PT vs FT

[ketnet1]

Hi,

Please let me know if PT is less competitive and easier to get into (with a low gpa) than it is for FT? In addition, since the gmat score requirements are lower for PT, does schools put more emphasis on the years and quality of work experience? (ie. PT favors people with more years of work experience, with promotions, and who has a job when they apply for PT) Currently I am unemployed but plan to apply for PT programs.

With a lower gpa, who (ie. the school) should I contact to help me best decide what classes to take and quality of class (ie. community college or UC extention) to make up for the lower gpa?

What's the general time frame people give their reccomenders to write the rec. letters and how far in advance should you ask? Is 3 weeks too rushed?

Thank you in advance.

[Cindy Tokumitsu]

Hello,

Generally part-time programs are less competitive than full-time ones at the same school. But not necessarily by a great deal; the top-notch PT programs, such as NYU Langone, are still quite competitive.

It's not so much that the programs want you to have more experience in terms of length of time, but for PT programs they know you will be bringing your day-to-day work experience into the classroom, so they want to make sure that it's substantive and at a certain level where you can contribute. Hence, being without work might be a negative factor, unless you are doing something else that you can show will enable you to contribute equally.

If you are interested in taking classes to boost your chances (a great idea), you can get helpful input from an MBA admissions consultant or from the schools' admissions offices - the latter may vary in level of willingness to discuss, but interacting with the adcoms will help you understand the programs - and in my humble opinion they should be willing to give you a listen.

The ideal time frame for recommenders varies, but I'd say three weeks would be good. If you leave too much time, it gets overlooked, and too little is also a problem. It also depends on the particular person and his/her situation.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com

[ketnet1]

Hi Cindy,
Thanks for the reply! Another question in mind is that if I want to apply to the PT program in L.A. (Southern California) (for example, USC) but currently work in the Bay Area (Northern California), should I try to find a job in L.A. first before I apply for the PT program? Would this improve my application and chances of getting in "or" it does not matter that much and the adcom (ex. USC) will understand that if they accept me I will be willing to move to L.A. and find a job there.

Basically, if one applies for a PT in another city in which one does not work in, then would this be a concern to the school? Or is it OK to continue to work in current location and apply to that PT. Thanks in advance!