Ask Admissionado

Hi there,

Thank you so much for generously offering to look at our questions! I have several on my hands, so I understand if you can't get to them all. Basically; I just found out about Duke's MMS (and this kind of degree in general, at LSE and LBS), and want to apply for May. My main aim is to get an idea of what options are out there, what I'm interested in, and most of all, a decent paying job afterwards in the private sector. I'm basically wondering: should I apply, what are the costs/benefits, and how to best tackle to app and GMAT from scratch in 3 months.

Here's my profile, as background: Ivy '09, French major, 3.46, less than a year of work experience and internship + international teaching program the rest of the time (less prestigious than the Fulbright). I've also taken post-bac courses in econ.

1) I'm 25, and need solid work experience and want to transition into the private sector (my internships + work, both in and out of college, were in non-profit). I'm keen on learning more about marketing, branding, and even exploring consulting, but am not sure where to start, and feel I kind of missed the boat on the whole 'business' thing (no one in my family's into this either). If I apply next year, I may have a better shot, but will I be too old for these types of programs?

2) If I didn't get in or choose to do this type of program, how could I transition into the above fields? (For consulting, is there any hope left?)

3) If I DO apply now, how should I go about focusing time/energy on studying for the GMAT for the first time AND doing my apps? I work 50 hrs/wk in my teaching assistantship but have the option of cutting that down to 35 for the next 6 at the hands of a ridiculous pay cut (forced to eat ramen, that kind of thing). Worth it?

4) My chances at Duke, LBS, LSE?

5) Should I consider lower tier Masters in Management programs like at Wake Forest?

6) Anyone heard of acceptance rates for Duke, LBS, or LSE Masters (not MBA)? Thank you!

Thanks for your help!

Cheers.