Poets and Quants

Admission Questions? Ask Our Expert

by Chioma Isiadinso

Chioma Isiadinso

I had been in the admissions business for three years at Carnegie Mellon University when I moved to Cambridge to take on an assistant director role at the Harvard Business School. From the open houses and information sessions to the countless phone calls that barraged our offices every day, one thing was clear: MBA candidates were stressed out about their applications. It’s safe to say that with rejection numbers in the 80-to-90 percent range at the best schools, applicants recognize that they are up against significant odds to get an acceptance letter from a top program.

I took away one important lesson from my ten years in admissions: The successful candidates are highly memorable. It wasn’t until I left Harvard and launched my consultancy firm, EXPARTUS, that it dawned on me that the successful applicants to business school had figured out what many consumer goods companies know too well: the importance of selling a value proposition to a customer. I authored The Best Business School Admissions Secrets, and now counsel MBA applicants to help them find the right value proposition to get into their dream schools. Some of my advice can be found here at Poets&Quants, including Understanding the MBA Admissions Cycle and GMATs and GPAs: What You Need to Know About the Raw Numbers.

In any case, I’ve agreed to help anxious applicants with difficult questions at Poets&Quants. No question is out of bounds. Worried about your undergraduate record? Concerned about your GMAT score? Not entirely certain where you should apply to get your MBA? Unsure of how to answer the essay questions? Wondering who you should ask to write your letters of recommendation?

Fire away. I’ll do my best to answer your queries.

Newer Comments →
  • Stephen Lee

    Hi, I am interested in applying to business school this cycle and am wondering if it is okay to have two recommendations from the same organization I worked for if the school requires 3 letters. After completing a bioengineering masters degree, I worked in global health consulting for two years and am now doing a year abroad in Rwanda working for a healthcare management NGO. Thus, I only have two work experiences from which to get my recs. Is it okay to get two strong letters from the consulting firm? Thank you!

  • http://crystalcyan.com Crystal C. Yan

    I’m 18 years old and about to be a freshman at Amherst College. Thinking about business school applications is still a few years down the road for me, but I was wondering if you could clarify how the process differs from undergraduate college admissions?

  • http://joshseo.net Joshua Seo

    Crystal, being 18, you shouldn’t worry about the MBA. Most MBAs (if not all) require/recommend at least 5 years of work experience before going for the degree. You’re probably looking at when you’re 26 or 27 (and many students actually are 30+). Concentrate on what you want to do after you get your undergraduate degree. The MBA isn’t for everyone nor does it guarantee pay raises. It’s a big time investment and isn’t for everyone. Enjoy your undergraduate years at Amherst.

  • Alex Wilhelm

    Hi Chioma,

    Thanks for offering your opinions and advice. I am a Naval Officer with 19 years of operational leadership experience. I’m planning my transition to the civilian sector upon reaching 20 years next spring. I’m seeking a full time MBA to provide a focused, vibrant, and practical transition education. Which programs do you feel would offer the best environment for an older student, with extensive leadership and management experience, but limited civilian business experience? I’ll be 42 at the desired time of entry into an MBA program. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks again.

    Alex “Kaiser” Wilhelm

  • Munna

    After attending a Wharton info session, the admissions committee member stated that I should get two letters of recommendations from supervisors in a professional capacity. I can utilize a former supervisor for one recommendation and I am loath to ask my current supervisor for the second letter of recommendation as it could jeopardize my chances for a promotion. I told the Wharton AdCom this and she said to get it from a colleague if necessary and explain it in the optional section. However, I felt uncomfortable with asking a colleague instead due to the same promotion as well as job security reasons. Is it ok to ask a director of a nonprofit with which I am a board member and have done significant work for the second letter of recommendation instead? Although she is not my professional supervisor, I have worked with her for a year personally and been with the nonprofit for three years.

    My other options are not that great: a peer that I worked with in an investment bank or a former peer/classmate and current MBA student who referred me to my current job.

  • RJ

    I’m an entrepreneur who started a business while in college. I graduated with three-year liberal arts degree and a 2.86 grade point average. I sold my sold business for $18 million, even after getting screwed by taking vulture capital. I scored 740 on the GMAT and now want an MBA so I can be on buy-side as a venture capitalist or in a private equity shop. Do I have a shot with a bad GPA? If yes, which school would you suggest fits the bill, given my situation.

