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I got a 650 on the GMAT - where should I apply?

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I got a 650 on the GMAT - where should I apply?

by MaxwellMick » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:34 am
I am wondering if someone could shed some light on my chances of getting into a top 20 or top 30 MBA program.

I'm 38 and have enthusiastically decided to earn an MBA (with a focus on marketing and branding) after putting it off for years to pursue what has been a successful career in the entertainment industry as an independent film producer and writer (I've produced three films with budget ranges $2.5 million to $5 million). I graduated from Tufts University and earned a 3.21 GPA (3.46 for my last two years) with a major in history and scored a 650 (46 quant/34 verbal) on my GMAT (took it a 2nd time and scored a 610 under the duress of a freshly strained back - hate using that excuse but it seems relevant). Also, I am a strong writer and am confident that my essay will be well received.

That being said -- What are your thoughts of my chance for getting into schools such as: 1) U of Texas - Austin, 2) Indiana University, 3) USC, 4) U of North Carolina, 5) U of Virginia, 6) Georgetown and 7) Emory; and are there any others I should be considering? - should I be aiming lower? I want to focus primarily on marketing but also focus on fiance and entrepreneurship.

And do you have any thoughts on whether the 2nd GMAT I took and got a 610 on will hurt my chances? I really hope not.

Thanks for any feedback. It's greatly appreciated.
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by jon82 » Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:26 am
The list you give seems appropriate. (UW, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Florida are also strong.) Demonstrate leadership, extra currics and maturity and you have a decent profile. I would also guess that you'll need to explain why you want an MBA and not an e-MBA.
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by money9111 » Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:11 pm
along with explaining why an MBA as opposed to an EMBA, you'll have to really drive home the "WHY NOW" question... they're going to wonder how it will benefit you AND THEM

as i'm sure you know... they'll take the highest GMAT score and a 650 seems in the right range for the schools you've listed. the 610 won't make a difference to them.. they don't want to add that to their numbers for rankings... (which is why schools take the highest scores)
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by rgstrtnaz » Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:22 am
money9111 wrote:along with explaining why an MBA as opposed to an EMBA, you'll have to really drive home the "WHY NOW" question... they're going to wonder how it will benefit you AND THEM

as i'm sure you know... they'll take the highest GMAT score and a 650 seems in the right range for the schools you've listed. the 610 won't make a difference to them.. they don't want to add that to their numbers for rankings... (which is why schools take the highest scores)
hi money9111, i have similar query-
i've a work ex in IT, 3.5 years, 730 in GMAt , good prof. record in the field of InfoTechnology as a software engg
extra curr - Guinness world record holder[built and led a team of 300 students into record books], directed - two short films,one advt, one animation

i want to pursue MBA from top Bschools- marketing/advertising/brand management or IT - but can't afford without scholarship

Two runds of most of the b schools are over and application deadlines for 3rd- the last rounds are nearing.
Which schools should I apply to ? 'scholarship' is one of the main criterias for me. please reply.

thanks in advance.
reg
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by money9111 » Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:19 am
rgstrtnaz well let me ask you this... why do you feel that you need to go to B-school this Fall as opposed to next fall?
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by rgstrtnaz » Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:21 am
money9111 wrote:rgstrtnaz well let me ask you this... why do you feel that you need to go to B-school this Fall as opposed to next fall?
hi, thanks for reply.

this is personal but still sharing -

dad has retired a few months back. With his small savings he will be able to support the family till next 1-1.5 yrs, my earnings have been consumed to repay the undergrad debt + to support family[mom has got medical problems]- i have saving of around 3000$ -more than half will be spent on applications.

if i get admitted this year i will be able to finish my MBA in next two years. assuming i pay half of tution fees through scholarship and other half through loans, i will have a debt when i become an MBA.

after MBA, I will be able to repay the debt in 1-1.5 years and from second year job i can start supporting my family. if i get admission this year my family would suffer less than in any later case.


Also, one of my friends[from India], with somewhat similar financial background is planing to take GMAT on next weekend. he has application essays ready for 5 colleges. [he started it beforehand as he is confident about the GMAT score on avg 710-730]. he is also in doubt whether he will be able to get admission[scholarship again a misn criteria :|] this year

what's your input on this ?

thanks in advance,
Reg S
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by money9111 » Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:00 pm
rgstrtnaz I admire you and your selflessness! I don't know that I'm qualified to give you a concrete answer, I would definitely seek the advice of others. But I will say that you write a compelling story, and have the stats to back it up. I think you have a very good shot at gaining admission to b-school.

I think that in your case should you apply round 3... it will be essential to really hammer home "WHY NOW"... if you can write as much as you did on here for that question, I'm sure you can write an even more compelling story. As far as which schools to apply to for scholarships... I can't really help you out there, because I haven't done any research on that. I suggest you start a new topic with the title "Scholarship Ideas?" or "best schools for scholarships" some people who have done the research may be able to help.

Have you looked into 1 year mba programs? If you need to "get in and get out" of b-school this may be a good option. Worst case scenario I think you have figured out the reason why you should apply R3, so don't let odds of admission hold you back.
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by rgstrtnaz » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:08 am
thanks a lot for your advice. it has boosted my confidence to apply for remaining rounds. I will start a thread regading scholarship. how about my friends prob, should he go ahead ?
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by rgstrtnaz » Sun Feb 07, 2010 3:25 am
hi all,

if you have any ideas about best schools for scholarship, please mention it on -

https://www.beatthegmat.com/best-schools ... tml#221963

thanks,
reg s
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by money9111 » Mon Feb 08, 2010 6:22 am
glad I could help! best of luck!
My goal is to make MBA applicants take onus over their process.

My story from Pre-MBA to Cornell MBA - New Post in Pre-MBA blog

Me featured on Poets & Quants

Free Book for MBA Applicants

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