go to. Is this a bad idea other than spending a few hundred dollars on the application?
Also, I am currently unemployed due to being laid off from a large consulting firm 5 months ago. I made a mistake by not doing too much these past 5 months other look for work, travel, and figure out what I want to do career wise..I will have to explain this employment gap. If I don't get in for 2010, I plan on doing volunteer work, take courses, and look for work to build my application stronger.
Quick Profile:
Work Experience: 2.5 years (IT Consulting), 2 years (R&D), 3 years (Entrepreneurship venture)
Education: Bachelor & Master in Computer Science
GPA: 3.1
GMAT: Unknown (650-670 realistic target)
Target Schools: Ivey, Rotman, Queens (Canada)
---> If I can pull a 700+ GMAT, any chance at Wharton, ESADE, INSEAD, Booth, Duke?