    *Loving the green-tea sweater, you look like mocha mint ice cream*

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Munna,

    MBA boards understand the risk involved in alerting one’s supervisor to the fact that you are applying to business school. So as long as you explain your situation in the online application, you should be fine. Include in your explanation that you are not in a position to ask anyone within your group to avoid any backlash on your career. You are lucky that you have an alternative option, the nonprofit director and this could serve as a viable option. You should also consider a client that you have worked with in the past at your job. All the best with the application

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Alex,

    Congratulations on an extensive Naval career. The MBA offers a great transition and preparation for individuals seeking to move into the civilian sector. From my experience, I have noticed that those making this transition via a full time MBA program usually pursue it at about 28-33 years of age. Keeping in mind that the average age for top US business schools is about 27/28 years, you have to assess whether a part-time MBA program (which has more seasoned professionals) may be a better option. Also, worth considering is the career that you wish to get into post business school. Check out the MBA Podcaster topic: From the Military to an MBA: Focusing on Getting In & Why to Pursue an MBA
    http://www.mbapodcaster.com/MBA_MoreInfo/Military-MBA-GI.asp?iEpisode=92 for more perspective on this.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Crystal,

    Thanks for your question. I agree with Joshua that the MBA isn’t for everyone. You are 18, just started college, so yes, absolutely enjoy your college experience and live in the moment. But having said that, I would be remiss not to acknowledge that for many of the top business schools, there isn’t a set number of years of work experience. Some candidates come with two to three years experience, though the average tends to be closer to 5 years of experience. What you need to focus on is more about exploring what you love, your passion. Use summer internships, projects during the school, even independent study to really explore your interests. Seek out opportunities that will help you build your leadership and challenge you. These end up making for good essays but more than that, they build your character along the way.

    All the best!

  • Alex Wilhelm

    Chioma,

    Thank you for the information and the link. You highlighted one of my main concerns, the timing of my transition. I think the full time MBA offers the best opportunity to take some time to reflect and reinvent to some degree. I have peers that have managed to complete part time MBAs and it often seems like their time is too compressed with work and study. I’ve had plenty of overload experiences in my time with the Navy, so I think I’d prefer to have that full time program to minimize distractions.

    The post MBA career choice is really a tough question. That is really central to my interest in pursuing an MBA. I have some indication of business areas that I could pursue immediately, but I’m ready to invest a year or two discovering just what options I might have, given some well defined business skills. I’ve enjoyed career assignments that were outside of my comfort zone, so this notion of finding new challenges and building a new network is very exciting.

    This is a hard decision – but thank you very much for your thoughts. Great information in the podcast!

    Alex

  • aks

    Hi Chioma

    I am confused about my recommendations for Wharton and other top schools that ask for two letters only. I am getting one from my direct supervisor for the past 3 years. For the second one, I have a choice between – 1) an ex manager who hired me and oversaw my 8-9 month training period and then moved on to a much higher position.
    2) a client representative who i reported to for 2 high profile projects last year.
    Your thoughts?
    Thanks for your time.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/saisandeeppulavarthy/ Sai Sandeep

    I’m planning to apply for MBA study next year, entering in the fall of 2011.

    I have at present three-plus yrs of work experience and a GMAT score of 760. My academics aggregate around 75% and EC’s are decent. I’m expecting to major in marketing. I am unable to decide on what colleges to apply. I am keen on getting a scholarship and knowing about employment opportunities. I presently work in Business Development in Vizzitech Solutions in Hyderabad, India

    I’m planning to make a list with two safe schools, two medium, and two risky. But I wonder if this is the right approach?

    Can you suggest some colleges given my profile and interests in marketing? I am planning to apply to three colleges on the top list, looking at Yale, Kellogg, Michigan, NYU, UT-Austin, and Chicago-Booth. Can I consider these as risky or medium?

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/adiyellamraju/ ADITYA YELLAMRAJU

    How do business schools evaluate work experience?

    To sum up my work experience, I worked as a Business Development Associate for an entrepreneur who is an Exercise Therapist and Sports Science Specialist. That was for a period of 8 months. Later, I worked for a Consultancy that did rural development projects for the state and central government in India, as a project coordinator. Few of my responsibilities included marketing the organization, planning the projects, working with teams of people and overlooking the projects being done. This was for a period of 1 year. Later, I moved to my current job which is in a software firm, as a Marketing Executive, where I have been working from the last 6 months.

    Now, my question is:

    How do business Schools evaluate work experience? Most of the schools ask in their admissions page that they would like to see growth. It has been a little more than 2 years since I started work. Designation wise, I don’t think one would believe there is too much growth, but I have done a lot of quality work across different industries. How do you think the business schools would deal with that?

  • Rimpy

    Hi Chioma,

    I’m planning to apply to a full-time MBA program.
    I have a total seven years of experience in the software industry (India). My current designation is ‘Lead’ and I am managing a team of 12 engineers.
    I have 10 months of international experience (in London).
    I have a GMAT score of 750 (Q-49, V-44).
    I have decent (nothing extraordinary) academic record and extracurriculars.
    Although I have almost finalized the European schools where I want to apply, I am not able to decide on the U.S. schools.
    I want to apply to 4 U.S. schools, (two in round one and the rest in round two).
    My post MBA goals are to enter consulting or (back-up) technology (business development sales) sectors.
    Can you suggest some U.S. b-schools that would seem suited for my background?
    I am thinking of applying to Tepper, Kellogg, and McCombs. What are my chances there? I mean…are they safe, ambitious or reach schools?
    Thanks for your help!

