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Ryan Ziemba
- Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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- Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 8:34 pm
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My question is whether a strong resume tightly targeted at the entertainment industry offerings of several MBA programs could help soften the blow of a sub-par GMAT score.
There are only a small number of schools with such specialized programs, namely NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, and USC Marshall, and each reports average GMAT scores between 680 and 715 (roughly). I've hit the 700 mark a couple times on MGMAT practice CATs however I take my official exam this Thursday and my last GMAT Prep score was a dismal 660. That came as somewhat of a shock and has forced me to think about adjusting my expectations.
A bit of information illustrating my direction thus far:
I am bent on pursuing an entertainment industry-focused MBA program and have plans to utilize it in the music business after I earn my degree. Given the current direction of the music business and it's power shift from record labels to management firms, I feel that such a degree will give me the tools I need to be especially competitive.
I have three years of corporate work experience in digital entertainment, production, and artist management. In addition, about 5 years ago I started a small music marketing and management agency that I use primarily to centralize any freelance projects I pick up. Beyond work experience I earned a 3.4 at a small New England liberal arts college (the type you go to if you get rejected from both Yale and Dartmouth). Since earning my B.A. I have also taken approximately 15 additional undergraduate courses in various aspects music business, entrepreneurship and marketing (nearly all As).
Assuming the worst case scenario, that my actual score is 660 when I take the test on Thursday, is there any reassurance that a well targeted application will encourage the admissions boards to lessen their emphasis on that darn test?
Looking forward to any and all feedback.
Best,
Ryan
There are only a small number of schools with such specialized programs, namely NYU Stern, UCLA Anderson, and USC Marshall, and each reports average GMAT scores between 680 and 715 (roughly). I've hit the 700 mark a couple times on MGMAT practice CATs however I take my official exam this Thursday and my last GMAT Prep score was a dismal 660. That came as somewhat of a shock and has forced me to think about adjusting my expectations.
A bit of information illustrating my direction thus far:
I am bent on pursuing an entertainment industry-focused MBA program and have plans to utilize it in the music business after I earn my degree. Given the current direction of the music business and it's power shift from record labels to management firms, I feel that such a degree will give me the tools I need to be especially competitive.
I have three years of corporate work experience in digital entertainment, production, and artist management. In addition, about 5 years ago I started a small music marketing and management agency that I use primarily to centralize any freelance projects I pick up. Beyond work experience I earned a 3.4 at a small New England liberal arts college (the type you go to if you get rejected from both Yale and Dartmouth). Since earning my B.A. I have also taken approximately 15 additional undergraduate courses in various aspects music business, entrepreneurship and marketing (nearly all As).
Assuming the worst case scenario, that my actual score is 660 when I take the test on Thursday, is there any reassurance that a well targeted application will encourage the admissions boards to lessen their emphasis on that darn test?
Looking forward to any and all feedback.
Best,
Ryan
