Advice, please!

[thompstc]

Hi-

Just wondering what your advice might be:

-May 2007 graduate of top-ranked Int'l Business program (South Carolina) 3.9 GPA
-Double major: Int'l Business and Finance
-GMAT 640 (it's lopsided though--93 percentile V and baaad Q..not sure of the number right now)
-I'll be spending a year abroad with a fairly well-respected exchange program..international internship, but limited work experience otherwise.

Should I retake the test? What types of schools could I stand a chance to get in? The IMBA program at S. Carolina is an option at this point, but I'm kind of lost.

[Stacy Blackman]

Are you willing to work for a bit? I think you would be better off with some work experience. The trend towards early career applicants can be misleading because the successful ones do have internships and summer jobs that boost their resume.

I would retake the GMAT. Seems like you have the time and there is no downside.

[thompstc]

Waiting is certainly an option for me as well. I do have some internship experience, so I'm not sure if that changes things or not. I guess my biggest question is..are MBAs that go to grad school straight from undergrad successful in job searches? If so, what types of jobs do they typically fill?

[Amy]

Hi thompstc,

What do you mean by successful? I think it depends on what school they attend, and what the definition of success is. All schools have statistical information on recruiting (salary ranges, industries, etc) and I don't believe they are generally segmented by early career MBAs vs. "regular" MBAs.

Early career MBAs fill the same sorts of jobs as any other MBA: consulting, finance, marketing, etc. Levels and salaries may vary by industry and depending on what value the company may place on prior work experience.

Good luck!

Amy