    Regards,
    Rimpy

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi RJ,

    First of all, congratulations on your incredible success! Ok, with regards to the GPA issue, admissions boards evaluate your academic ability based not only on your GPA but also on what your major was, the school you attended and the GMAT score as well. Having a GMAT of 740 helps but it doesn’t mean you are out of the woods for very selective schools. What you need to do is demonstrate to the admissions board that you have grown/matured since your college experience (building a successful business certainly gives you some points there). But you want to make sure that the rest of your application does not reveal any flags that may call into question your maturity or ability to “stick it through”. You should also own the low GPA but then move on. As far as schools you should consider, I can’t tell you one particular school would be more receptive versus another. Rather, focus on all the great things you have going with your story and cast a wide net. Given your interest in VC/PE, obviously some of the popular schools come to mind (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and Columbia). But this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are many schools that will give you a great education and prepare you to continue your success beyond the MBA. All the best to you.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi AKS,

    You are in the enviable position that you have several people you can call on to support you as recommenders. The question you have to answer to determine the ideal person for the second recommendation is what he/she would say about you that the other person won’t be able to cover and vice versa. You should also look at the recommendation questions to get familiar with exactly the type of information the school is looking to your recommender to provide. Based on this, you have to determine whether the ex manager or client has the most meaningful examples that can reinforce the key messages you want the admissions board to know about you. Without being privy to the nuances of each of interactions/relationships with the two recommenders, my instinct is that the client recommendation could offer a different perspective than the ex manager’s recommendation (especially since you have a current supervisor who has a longer relationship with you).

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Aditya,

    You are right. Business schools look at work experience in terms of your growth. But it goes beyond that. They look at your decision process in choosing the jobs you have taken….they want to know that there is a strong sense of professional maturity guiding your decisions and not haphazard and flighty stints. So the first thing you will need to do as an applicant is help the admissions board understand your career decisions. Then you will need to make sure that you convey the new skills you have developed across each positions and the greater level of responsibility that you have been given. It’s also important to note that a short tenure in a job is worth addressing since it could be viewed as a red flag.

  • MGDB

    Dear Chioma,

    Thank you for offering your words of wisdom. I am currently working at an NGO in Washington, DC and am looking into joint degrees in international relations and management. The MA-MBA programs I’ve researched thus far are Wharton-Lauder, SAIS-Wharton and Tuft’s relatively new MIB program. While I see the value of the MBA in my workplace and in fields I’d like to pursue, I do not want to distance myself from the context of my field in foreign affairs and development.

    What advice would you have for those of us seeking to bridge these two worlds? In your honest opinion, are joint degree programs a practical choice, or are there ways to design an integrated IR-MBA curriculum in one program?

    Cheers,

    Monica

  • Jamiese

    I’m trying to apply to a top MBA Program for the fall 2011 school year. I’m concerned that my work experience isn’t comparable to others. I’ve worked as a TV reporter for little over a year, and now I’m teaching college English. I want to go to business school because I want to pursue the business side of media. Eventually, I want my own media group. All the jobs I’ve applied to are looking for a candidate with a MBA. I know an MBA degree is a step in the right direction careerwise. Should I be concerned that since I’m not coming from the traditional background as most MBA students I won’t be a worthy candidate for a top MBA program? Should I be concerned that I only have 2 years of work experience and the experience is in two different industries? I know admission representatives look at each candidate on a case-by-case basis, but I can’t help but be concerned, especially after looking at some school’s admissions profiles.

  • InQuestMBA

    Hello Chioma,

    Thank you for sharing your experience with aspiring MBAs.
    I am 29 year old and I have been working for 2 years as an Internal Auditor in the Cosmetics/ Perfumery industry, after a 3-year experience in a Big 4 (auditor). Until now, I mainly worked on process reengineering and a subsidiary implementation (Russia).
    I intend to move to Business development/ International business with a focus on emerging markets (BRIC and Africa). I initially thought of applying to a 2-year MBA but could not afford to leave the workplace for that long(assuming that I start in 1 year, I would graduate at 32). I passed the GMAT twice but barely improved my score: 590 to 640….

    I am interested in a truly global experience and I went through the one-year MBA programs websites and brochures. I found the Duke MBA Cross Continent and I am really interested : short-intense program in various locations with the opportunity to stay in the work place (8-week in class study sessions). Moreover, the b-school has a good reputation thanks to the standard 2-year program. The main drawback, apart from the cost (120K$) is the online portion that enables to keep a job: I don’t know the impact it would have on potential recruiters. I also looked at Kellog Insead and Goizueta one-year MBA, both full-time/ one year program with a much better reputation.

