Live GMAT classes with Target Test Prep start Nov 21 and Nov 22. First class free.

See classes
Target Test Prep · GMAT

Choose how you want to prepare

Learn live with an expert or move at your own pace. Every option includes the complete TTP study system.

Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards 2026 winner: Target Test Prep, #1 Test Prep

Target Test Prep was voted #1 Best Test Prep in the 2026 Newsweek Readers’ Choice™ Awards.

★★★★★5.0563 reviews
GMATLiveTeachStarts Nov 22
Josh Braslow, Target Test Prep GMAT expert
LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

Get Ready for GMAT Test Day Faster with Live Online Classes

with Josh Braslow, 20+ years in test prep

Nov 22 · Josh Braslow
Sun · 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET
Included
40 hours of live online classes + 6 months of TTP OnDemand
  • Attend the first class for free
  • Every class is recorded, so you never fall behind
View classes & enroll
Limited seats availableTarget Test Prep
EALiveTeachOnDemandStart anytime
EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

Target Test Prep EA OnDemand

Self-paced EA prep. Study on your schedule.

EXECUTIVE ASSESSMENT

with

165+ EA score guarantee
$05-day trial no automatic billing
Schedule
Included
40 hours of live online classes plus six months of access to the complete TTP EA OnDemand course.
  • 165+ EA Score Guarantee
  • 4,100+ Quant, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning practice questions
  • 400+ hours of in-depth video lessons
  • 3,000+ step-by-step video solutions
View EA class & enroll Start free 5-day trial
Limited cohort · enrollment openTrial includes full course accessTarget Test Prep
GMATOnDemandStart anytime
SELF-PACED MASTERCLASS

Target Test Prep GMAT OnDemand

Complete access from day one. Study on your schedule.

715+ score guarantee
$0to start then $127/mo
  • Personalized study plan and analytics
  • Thousands of lessons and practice questions

Profile Evaluation: Very Early Career/Straight Undergrad App

Launched September 22, 2008
Expert replies
by gp70 » Wed Mar 16, 2011 5:59 pm
Hi!

Would you be so kind to give me your thoughts? I am considering top 20 US B-Schools, but the better, the better :)

First my profile:
Demographics: male, 22 years old, from Austria, Europe, German native speaker.

Undergrad: BSc in Business, Economics and Social Sciences with Business Administration major; specializations accounting, management control, tax law. passed with distinction, GPA 1,49 (European 1-5 scale, 1 is best grade, 5 is failing grade).
The program's minimum duration generally is 3 years, most students need 4 years to complete it. I actually graduated in only 2 years, without any waivers, just decided to go for twice the workload in the second year (was bored basically).
The school is the biggest business university in Europe, with nearly 30,000 students enrolled. Class (~ 4000 students) rank is confirmed top 1%.
Also completed about half of a LL.B Business Law Bachelor, but will not continue this program. (Should I mention this at all? Will I need to provide transcripts for this?)

GMAT & TOEFL: taken in January 2011: GMAT 690 (V41/Q44/AWA 5.5), TOEFL 114
(I think I can do better on quant, will retake in 2 weeks and hope for 720+)

Work exp: As of now, only 6 months part time in accounting department of an SME during second year of undergrad (excellent recommendation) + 2 month research project at university (very low scale leadership function)
Currently interviewing for internships at major consulting firms, financial advisory at BIG4 and Investment banking/Asset Management. Will complete 4 - 6 months internships before fall 2011.

Extracurriculars: active in one charity NPO (non-leadership), active in my undergraduate school's ambassador program (marketing the school at high schools, doing campus tours), active in local European law student association; active in organization and as a mentor for a private high potential program; ..

Why MBA/Why now?: Want to study business at one of the best institutions in this field, with top professors and top peers. I am in this primarily for the education, the intellectual and personal challenge. Career is not my main concern, although MBA would fasttrack career significantly (post MBA: consulting).

-

I have applied in Round 2 to HBS and MIT this year and already received rejections (basically just gave it a try, still I took the application 100% serious). Currently applying R3 Wharton and Yale. Maybe R3 Stanford if I can boost my GMAT substantially. Chances slim or none?

I also consider applying again next year, but I am not sure what to do until then. If I'd work 1,5 years in consulting, I would be a typical early career applicant next year. Realistic chances at top 20 US B-Schools?

Other possibility would be doing an MSc from fall 2011 to summer 2012. What do business schools think about that? Will there be a chance for the 2012 fall intake if I have my current profile + some more months top internships + an MSc?

Awful lot of questions, I know. Thanks in advance for having a look at it.

Best regards.
Last edited by gp70 on Wed Apr 06, 2011 1:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Join the discussion
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

by Stacey Oyler » Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:15 pm
Hi,

Thanks for your post. I realize you have a lot of questions, but I do think getting to the main issue is important. Frankly you don't have enough work experience for top 20 US programs. Most look for a minimum of 2 years (HBS actually implemented a 2+2 program for this purpose), and your 6 months of part time experience just might not be enough. Schools like HBS who rely heavily on the case method rely on students with diverse work experience and tenure to contribute to the class discussion. I think it's fair to say that adcoms might be concerned that you don't have enough experience yet to make a solid contribution to your class.

I agree that retaking the GMAT is probably a good idea as is waiting another year or two before applying to schools. The more experience you have the more you can contribute to bschool programs.

Lastly, bschools want to know why you need an MBA to advance in your career. Simply stating you're going to school for the intellectual challenge isn't enough. Top bschools are looking for future leaders and if you can't state that you're looking for the same, it might be challenging for them to admit you since your overall goals aren't in sync.

Regards,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.
Join the discussion