Which would be better work experience for eventual MBA?

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:50 pm
Hi,

Thanks in advance for looking this over. I have applied to several MBA programs this year, and the results so far have all been rejections. I've only applied to top 5-10 schools. I'll give you my story in a few short paragraphs, which my eventual question leading to what would be next, assuming that I don't get into any of my remaining MBA schools.

I'm 23, Asian-American male, with 2 years of full-time work experience teaching 7th and 8th grade math and science through Teach for America. In my first year of teaching, my students had the top math scores in our region of the city and had the largest increase in scores for any school in the district. I'm currently in my second year.

GPA: 3.95/4.00 with Highest Honors in Economics from a large state university. (4.00 GPA in the major)-- took classes in basically everything including game theory and 2 classes of econometrics.
I have about 30 credits in math/stats(4 levels of calculus, math prob, linear algebra, math reasoning-- basically introductory proofs, stats I and II)-- one B+ among these, all the rest were As. Also have about 30 credits of science class (1 years of bio, physics, chemistry, and organic chem), 4.00 in the science classes.

GMAT: 720 (50Q, 38V, 6.0 AWA)

There are other things. A bunch of academic awards, service-related clubs, and several part-time jobs during college, but obviously the bulk of it is what I just listed. I know my work experience is relatively thin (2 years, full-time), but would my GPA, working in the non-profit sector (Teach for America/public schools), and results of my work experience make up for this?

I'd eventually like to work internationally, specifically in India, in educational inequity issues. I'm hoping to do some sort of policy/business joint degree.

The real question is this-- assuming I don't get into any of my remaining MBA schools, would it be better to spend a 3rd and maybe even 4th year at my current school that I was placed at through Teach for America?

Another option is that I could apply for staff position within Teach for America, working to support its teachers.

My final option would be to work for Teach for India (which is an organization that is part of Teach for All, which is based on the Teach for America model). I'd be working in a more administrative capacity there with things such as recruitment, teacher training, establishing partnerships with governments, etc. If I spent 2 years there, I'd have 2 with TFA and then 2 with Teach for India, giving me a more typical 4 years total when I apply for an MBA.

I'd personally like to work for Teach for India, but I just wanted to see whether its status as a relatively new and not extremely well known organization would hinder my chances of an MBA. Which option would be better given my eventual career goals?

Thanks in advance.
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

User avatar
Legendary Member
Posts: 590
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:51 pm
Location: New York
Thanked: 47 times
Followed by:7 members

by Cindy Tokumitsu » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:49 pm
Hello,

You’ve got an interesting background and clearly have the potential to be a competitive applicant for top b-schools. However, the question you ask is one I can’t answer, because fundamentally I don’t think it’s the right question.

Your teaching background – not just the teaching itself but the circumstances and the program – have the potential to be a compelling and differentiating story. That’s the plus. On the other hand, if you’re pursuing an MBA, you’re clearly looking to change careers in some way, and that, while not a negative, is definitely a challenge for an applicant to present effectively. I don’t think that one path or the other, among those you describe, will strengthen (or weaken) your chances for admission. I think it’s much more likely that you didn’t execute the application well enough to interest or convince the top schools.

You didn’t mention what your goals are, but assuming they’re appropriate and you can make a strong case for them, then I consider you as a potentially very strong applicant who also has some notable challenges, as a younger applicant and a career changer. The application has to spotlight your “positives” while also directly or indirectly addressing these challenges.

I suggest that you pursue the path of greatest appeal to you in the immediate term, and do a thorough and unsparing critique of your application(s) to see not just where you might have been weak in your presentation, but where you can improve even it it was pretty good. To succeed with these top schools, you must do more than competently present your case. You must compellingly present your case.

Good luck!

Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com