    Given my scores in GMAT and the fact that I am an international applicant (African female living in Europe): I would appreciate your advice about the most appropriate schools for me and strategy for me? Should I retake the test and target the 2012 intake? I ALSO know that a good tool would be know which companies heavily invest in BRIC markets and would interested in my profile. but I don’t know where to get the info.

    Thank you in advance for your advice,

    InQuestMBA

  • Rimpy

    HI Chioma,

    Any suggestions for my school suggestion?

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/frankmurcko/ Frank Murcko

    I live and work in the great city of Pittsburgh, and as I am sure you know from the time that you have spent here that the city has many great Universities to choose from. That is part of my part of my problem, how do I choose where I want to get my MBA from? Although I have never attended CMU I have had adjunct professor teach classes at the University I was attending and the impression that they left on me was very positive. They were so good that now 4 years later I can still remember most of what I learned in the class.

    Is CMU really worth the premium tuition? Are the programs at Pitt or Duquesne that much different? Saving money isn’t the most important issue for me, but tens of thousands of dollars difference is tuition is not chump change. I want the best education that I can receive, but I don’t want to just be paying for a name.

  • BlockedBrain

    Hi Chioma,
    I went to a top US public school with decent grades; have had two rather interesting job experiences in the asset management business with a few promotions in Asia and US over >5 years; have strong recommenders; and essays shouldn’t be a problem. But unfortunately I struggle with the GMAT. Highest score so far is 640 after 4 tries.
    Should I even bother applying if I want to get into a top 20 school? Do admissions staff throw out an application after a candidate tries the GMAT more than X times?
    Help!
    BlockedBrain

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Blocked Brian,
    I don’t know all the intricacies of your situation but here’s my two cents. If after 4 tries the GMAT is still at the 640 range then you are better off focusing on what you have control over. You don’t want to spend the limited time that you have chasing a few extra points that may or may not materialize. Your best bet is to focus on what you have control over. So maybe you are not the world’s best test taker. What else do you have in your arsenal of experiences that can set you apart from your competition? Since yoru academics were decent, the make or break of your candidacy could very well be your leadership impact and unique experiences/perspective that you can bring to the class. So the short answer is for you to go for your MBA dream. Caste a wide net and if there are compelling examples of leadership impact and interpersonal/global insights, you may well land more than one admission offer. We’ve certainly seen applicants with GMATs in that range gain admission to selective business schools. Let us know how it goes!

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Rimpy,

    Thanks for your question. My advice to you is to look at the career placement figures of the schools that you are targeting to see how they stack up with regards to placing graduates in consulting and/or technology roles. There are numerous factors that need to be taken into account in determining which business school would be the best fit for each person (region where you wish to end up, industry/career, teaching methodology, etc) so I’m not going to use this forum to promote one school or the other. Rather, I encourage you to do the homework required to begin to narrow down your school list. You mention Tepper, Kellogg, and McCombs, all fine programs. Do your home work on where their graduates are ending up, the types of firms that are recruiting them to ascertain whether it makes sense for you to apply to those programs.

    Poets and Quants has a series of MBA program comparisons which I think you will find quite useful given the detailed and specific elements of the programs that it covers.

    Best with the application process.

  • klughing

    HI Chioma,

    When should applicants move on from the GMAT to other parts of the application? Is it when GMAT is in the school’s 80% range? Assuming everything else is on par with the business school’s student profile (ex: 5 years work experience, 3.6 GPA, etc).

  • Tom

    Hi Chioma,

    I am currently a US internal medicine resident, with domestic medical education as well, that is interested in healthcare management. There are several questions that I have concerning obtaining the MBA; I am unsure whether I will undertake the part time or EMBA route so that I can maintain my clinical skill set and a salary. Outside of Wharton, what schools do you recommend for an individual with those career aspirations? Moreover, how heavily will admissions committee view terribly lackluster undergraduate performance versus excellence in graduate and medical school, with work experience. Any other advice you can provide will be appreciated.

    From,

    Tom

  • Tom

    Addendum:

    Apologies for this Chioma. What are your thoughts on EMBA versus part time MBA for someone like me?

  • cwatkins2005

    Hi Chioma,
    How much do internships weigh on the work experience area of an applicant? I am only a year out of undergrad, but I have been interning with Fortune 50 companies since high school, with strong ECs and a 710 GMAT, and currently work for Accenture. Will this enable me to keep up in the classroom?
    Also, how do schools determine their need for minority candidates? Is it just caucasian to non-caucasian applicants or is there more deliniation? Thanks

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hello CWatkins,

    Schools look at applicant’s work experience with an eye on the quality of the experience and not necessarily on the number of years of experience. You could have some one who has worked at a mundane job for 6 years with little growth and responsibilities while someone may have just two years of experience and that short time may have some impressive achievements within the job. For Early Career applicants, the internships play a bigger role since they have limited work experience. It’s hard to say whether the one year at Accenture plus the internships would be enough without knowing a great amount about your experiences. You may also reach out to the admissions boards at the schools you are considering to get their view. It is quite competitive so if you do not have really impressive achievements on the work front, you may be well served to hold off a year or so to build out those experiences.

