International MBA - Best matching schools

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International MBA - Best matching schools

by ik55 » Sun Jul 26, 2009 11:40 pm
Hi

I would really appreciate any feedback on my chances. I am planning to apply to INSEAD, Kellogg, Wharton, Columbia, Duke - main focus on International aspect of the course and preferably more focus on Marketing.

I have bachelors degree in Sociology and MSc in International Busines from a good UK university. Graduated in top 20% of class so assuming around 3.5 GPA (not too sure how to calculate this). Balanced GMAT score of 720.

Since graduating from the MSc I worked for a year in the UK for a small Market research agency, then worked for leading Global MR agency (aacount manager) in S.E Asia for 2 years (promoted twice) then to China for 2 years within same company. I have won a few internal global + regional awards and managed teams for the past 4 years.

I would like to study on MBA program to get into consulting preferably working in the US for a few years after the MBA then Asia in Long-term.

Do you think that with the international experience could help or hinder the application to these schools? And do you think the schools that i'm selecting are achievable with my experience?

I would appreciate any feedback
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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Mon Jul 27, 2009 3:56 am
My first reaction is that your profile will raise a red flag because you already have a Master's degree in business. Many top programs will not even consider for the MBA anyone who already has a graduate degree in business, as they view their purpose in getting the MBA as purely to obtain access to recruiters. Why would you not simply go into consulting now? You seem to have the qualifications already that would be appealing to a consulting firm.
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by ik55 » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:01 am
Thanks for the reply.

I didn't realise that having previous education in Business would raise a red flag to admissions for an MBA as I thought the courses would be quite different. The Msc that I did was straight after my Ba and only 1yr course and also mostly theoretical.

I was also under the impression that an Msc is looked down upon compared to MBA because of less pracitcal/less work experience required etc.

Do you think that the chances of getting in are substantially lower due to this for top MBA's?

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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:48 am
It really depends on the school you are applying to. Call and talk to admissions offices to get their read. In general, they will be looking for what you have done with your MS in Business and the fact that you haven't achieved your goals (and now want another MAster's degree) may indeed reflect poorly on your application. I had a client last year who had a MS degree in business and he was told by Wharton that it was a factor in his rejection. I had another client, however, who had a MS in Business and he ended up getting in at least a couple of his school choices. I would be interested to hear what others have experienced in this situation. The key, of course, is fully demonstrating your "need" for another degree. If you can adequately sell the committee on why you deserve a seat over someone else (who has had no shot at prior post graduate business education), you will certainly have a shot, but make sure you run it up the proverbial flag pole before you waste time making application to a school that frowns upon "double dipping."
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by ik55 » Mon Jul 27, 2009 8:40 pm
I contacted one of the schools and they said that this would not be an issue - the main thing is showing academic excellence.

In terms of goals - I would say i've over-achieved on what I wanted from the Msc, the main reason I took the Msc was because my Ba was from a broad background and I needed Business knowledge to get onto the ladder. 4 years on and experience in multiple markets has developed my goals to move forward into consulting and future leadership - MBA seems a necessity.

Does anyone else have experience applying for an MBA after already having an MSc?