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TheRawConsultant
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:20 pm
- GMAT Score:740
Hi Everyone,
I'm at a bit of a cross road and am hoping for guidance towards the best path to a top MBA program.
A little background on me:
3.7/4.0 GPA from Top 20 US University
->Double Major in Finance and Accounting w/ honors
->All-American Athlete, lead a major campus organization, and received school and national recognition for my accomplishments (NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar, campus leadership award, etc.)
After school, joined a Big4 Accounting firm in Financial Advisory division. Was a top ranked associate w/ significant projects and client exposure and received CPA certification. Left after 1.5 years for a boutique strategy shop (primarily fortune 100 clients).
Now comes to the challenging section. Last December (after appx. 1yr at the strategy shop), I was laid off. I decided that my only logical next step would be to pursue and MBA. I spent December studying for and taking the GMAT (disappointing 660, but took it right before applications were due) and applied to four MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Northwestern). I didn't get into any of the programs and am trying to determine what my optimal next steps should be.
Afraid that I would burn bridges if I got a job and then left for an MBA program shortly after, I did not look for another position. During January and February - realizing that my GMAT score was likely too weak - I studied for and retook the exam (740) and applied to a non-profit fellowship programs, which I was accepted into. My issue is that I didn't realize the fellowship began in September and I'm afraid that is too long to wait without working. Currently, I am doing freelance paid consulting for small and medium sized business in the areas of strategy and process improvement.
My question is, should I (1) Reapply (and add new programs) this September (2)Hold off on applying until R2, once the fellowship has begun or (3) take a corporate strategy job at a fortune 500 (have received a few solicitations) and hold off applying for 1-2 years?
I apologize for the length of this message, but I thought the background would be necessary to form an accurate opinion. Thank you so much (in advance) for all your guidance and feedback.
TRC
I'm at a bit of a cross road and am hoping for guidance towards the best path to a top MBA program.
A little background on me:
3.7/4.0 GPA from Top 20 US University
->Double Major in Finance and Accounting w/ honors
->All-American Athlete, lead a major campus organization, and received school and national recognition for my accomplishments (NCAA Post-Graduate Scholar, campus leadership award, etc.)
After school, joined a Big4 Accounting firm in Financial Advisory division. Was a top ranked associate w/ significant projects and client exposure and received CPA certification. Left after 1.5 years for a boutique strategy shop (primarily fortune 100 clients).
Now comes to the challenging section. Last December (after appx. 1yr at the strategy shop), I was laid off. I decided that my only logical next step would be to pursue and MBA. I spent December studying for and taking the GMAT (disappointing 660, but took it right before applications were due) and applied to four MBA programs (Harvard, Stanford, MIT and Northwestern). I didn't get into any of the programs and am trying to determine what my optimal next steps should be.
Afraid that I would burn bridges if I got a job and then left for an MBA program shortly after, I did not look for another position. During January and February - realizing that my GMAT score was likely too weak - I studied for and retook the exam (740) and applied to a non-profit fellowship programs, which I was accepted into. My issue is that I didn't realize the fellowship began in September and I'm afraid that is too long to wait without working. Currently, I am doing freelance paid consulting for small and medium sized business in the areas of strategy and process improvement.
My question is, should I (1) Reapply (and add new programs) this September (2)Hold off on applying until R2, once the fellowship has begun or (3) take a corporate strategy job at a fortune 500 (have received a few solicitations) and hold off applying for 1-2 years?
I apologize for the length of this message, but I thought the background would be necessary to form an accurate opinion. Thank you so much (in advance) for all your guidance and feedback.
TRC