    As for how schools view diversity, it is based on a myriad of factors including work experiences, life experiences, geographical diversity, and certainly gender and ethnicity. At the end of the day, schools want as many interesting and varied perspectives reflected in their classes.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hello Klughing,

    Concerning the GMAT, remember it is only one data point out of many that the admissions board uses in making their admission selection. A safe bet is to get your score as close to the school’s average score or higher and make sure that the verbal and quant are well balanced and at least above 80%. The AWA score can matter to a school like Columbia GSB so don’t ignore this part if you are applying to this school. For the most part, a 5 is considered fine at most schools. If in doubt, check with the programs you are applying to.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Frank,

    You raise a question that many applicants are struggling with: name brand with higher price tag vs lesser known brand and cheaper option. This is a personal decision that only you can make. I got into U of Penn for my masters and U of Pittsburgh. I made the decision at the time based on price/scholarship offering and went to U of Pittsburgh. Did I turn out ok? I’d like to think yes. Having said that, is there exceptional value in going to schools that have strong reputation in the market place? Absolutely. Research the faculty background, talk to students on the quality of instruction/classmates. Find out where alumni from the Tepper School are headed (especially those in your industry) and then do the same comparison for the schools you are considering. There is good information on this site on salaries post business school and the MBA debt burden that you will need to take into consideration in making your decision. Ultimately, an MBA is an investment in yourself and your education and goes beyond the first or second job you land. My two cents. Hope life is great in The Burgh!

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi InQuestMBA,

    The African female auditor with European (Russia) experience sounds interesting. You are right that the 640 GMAT is low but without knowing what you have done to prepare and considering the fact that you have moved up 50 points from the first try, it may suggest that you may still have room to move up. On the other hand, the reality may be that 640 is as good as it gets. Only you know the answer to that. Given where you are age-wise, you can consider applying this year but pushing app to round two, try one more time for the GMAT and if it goes closer to 700 then apply this year. The top European schools tend to have a ton more internationals. You should start by considering where you want to end up (region, industry, etc) and then in researching schools look at where their students are ending up. Spend some time on the schools’ career website since it often contains information on the information you are looking for.

    As for online vs on site MBA programs, it depends on what you want to get out of them. My experience is that more traditional firms in consulting, banking, consumer goods may have more of a bias towards traditional MBAs (one or two year programs) over online ones. You may also want to consider a part time MBA from a well regarded program which will allow you to keep working if there is a program close to where you live.

    All the best.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Jamiese,

    If there isn’t something driving you to go now, you may want to stay an extra year or so and beef up your experience. Two jobs in two years may not be enough to stand out in the competitive pool, especially because the two things are a) unrelated—teaching and TV reporter, and b) a tougher sell to a business school. That’s not to say that reporters and teachers aren’t getting admitted to business schools. They are. But one would question why the English teacher job if your goal is to own your own media group. What are you doing outside of work that lends itself to your overall goal? Let’s say you have a small media company you started on the side, you spend every free moment trying to grow it, you have some projects under the belt you can point to, then you may be able to build a story around that. But if there isn’t evidence of genuine passion for the media entertainment industry besides one year as a reporter, it will be a tough sell from my vantage point. At the end of the day, MBA boards are considering what each candidate will bring to the program to enrich the rest of the cohort. This may be a situation where you hold off for a couple of years and build up the experience in or outside of work to give you compelling materials to sell your story. I hope this helps. All the best.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Monica,

    I happen to have worked with both an MBA and Public Policy program and see great value in both programs. My personal opinion is that I’ve seen MBAs successfully transition into doing public policy work and (assuming they took a bunch of classes and pursued such interests through internships and other steps) without doing a joint degree program. For folks who have the MPP/MPA, my general sense is that it isn’t as easy a transition to the private sector/for profit enterprises without the MBA. Take all this with a grain of salt as this is one person’s opinion and my sample size isn’t robust! If you opt to go for both programs, you will have to convince the admissions board that your career goals warrant a dual degree, and that course work alone from the program won’t be enough. Ultimately, it comes down to you and your unique circumstances. If you are sold 100% on the IR/policy track then stick with an MPP/MPA option and take a ton of business classes as electives to round out the skills you are looking for. If you envision a career that would straddle both sectors, then the joint degree may be worth it in the end. All the best!

