Important Question HELP! :'(

[tammybg]

Hey guys,

As I've said in previous posts I'm a recent college grad studying for the GMAT. I intend to apply in the Fall 2012.
I was planning to attend two MBA fairs in the next few months and needless to say, I will not have my GMAT scores yet.
I was feeling quite confident about going and finding out about schools before I read Pranav Amrute's blog.
In one of his entries he says that a HUGE turn off was that he overheard someone say he didn't have GMAT scores yet. He says he thought it made the person sound unprepared and not interested. I quote: "Another turn off is when a visitor says that she hasn�t taken the GMAT yet. The representatives then fail to gauge your level and hence fail to give good advice. It also shows that you are not that serious candidate among all others.".
I am fully aware that I don't have the GMAT so I was going to focus on questions about the program, the school, financial aid, etc (and I planned to clearly state that I knew I needed over 700 to get into the schools of my choice, this is not even a question).
My question is: should I not attend these events?
I am feeling very very confused right now. The last thing I want is for representatives to think I'm not serious about this and I definitely don't want to be the less serious candidate in the room.
I also have a one on one interview with one of the schools and I am attending an individual NYU event. Should I just not go? Are representatives going to frown upon the fact that I don't have the GMAT or any work experience so far?
Any advice? HELP!

[outreach]

read the below BTG articles
https://www.beatthegmat.com/mba/2010/08/ ... ter-part-3

i feel u should first do the research of the school that are going to attend the tour and then go to the stall..
try to be specific to ur questions...rep frowning not sure..read the above BTG article..hopefully it helps

[tammybg]

Thanks! I read it but I'm still hesitant.
The first fair is this Thursday and I'm still unsure whether to go or not. NYU, Dartmouth and Yale are attending and these are 3 of my target schools. Should I just go and try my best or are my lack of experience and GMAT just going to ruin my chances of making a good impression?
I kind of thought maybe they would see me as a younger "eager to learn about the programs and schools" person but I'm a little scared that they might just take it in a different way.
Anyone else care to give me advice?

[Jessica@VeritasPrep]

I think you should absolutely attend. You aren't applying this year (or even next year!) so there is no rush to take your GMAT. It isn't as if you are behind or unprepared. In fact, the idea that you are attending this type of event 2 years before you apply would show me that you are very focused and prepared and serious. It is great to do research now so that you know what you are up against going forward. This is a process as much for you as for the school. You need to find out which schools are right for you and I'd take every opportunity to do so. Also, the people you meet will meet with hundreds of applicants (if not more!) during the application season. Unless you do something incredibly foolish, they will not remember you in two years. And, on the other side, unless you are incredibly impressive, they probably won't remember you in a positive way either.

The positive for you is that you will learn something and you can refer back to this meeting in your applications in a few years (I first knew that Tuck was the school for me when I met with so-and-so at an MBA fair in 2010...).

Good luck, don't over the process and attend the fair!! Knowledge is power. Don't deprive yourself of the opportunity to learn more about your target schools!

[tammybg]

Jessica you have no idea how much you've helped! After your reply I will definitely be attending the fair. I will do my homework and research each of the schools I want to visit at the fair. I will also read each one of the blog entries on what questions to ask the representatives. If you have any further advice on MBA fairs I will definitely be grateful
I'm attending a second fair in October and an NYU individual event at the end of Sept.
I will let you guys know how it goes.
Thank you soo soo much!