Need help with school selections (Long! Sorry!)

[MoeLuvsMoney]

Hi All-

First off, I am not attempting to get into a top program. While I envy all of you and deep down wish I could attend a top 15, I don't think it is in the cards.

Vitals:
GPA - 3.16
Undergrad: Business Admin -Mktg/Econ from a relatively unknown state school. Great program but very small.
GMAT - Sitting next month hoping for a 500-580
Work Exp - 3 years - Multiple promotions

Situation:

I have wanted to get my MBA even since I graduated. About a year after I started thinking about the GMAT, bought the books, ect. Then the world went down hill and I have been putting all of my effort into work. Successfully avoiding 3 rounds of layoffs, taking pay cuts, ect ect ect. Right, we have all been there.

Work has calmed down a bit and I have been scrambling to make Round 3 & 4 deadlines.

School Selections:
1. University of Colorado - Boulder (Leeds) -- Ranked
2. University of Denver (Daniels) -- Regionally ranked private school
3. University of Colorado - Denver -- Unranked
4. University of Colorado - Colorado Springs -- Unranked

All are AACSB accredited but the gaps between "well known" and "where did you get your MBA?" are large.

I am in a big hurry to get into school for the Fall 2011 start and part of me thinks that I will go where ever I am accepted. Meaning school 3 or 4.

Conversely, I want the "brand name" school b/c I do not want to stay in Colorado for much longer. Limited industry out here = limited opportunity.

I am not very confident that my rushed Round 3/4 application will get me into school 1 or 2.

The Question:
Do I stay in a job I hate for another year while attempting to raise my stats for schools 1 & 2??
OR
Take an acceptance letter for school 3 or 4 and get on with my MBA.??

Any advice is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time and sorry for a long post!

-MLM

[Ttronn]

You answer your own question in this post. By saying that you want out of Colorado I'd say that basically means you'll be remaining at the job you hate while trying to raise your scores (assuming you score in the range you suspect on the actual GMAT).

One thing I would ask however is, do you know where you want to go when you leave Colorado? If you've got that question sorted out I'd suggest applying to schools in that area instead of the Colorado programs. Even the two more prominent of the four programs you listed are decidedly regional and will make moves (especially long ones) very difficult as the brand name will not travel far.

I'd seriously consider taking a step back and not even bothering to apply this cycle. You really need to ask yourself some important questions like: Where do I see myself in five years? In what field? In what industry? Which schools are ideal for my needs once I've decided on where I'd like to work post-MBA? And what GMAT score will I likely need to get admitted there?

I'd say that you've still got a ways to go before you're ready to apply. Rushing through applications and sending them in very late in the cycle is not the best way to attack this process. I know another year seems like a long time, but its not. Attending a school that you aren't happy with, one which doesn't allow you to leave the region post-grad, is not going to be a great experience for you. Remember, you can only do an MBA once, make sure that you are certain the school fits with you before attending. Its an expensive endeavour but one that should be very stimulating, you don't want to ruin that experience by settling for "whoever will let me in".

I strongly advise you to slow down and take the summer to really study hard for the GMAT and ask yourself those important personal questions before sending in applications for Round 1 next fall, giving yourself a much stronger chance to get admitted by a better program.

[Kaneisha Grayson]

MoeLuvsMoney, Ttronn gave you some beautifully worded and wise advice. I agree with everything he said. I would also add that you have overlooked two other options besides rushing to apply R3 and staying at a job you hate: 1) You could seek out a job in a new state where you want to live, and 2) You could seek out a new job you like better in Colorado.

It sounds like you've lived in Colorado for a long time, so you've likely built up a strong network of people in your professional and personal life. You should strongly consider doing some reflection upon the type of job you would enjoy more than your current one (the book StrengthsFinder 2.0 can help you with that), and then pursue opportunities in that field.

Rushing to apply to and attend a fairly regional business school in a state where you know you don't want to live afterward is digging yourself deeper into a hole that you are already trying to claw your way out of.

You posted this awhile back, and I'd be interested to know what you end up doing. However, I would encourage you and anyone else reading this that is in a similar situation to not jump into just any ole MBA program. Like Ttronn said, you want to make sure it's a good fit, because you do only do it once (or that's the hope anyway).

I hope that you get clarity on a job that you would like more and then go pursue that!

Kaneisha

[MoeLuvsMoney]

Ttronn/ Kaneisha,

Thanks for the advice. It appears that I will not make my target score on the GMAT this round anyway, so problem solved.

On the new job topic - Not sure if you have looked for work in the last 2 years, but it is very difficult. Unemployment in Denver is over 9% and I feel fortunate to have survived 3 rounds of layoffs and my business unit being sold. With the recent Chapter 11 filings of companies like Boarders and Ultimate Electronics (a CO company) I don't think we (as an economy) are out of the woods just yet.

Again, I thank you both for the advice. I guess I just needed confirmation of what I already knew.

Best,
MLM