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hello Sai,

    Your strategy of hedging your business school plans is a smart one. Keep in mind that it’s not simply looking at the acceptance rates of each program but also making sure that there is a fit between what you want to do and what the school offers. If you have an interest in something that the school doesn’t offer, then your admission chances are zero because the program would likely not want to admit a candidate who won’t be able to get a job after graduation. I don’t make recommendations of schools applicants should apply to in this forum. There are schools that are well known for Marketing, you mention some of them here…Kellogg, Ross. Having said that, can someone go to Wharton and get an excellent Marketing preparation? Yes. As far as school numbers, 6 schools is more than enough. You may want to add a couple of schools that are slightly less competitive to hedge your bets.

    Best with the application.

  • InQuestMBA

    Hi Chioma,

    Thanks for the quick and concise reply. As you mentioned, I might have some room for improvement, if I give the GMAT a third try.. I will follow your advise on the part-time MBA option and make a search on the best b-schools for me. However, after leaving for some years in Europe, I was intersted in a US experience: I will look further in the part-time programs in the US that might be available.

    Thanks again,

    InQuestMBA

  • Skylar

    Hi Chioma,
    I would be considered a “poet” according to the title of this blog. I work in public relations for restaurants, with a BA in communications from the University of California at Santa Barbara. I have always worked in hospitality. My experience includes being a manager and event planning for a James Beard-winning restaurant as well as doing sales and marketing for hotels. I have four years of work experience. I hope to get an MBA so I can have a better background in terms of finance, strategy and marketing and most likely would like to continue PR and marketing for hospitality focused companies. Two questions for you: 1. I got a 500 on my first try on the GMAT and ended up getting a 600 on my next try (V41, Q32) and a six on the essay both times, I have a 3.48 GPA Do you think I should consider taking the GMAT again? During practice tests, I never got more than 650. I was thinking I may have to look into a part-time program vs. full time as a result. 2. Do you have any suggestions for a marketing program that is more creative vs. all hard numbers? I want to continue doing what I love, but it would be great to have a better business understanding of strategy. International is not out of the question and I would prefer an MBA to hospitality school. Thank you for your advice!

  • NS

    Hi Chioma,

    I am planning to apply for MBA programs beginning in 2011. I have a GMAT score of 750 and a GPA of 9.2/10. I have 6 years of work experience in the semiconductor industry with a single company. Most of my work has been related to research and development. I believe that I have grown well in my career, but since the industry and the work is very much related to technology and R&D, the growth parameters are a bit different. The progress is more like you grow from being a engineer, to a be a team lead handling independent R&D projects. You demonstrate leadership, but it’s more focused toward solving technical challenges. People who can recommend you know more as technical talent and an asset to the company.
    Given this, I am a bit concerned about my choice of schools and the way I should project myself in my applications. I do understand that I should preferably keep away from technical jargon in my resume and essays as I am applying to a business school and that I need to project more of my career progression and things which I want to do.
    I want to know if being from a too technical background for six years can be a drawback. Should I be more careful with my application and the way I project myself? I would really appreciate your feedback on this.
    I have another question on the time of application. Is there any disadvantage of applying in round two for top schools like Kellogg, or should I target round one. I feel that I may be a bit pressed if I try for the first round deadlines. Also, can you throw some light on how to spread applications over the differently ranked schools.

    Thanks,
    NS

  • April

    Hi Chioma,
    I plan to apply for an MBA this year and hope for some advice. I have spent 10 yrs at a single firm post my engg. college. I have progressed 3 grades higher during this period with sufficient professional leadership experience in the last 7 years. My problem is about how to address this perceived weakness in my profile of having not changed jobs (although I have changed projects). My reasons for not changing jobs were personal. I had lost a close family member after a period of illness and I wanted to stay close to my family, apart from the fact that I was heavily invested in my career with my current employer (expected promotions, stock options). I had explored and even received job offers but I never crossed the bridge due to the above reasons. Do you suggest I do not explain my personal reasons in essays nor in the interviews but solely highlight my achievements?
    How uncompetitive do you believe this weakness is and how do you think schools ranked 11-25 perceive this as a weakness?

    Thanks
    April

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi April,

    Thanks for your email. The admissions board will likely wonder why you have stayed at the same job, especially if there hasn’t been very compelling roles to justify doing so, at least based on the resume. So expressing somewhere in the application why you have remained in the same job may make sense. You will find that there are two opinions on this. Some people may argue that bringing it up may shine a huge flashlight on it while others may opt for my recommendation. If I saw a story like that, and without the data about family obligations influencing your decision, I may draw the conclusion that you may not be as driven to “go after” new challenges, etc. And that may make me uncomfortable recommending you for admission. You also would be well served to focus on your accomplishments and impact since this is the tangible thing that you can point to for them to use to assess your candidacy.

