Advice needed!

[Suz]

Hi..Just as a brief background- before I plunge into my questions..I graduated from college last year and I have a years work experience.I am currently studying for my GMAT.I have three questions-

1) I was wondering whether applying for MSc Management program at London Business School/Oxford/LSE at this stage would make sense. Does this sort of degree clash with my MBA application later?Will ivy league schools question a degree like this or or will it work in my favor?

2)My undergraduate degree was for the duration of 3 years( from one of the best colleges in India). I understand that an applicant needs to have an educational equivalent of the american undergraduate degree- so do I need to do a Masters/ one more year of study to be eligible to apply for an MBA at HBS/Wharton?Stanford?

3)I got a First Division in College- but I don't know the GPA equivalent for it. What sort of a GMAT score should I be aiming for?

Thanks

[Jon@Admissionado]

1. It makes sense. If you apply now, you'll have two years experience when you go in. A bit on the low side, but if you really are looking for it now you can. As for the clash with MBA - it's up to you. You can certainly get two masters but that's a lot of time away from the work force. Some people prefer it, and there are certainly areas that are unique to each degree, but for other folks it's overkill with the education. I think for applying to an MBA later on it has both its advantages and disadvantages, the main disadvantage being that you have two years less work. But you do have more knowledge.

2. No.

3. As high as you can get

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

You should check the qualifications for each target program to determine whether a 3-year degree is sufficient for that program.

The suitability of an MSc Management degree depends to some degree on your post-MBA career path and your ability to gain entry into that field now. If your options are limited a top tier MSc Management program could be an excellent means to that end, however, for certain programs the MSc Management degree does diminish the value of an MBA. However, you would be qualified for certain one year programs like Kellogg's One Year Program (https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/pro ... ogram.aspx).

Good luck,

[Suz]

Thanks! Some colleges are a little vague with their requirements. However, Ill check my degree criterion at each college.

Regarding the Msc Management/Finance degree- I can safely infer that you're saying a years worth of work experience is more important for my MBA application than a degree like this? If it does potentially diminish the value of my MBA degree - and weaken my chances at an ivy league b school then I don't think I would want to apply.

Thanks for your inputs

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

If you are strictly evaluating your attractiveness as an MBA candidate, the right work experience would be worth more than having a previous Masters in Management degree.

[Suz]

Thank you so much for your invaluable advice

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

Glad I could help.