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Please advise

Launched September 22, 2008
Expert replies
by icevaliant » Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:45 am
Hello,

I'm not the typical candidate thinking about applying to MBA programs and am in need of some advice, which would be greatly appreciated.

I was thinking about applying for the entering class of Fall 2013.

Here is my academic history:

3.91 GPA in Philosophy (BA 2007)from small, unknown liberal arts religiously affiliated school.
4.0 GPA in Philosophy (MA 2009( from California State University, Los Angeles.
3.7 GPA in Philosophy (PhD expected 2013) from the University of California, San Diego.

I haven't taken the GMAT yet, but am confident in my test-taking abilities. Though expired, my GRE (from 2006) is a 1400, 6.0 AWA. (660 V, 94%, 740 Q, 84%).

Here's the main problem from what I've gleaned in my research involving the MBA. I have no full-time work experience in business. I have several years (4+) as a teaching assistant, the last two of which consisted in my teaching my own sections.

I have several extra-curriculars, but mainly from my college days. There has been nothing recently, but I have much free time next year to pursue this and internships.

I have a few questions:

1. What would the best thing I can do at this point to enhance my profile? Since I am located at UCSD, I have access to taking some classes there, even possibly ones offered to the MBA students. I also have access to the undergraduate management and economics classes. I also have researched some possible internships for the next year. There are also plenty of leadership opportunities available.

2. How will my PhD in philosophy be looked at? Will it help? Hurt? Not be of particular advantage or disadvantage?

3. What are my chances of being admitted to UCLA's full-time MBA program if I can get a good (715+) GMAT score, some internships, and some extra leadership on my resume? Is the school too much of a reach? What schools would be appropriate for me?


Thank you,

Tom
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Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

by Stacey Oyler » Thu Jul 07, 2011 10:10 am
Hi Icevaliant,

Thanks for your post. Please see my comments below:

1. What would the best thing I can do at this point to enhance my profile? Since I am located at UCSD, I have access to taking some classes there, even possibly ones offered to the MBA students. I also have access to the undergraduate management and economics classes. I also have researched some possible internships for the next year. There are also plenty of leadership opportunities available.


I think the best thing you can do is identify why you want to get your MBA and how you can connect the dots from what you're doing now to what you want to do. If you haven't taken basic business foundation courses such as economics, accounting and statistics, it might be wise to do so now. Doing so will not only demonstrate to the adcom your sincerity around seeking an MBA, but it will also help demonstrate your ability to handle rigorous quantitative courses.

2. How will my PhD in philosophy be looked at? Will it help? Hurt? Not be of particular advantage or disadvantage?

While your PhD won't put you at a disadvantage, it won't likely put you at an advantage. You are in a precarious situation in that the adcom will most likely question your need/motive for an MBA given you have worked so long and hard to achieve success in a completely different academic interest. Given your lack of work experience the adcom may fear that you are a "degree collector" and afraid to join the real world of working folks. By developing solid short and long term goals and connecting the dots between what you're doing now and what you wish to do post MBA you can help mitigate these potential concerns.

3. What are my chances of being admitted to UCLA's full-time MBA program if I can get a good (715+) GMAT score, some internships, and some extra leadership on my resume? Is the school too much of a reach? What schools would be appropriate for me?


While I can't give you odds of success, I can tell you that a solid GMAT score of at least 715 (right around UCLA's average) combined with clear goals and some business coursework under your belt will certainly boost your odds of success.

Best of luck,

Stacey
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Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
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