    Without knowing your motivation for business school, your other accomplishments outside of work, the academics/tests, what you want to do ultimately, it is tough to speak to whether you will be competitive or not.
    It’s not a bad idea to attend some of the info sessions that they schools offer to get a sense of how they would view your candidacy. And ask them about the part time and EMBA options as well since this may be a viable plan as well.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi NS,

    Applicants with technical backgrounds get admitted to business schools. You have to convince the admissions board that your training is relevant to where you want to go career-wise, that it can enrich the program to have that particular viewpoint in the class, etc. Agree with limiting the technical jargon and showing the impact you have had within your six-year experience. The make or break, as I see it, would be why does an R&D engineer want an MBA and how does that tie into your career objectives. If you can connect the dots effectively and make a strong case for this, you should be ok on that front.

    Round 2 is perfectly fine. I actually wrote a blog titled The Case for Applying Round Two on this same topic: http://mbaadmissionsecrets.com/mba-admission-blog/. Bottom line, apply when you have the strongest application and round two is fine. Not round three, though!

    5-6 schools is a good number. It’s not enough to simply look at admission rates, though that’s a good starting point. Try to get a sense of the profile of the class as that will also help you determine whether you would be a fit at that school. Ok, rankings can help in managing things from this end….some schools in top 8 (1-2 schools), some in the top 8-15 school (2 or so schools) and then possibly one school outside of that range. Again, it is a personal decision you will have to make as you investigate schools better. No hard and fast rule on this.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Skylar,

    I would give the GMAT one more go through if you think the score could improve. An MBA, even those with Marketing emphasis have hard quant elements because you would still have to take Finance/Accounting courses as part of the core curriculum. In fact, going for an MBA instead of a masters degree in Marketing would help you build out the skills you don’t have, shore up your quantitative skills, etc. So worth sticking it out for your goals. The question is what have you done to prep for the GMAT? If it is self study, then maybe it’s time to invest in a course or tutor. If you have done everything and there isn’t anything else you can do, then try focusing on everything else you have going for you and write essays that are outstanding and have recommendations that rock. And at the very least invest in taking some quantitative classes to strengthen this area. Part time programs are an option but you have to look at what you want to achieve with the MBA and also I don’t automatically assume that a lower GMAT will keep you out of the running for the full time MBA program or that part time MBA programs are always very lenient on low GMAT scores. It depends on everything else going on with your application. Don’t give up on your dreams and give that GMAT another shot! Best to you.

  • plasticplants

    Chioma,
    Thanks so much for your insight on the admissions process and the amount of time and thoughtfulness you obviously include when answering questions.

    Background:
    Private school in Texas – it has a very good reputation here, but not sure how well known it may be nationally:
    B.S. Business (concentrations in accounting and finance)
    B.A. Economics (3.65 undergrad gpa)
    M.S. Accounting (3.9 gpa)
    GMAT: 690

    Currently a CPA, and work at a Big 4 accounting firm in audit. Have progressed to the senior role and supervise audit teams, and have worked on both public and private clients in a variety of industries. Been here since I got my master’s, so I would have almost 5 years of work experience when I would start the MBA program. Involved in some extracurriculars. Post MBA want to go into corporate finance.

    My top school choices are: UT, Yale, UCLA, Rice. I’m doing round 1, and will be doing class visits at all. Could you comment on the possible likelihood of acceptances? I am also considering using the optional essay at my top school choice to basically describe how much I want to be there, all the visits to campus I’ve done, etc (basically a love essay). Is this a good strategy, or would they think it’s phony or not care how much I want to be there?

    Also, I’m thinking of getting the two letters of rec both from supervisors at my current employer. Is there a disadvantage to not getting one elsewhere?

    Thanks in advance.

  • akr

    Hi Chioma,

    I have close to 10 yrs of experience in IT (last 2 years as a manager), GMAT score – 630 (with a month’s preparation, so I am going to take it again). I have seen that most schools have an average age of 28-29 and that age is a factor in admissions. Is this really a big factor? Any advice on how to approach my essays to counter this factor?

    Thanks,akr

  • Rohit

    Hi Chioma,

    I am planning to apply to B-Schools this year. I am an engineer from India’s premier institute with a GPA of 2.95. I took the GMAT in 2007 and scored 690 (90 in Quant and 70 in Verbal) with 4.5 on the AWA. I am also a CFA Level III candidate. I have four years of experience in the IT sector (one year in New York). I quit my job to help my brother set up a manufacturing startup. I am currently handling 50 suppliers, 200 components and 150 employees. I am also learning Mandarin to help communicate with my Chinese counterpart. I intend to expand my business, and I wish to find a spot in a top 10 B-School. My question for you at this point is this: Should I concentrate on my application essays or invest time in preparing for the GMAT again?

  • Keith

    Hi Chioma,

    Wow, judging by the number of replies it looks like you may have bitten of more than you can chew!

