Mr. Automotive Strategy

I really like the range of schools you are considering from Kellogg to Indiana, with your first choice being Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business. I have no doubt whatsoever that you will be getting admits from at least half or more of your consideration set. The key here is making sure that your practice tests put you in the same range or better when you actually sit for the exam. The average GMATs are your target schools range from a high of 732 at Kellogg to a low of 674 at Kelley. Tepper’s average is 690 and the school is accepting 41.5% of its applicants these days. It would be a great place for you to earn your MBA. The school’s new campus is sensational and there’s a really great vibe on campus among students and faculty. Your work experience is impressive and it’s at a well-known Fortune 100 company so you are super solid there. If you can hit a 670 (your low range on the practice tests) I think your odds of acceptance at Tepper easily exceed 50%. It’s worth noting here that as much as I hate to say it you will increase your chances of a significant scholarship at several of your schools if you get a GMAT score of 700 or above. You’re getting in so get ready.

Hi Mr. Automotive Strategy! This is Talon Rindels, Sr. Admissions Consultant at The MBA Exchange and fellow Minnesotan – thank goodness it is feeling like Spring might come early lately! While my body works to thaw out from the Winter, my eyes must not be working right yet though… did I read this right that your impressive work experience has occurred all while going to school Full Time?!? While I’m not even certain how all this is possible, it is something that’s really going to make adcom bite – if that doesn’t demonstrate tenacity, I don’t know what does! While your GPA is not the highest, it sounds like you have a solid story as to why this might be – you’ll just have to make sure to tell it in the right way. Assuming you do (and also attain a GMAT score in-line with practice tests), I’d place my bets on you getting in to Tepper, which has a higher than average acceptance rate as it is. However, if you get that GMAT up a bit higher (710-730), I’d say you have a shot at the higher-ranked schools on your list (Ross, Kellogg) and definitely likely to get some good $$$ in scholarships from many of the schools. It could be worth additional test prep support and/or an admissions consultant, as these things could prove to be a serious ROI for you! You’re off to good things; I know it!

Hi, it’s Nisha from mbaMission. You’ve had all of that career progression and impact while being a student?? If I understood that correctly, I’m thoroughly impressed and the admissions committees will be as well. On top of that, you have meaningful community leadership that is in line with your passions – Junior Achievement is such an excellent organization and I’ve worked with a number of clients who contribute to its efforts. (and, I just love that you listed “personal” goals as part of your post-MBA goals, to show that your community impact will only be ongoing!)

The range of schools you listed makes sense – just make sure to work hard on the GMAT to get your official test score at or above your practice scores. Also, do some reflection on the motivations behind your career goals so that programs understand what drives your interest in consulting/tech strategy (they care about the WHY as much as the WHAT). Additionally, for the programs you’ve listed that are Consortium member schools, definitely apply via Consortium – given your background and community involvement, I think you’ll be a viable candidate. Best of luck!

Hi Mr Automotive, it’s Lisa Cummings of Stratus Admissions. Based on your blurb, you have terrific work experience, made even more impressive given that you were a student while working. Your cost saving ideas will catch the attention of the adcomm, as will your extracurricular work where you give back to others in the community. I am honestly amazed that you have time for extracurriculars. Kudos to you. I agree with my peers that you should try to boost your GMAT score. As they say that would improve your chances of winning a merit scholarship but it will also help you when it comes tie for recruiting. About 32% of Tepper grads go into consulting of some sort so that would be a good fit given your career aspirations. I am sure you know that MBB is hard to crack into. They will ask for your GMAT score so you should consider boosting that as a high score will also be critical when it comes time to consulting recruiting.