BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Get my MBA or take new job? Advice needed + Interview tips

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 6:42 am

Get my MBA or take new job? Advice needed + Interview tips

by Josh85 » Fri Apr 15, 2011 7:29 am
I'm in a bit of a pickle.

I have an interview next week at a university that I applied to last year. I was wait-listed and didn't make the cut but I re-applied and they're reviewing my new application. My GMAT scores are abysmal (honestly I was surprised I was even wait-listed) but the rest of my application is pretty solid. I'm not sure how much of a chance I have but I'm optimistic.

Here comes the problem.

Back in November, I interviewed with a company and I did not get the job. This was before I decided to reapply for my MBA. I figured I would expand my work experience and get a new set of skills. But they just called me today and told me that they want me to come work for them. It's definitely an option I want to keep open but I'm fairly certain that if the university accepts me as a student I will enroll. If not, then I will probably take the new job.


1) What should I tell the new company? Should I be honest and open with them and tell them I'm waiting for my application results?

2) I'm not exactly sure what the interview (for the university) is going to entail. I've already interviewed with them twice last year and I'm not sure what kind of questions they're going to ask.


Any advice would be Awesome! :)
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |
User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 1255
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:08 pm
Location: St. Louis
Thanked: 312 times
Followed by:90 members

by Tani » Mon Apr 18, 2011 4:03 pm
Tough call! You can try to find out how soon the university would be able to give you a response. If it's going to be several weeks, my instinct would be to take the job. You might also talk to the employer, tell them how interested you are in working for them and find out what their policies are on employees going to school part time. You might be able to take classes at night and get your tuition paid.

It depends to some extent on what schools and what employer you are looking at. If it is a dream employer and a third choice school that's a different issue than if it is the school of your dreams and a so-so employer. Also, it depends to some extent on your age. If it's a great employer and you are only 25, you would have a chance to get into an even stronger school 2 years from now.

A third interview suggests that they are interested but have some concerns. Ask yourself whether anything questionable came up in last year's interviews. Also ask yourself whether you application is indeed stronger this year. If you have fixed things that were problems last year or added sterling achievements your chances should be very good. If nothing has changed, I would be less optimistic.

There are two bad outcomes - one is turn down the job and not get into the school. The other is to take the job and get into the school and then bolt without having warned the company. That could haunt you when you start job hunting again.

Definitely a sticky situation. Without knowing the school and the company and how each of those fits your long term goal I can't be much more help. Being open with both the school and the employer could give you some answers and would keep you out of any sticky ethical situations.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1