    Here’s my deal. I’m 2 years out from B school, and I need advice. I graduated from a large state school in May of 2008. I had two months between graduation and my first day of “real” work, so I studied for and took the GMAT. I got a respectable 730. My college GPA was a less-than-respectable 3.2. The GPA could probably use some context. I was in college for 5 years. I did a one-year co-op, which accounts for the extra year. I was very involved in my fraternity for 3 of those 5 years. During those 3 years, my average GPA around 2.7. During the 2 years I was less involved, my GPA was 3.6-ish. There’s obviously some correlation here. How do I spin this? Despite the less-than-awesome GPA, I managed to land a job with one of the bluest of the blue chip tech companies as a technical consultant. I’m 25 now. I really have nothing in the way of leadership/volunteer experience. I’d like to start business school fall 0f 2012. Given that I’m 2 years out, what should I be doing to strengthen my profile/story? As I see it, there are 2 apparent gaps – my undergrad GPA and my leadership experience. What are the best ways to address those shortcomings? Should I take some night classes? Volunteer at the local soup kitchen?

    I also want to add that the schools I’m most interest in are (in order) Dartmouth, Duke, UVA, UNC. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I have no chance at the top schools…and likely no chance at Dartmouth and Duke.

    Thanks for taking the time to read/reply to all the posts here. Your services are definitely appreciated!

  • NS

    Hi Chioma,

    Thanks a lot for your valuable insight. Your feedback on this forum is a great help to prospective MBA students.

    Thanks,
    NS

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    NS,

    It is my pleasure. Our goal is to create as much transparency to the process but to also equip applicants to engage fully with the admissions boards of the schools they are interested in to become better educated about the application process.

  • http://poetsandquants.com/members/chioma-isiadinso/ Chioma Isiadinso

    Hi Keith,

    Let me take a step back to clarify how applicants should assess their overall package. Business School’s are looking for several things in candidates. But if you had to really pin it down, there are three categories to look at:
    1) Academic ability/intellectual aptitude: can you do the work? Will admitting you come back to haunt them if you flunk out? GMAT is looked at and with that is a careful scrutiny of your GPA. Schools vary in academic rigor, the challenges of a Mechanical Engineering major is taken into account over an “easier” major, etc. Trends in the GPA are also considered: better to start off weaker and end stronger than vice versa. Though being in the latter category doesn’t mean you are out of the running! Key thing is to identify the gaps, “own it” and move on and show/share how you have other evidence that points to your being a strong candidate worth “investing in”, so to speak. GMAT is also an interesting one because there are people who will have a 620 GMAT or in that vicinity who will get into many top schools. Yes, it’s not a myth. It is true. Also there are people with GMATs of 780 and GPAs of 3.8 who won’t get into any of their top schools. What does this mean, then? It comes down to other factors in the evaluation process. So with your case, the 730/3.2 doesn’t tell the admissions board too much about you without weighing in other parts of your story. Which leads me to the next category of evaluation: your leadership.
    2) Leadership ability, potential is huge for all top business schools!!! Think of leadership less about formal titles and positions held but look beyond that to identify situations that have emerged where you have had an impact on a person, process, product. They are also looking for a natural tendency to lead, step up, see a need and take action. I’m amazed at how many people underestimate their leadership impact by focusing only on the formal assignments where they are the designated leader. Go beyond that and you may be surprised by what you find. Consider the 3 Cs of leadership when going through your leadership history: College, Career, and Community Service. Without knowing the details of your leadership footprint, I can’t comment on whether it’s too little to keep you out of the running for top schools. To your question of timing, use the next 12-18 months to really build out your leadership both at work and community service. But authenticity is key! You can’t just grab something, like Soup Kitchens, and start doing that. It has to be connected to what you genuinely care about and should fit in with your brand. One of my passions is helping support orphan kids. It matters a great deal to me. Why? I have a personal story where as a child it was normal for my mom to take me on Sundays after church to visit our local orphanage. As a 7 year old, it left a huge make on my life. So it is only natural that I would spend all my free time the past few weeks to help plan a fundraiser run in my park to raise money for orphans in Zambia and Vietnam. You have to choose what is in your heart, find activities that connect the two and do it with passion. That is what wins you “points” with the admissions board. Not just randomly grabbing ideas off thin air.
    3) Your uniqueness: The last category is what I call your uniqueness—your brand! We each have different experiences, personally and professionally that have shaped who we are. The admissions board cares about not just your achievements and what you have done (they have your resume for that plus 2-3 recommendations that will hopefully sing your praises) but they are interested in drilling down, understanding who you are. This is where your self awareness can set you apart from majority of your competition. Don’t just focus on what you have done but focus on telling them why and how it has shaped/changed you. Doing this is what wins you a coveted spot in your dream school. So I say all this to say, I won’t necessarily count you out of your dream schools. It comes down to how you manage all of these three factors. All the best to you.

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