MBA a possibility for me? Non-Traditional

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MBA a possibility for me? Non-Traditional

by Chutch » Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:58 pm
I am currently evaluating whether or not pursuing an MBA makes sense for me / is do-able.

About me:

-27 yrs old, white, male

COLLEGE:
-Bachelors of Science - Radio-Television-Film @ University of Texas at Austin
-completed Business Foundations program
-2.9 GPA (should have been 3.5 and I have an explanation as to why i did poorly one semester that anyone with a heart will sympathize with)
-graduated 2007

POST-UNDERGRAD WORK:
-Sales assistant with wine wholesaler 8 months
-Video Editing internship in Central America 3 months
-Sales associate at sporting goods store 6 months (needed a job)
-Gained license to sell health & life insurance and completed company training but realized that the company preyed on the impoverished and uneducated and promptly resigned
-Part-owner and VP of Finance for start-up agri-business business 2 1/2 years (presently)
-Greenhouse Technician for plant nursery part-time 10 months (presently)

NON-WORK ACTIVITIES:
-create hip-hop albums and mixtapes
-graphic design
-write spec feature screenplays
-in process of starting-up a new entrepreneurial venture

GMAT:
-Haven't taken it yet
-GRE Results: 640 Verbal, 620 Quant, 4.0 Writing

POST-GRAD:
-Probably would focus on entrepreneurship or management

NOTES:
-kind of all over the board, not sure what schools i could get in.
-My start-up business is not doing great, wondering how much MBA could help.
-Did okay on GRE except I ran out of time horribly on the math section.
-Planning on taking prep courses for GMAT if i decide to go down this path.

any advice, recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks
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by PrepMBA.AlexLeventhal » Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:08 pm
Chutch,

Between your GPA and your mix of jobs, you are currently going to have a tough time putting together a strong story for solid MBA programs. Of course your GMAT is a missing piece. I think that you should be most concerned about finding a job that fits you, and in which you can excel and grow. Your greenhouse job is probably a temporary position (and I know the economy is tough) but try your best to focus on getting that next job. If you do and stay two years there, you might start to be getting a bit old for MBA admission, but there are many quality programs out there that are part time or accelerated that have older average ages. Perhaps this was not the advice you were after, but I feel, if you want to get some type of MBA, that you need to focus. And I would avoid mentioning the screenplays:)
Alex Leventhal
Harvard MBA, 1998
Prep MBA Admissions Consulting
www.prepmba.com
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(323)424.3178

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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:44 pm
I think the overall question of whether you should go to business school is dependent upon whether you can better accomplish your goals after having completed the degree. I see undefined goals of entrepreneurship or management so advising you on whether to pursue an MBA is more difficult. If you feel your present entrepreneurial venture would benefit from the entrepreneurial resources of an MBA program then this would weigh your answer towards applying. Since UT has an excellent MBA program that might be a target school for you.

If your question is whether your background is sufficient to gain acceptance to a certain caliber of school that is a different question. I am sure your reason for having a lower GPA the one semester is excellent. The higher your GMAT score the more this score will substantiate this reason.

Good luck,
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

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by FutureWorks » Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:22 am
Hello Chutch

If you are aiming for top schools a score above 700 would be advisable. Your academics, beyond academics and work experience play a crucial role in determining your candidature so make sure you highlight it well. Start thinking what makes you unique and what's that 'hook' that will be key to your application. You might need to prove to the admission committee that your GPA won't be an issue.

If you can tell in your application about the skills that you gained at work and beyond in the areas you had scored low would put you in better position. You need to indicate a positive learning from your bad experience. If you took any extra classes or courses in the subjects that you didn't do well and highlight your zeal to learn and improve it could also improve your low GPA situation.

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