What do you think my chances are of getting into top 20 MBA program? Top 10?
I have found other posts helpful so curious what you guys think about my profile in getting into a top 10 or top 20 program.
GMAT: 660/5 AWA
GPA: 3.7 (not that great of a school)
Extra-Curics: Not great
Work Experience: 3 years as IB analyst
Any thoughts? Thanks for the insight.
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Based on your scores and grades, a top 20 is very realistic. Bear in mind with ‘Top 10′, there is a larger difference between #1-3, and #10, than there is between 10 and 20. I wouldn’t worry about the extra-curriculars.
That being said, I think you have what it takes, my recommendation would be to take those top 10-20 and start looking at what concentrations you are interested in, and where each particular school has an overall reputation for excellence.
Your GMAT is too low for an elite MBA program. For a top 10, I’d want you scoring in the 700s. For top 10-20, you’re still kind of low. Did you prep? If not, can you prep and retake?
For the good schools in the top 40-20 range, maybe maybe. Your GMAT is a bit low for many of them as well, but not so far out of their range that you might not get in. It really depends on the school, and on what else you’re bringing to the table. But the schools in the 40-20 range are realistic targets. Have backups as well, though.
And… when you say your school wasn’t that great of a school, what do you mean by that? If it was a tier 1 or 2 college, you’re good, no worries. If it was a tier 3, you’re a maybe, but if your GMAT is in their ranges, they’ll probably let you in, not a problem. If a tier 4 or lower, then that may be an issue, unless your GMAT rocked their socks.
You can get a copy of the US News and World Reports grad school rankings magazine. They list the top MBA programs and show their average GMAT and GPA scores.
Well, your GPA is good, regardless of the quality of the program, (though it’d help to know your major). Everything else, though…you’re on the lower end of the preferred work experience range, so you’d better have some reasonably solid accomplishments to show for those three years. Your GMAT is below average for a top program: those scores tend to be in the 700s. (If your quant score is above the 80% threshold, though, you might be able to make up for it with your essays.) And obviously the lack of strong extracurriculars won’t help.
Based on what’s here, I’d say wait another year or two, get those scores up, start doing some volunteer work or something that shows an interest in community involvement, and then try. But if you’ve got a really strong reason for wanting to go now (hint: wanting to ride out the recession doesn’t qualify) and something that’ll distinguish your profile, go ahead and give it a shot. The worst that happens is you’re out the application fees and you have to reapply later.