Dear DWBHLW,

You are currently doing all of the right things to build the foundation for a competitive future MBA application. After graduating from your bachelor's program, you want to continue on the same track by earning high marks in the graduate real estate program, continuing to perform well in internships/part-time work, and being involved in your community. The main opportunity you have to strengthen your future application is to seek out leadership opportunities at your job and/or community organization to gain leadership experience. Likewise, scoring well on the GMAT will be beneficial. After the graduate program, working for a couple of years is a good strategy, as full-time, professional work after your degree is completed is preferred. Also, you will be expected to provide a rationale for why you need the MBA in addition to the master's in real estate. Working might help you to better articulate how both degrees are important for you to achieve your future career goals. Having said that, if you feel you can articulate why you need the MBA (and why immediately after the master's, so with no full-time work experience), then you shouldn't rule out an application at that point in time. You do have some time to think about it--see where you are and what your opportunities are like two years from now. Keep up the good work!

Best of luck,
Lisa

Dear switters,

1. Should I work for a private company to broaden my experience base and skills, or if I stay federal will it negatively impact my application?
2. Would an excellent military career (5.5 years) and recommendations help make up for the undergrad GPA, or should the essay focus on the undergrad experience (i.e. mistakes, acknowledgement, correction, performance since then)?
3. Are some schools more military friendly than others?
Where you take your career path, private company/military/federal government, should be determined by what makes the most sense for you and your career goals. If you feel working for a private company will offer you more opportunities in the long run or better professional development, then that might be the route to go. However, you might feel you have similar opportunities in the federal government. In that case, it is a matter of what makes the most sense for you at each point in time an opportunity arises. Working for the federal government or the military is not a negative in any way. Business schools and other employers are not so much concerned with where you work; they care about what you do in your jobs--did you add value? contribute to the organization? what are your accomplishments in your positions? what skills have you gained/developed? how will your experience/skills translate to the opportunity available?

While a successful career and glowing recommendations can help balance a low GPA, they do not demonstrate academic aptitude. Your GMAT score is an indication of academic aptitude, so scoring well on it will further mitigate the GPA. I do encourage you to take advantage of an optional essay or additional information section to address your GPA and make a case for how your academic performance in business school will be different.

Most business schools welcome military applicants. While some might have campuses or environments that are more military friendly than others, perhaps even more resources, there are no schools who see military experience as a negative. If the culture of the school, environments that are more supportive of the military, is key for you, then I encourage you to do your research, visit the campus and ensure you are targeting those programs. Talk to current students, particularly other veterans, to get a perspective of the culture in that sense.

4. Given the long time line I have it is likely I will have the time and money to apply early and visit each of the schools in the effort to convince them that they are my first choice. Is this suggested, or should I keep it to five or so schools.
5. How early is too early to start attempting to contact the admissions personnel or make other networking connections at these schools?
In my opinion, it is never too early to start doing your research. However, I would suggest keeping actual visits to the 2 years prior to when you want to start. That way, you will most likely establish a rapport with the admissions people that will be there when you submit the application and hear about the program from the students experiencing it close to when you plan to enter. How many schools you decide to visit is really up to you--what your resources are and how important it is to you to visit all of the schools you are targeting.

6. My eventual goal is CEO of a fortune 500 company. If I am unable to get into a top 20 school is this still a realistic goal?
Absolutely. YOU determine your career path...not where you go to school.

7. When you purchase admission advice and test guidance (from your company or others) is there a fee per school applied to, or is it a flat fee?
It varies by the consulting firm. For Stacy Blackman, we offer services on either an hourly basis or as a comprehensive package priced in a flat fee based on the number of schools. Our website has detailed information on pricing and you can also request a free consultation when you are getting ready to start working on your applications.

8. Should I submit a sample of my coursework from my M.A. or thesis? While the thesis is not yet written I will probably focus on globalization and security.
9. Finally, I have an alternate plan of working in Europe (preferably Germany, France, or Switzerland) and attending business school there. Will this overseas experience and language proficiency give me a good shot if I cannot make it into a top tier school?
Most schools discourage writing samples and published articles from applicants as they get enough to read from the essays, recommendations and other application pieces. Occasionally, you might come across a school who does ask for supplemental materials where your thesis might apply though.

There are many great business schools in the EU and UK with global recognition. For some, you are required to have fluency in at least one other language, so you will want to check the requirements of any program you are considering. Whether or not these schools are a good option for you is a question only you can answer. You will want to evaluate them as you would any other MBA program you are looking at as a possibility. Does the school have the curriculum you seek? the resources and programs? a culture you feel comfortable in? the industry and alumni connections? If the school does, then it is a viable option.

Best of luck,
Lisa