QUERY : OUT OF TOP B SCHOOLS ? ARE THEY ANY WHICH GIVE SIGNIFICANT PREFERENCE TO CANDIDATES WITH GOOD QUALITY WORK EX ? Even if low GMAT score.


I am a working professional targeting for a 1 year Full time MBA program with below expectations - session start in 2013

1. Should be in top 50 in the world
2. Should have excellent campus placement record

My profile

1. Already an MBA from a b school in India - passed out in 2004 with 9.02 / 10 cgpa
2. Have 7 years of post MBA experience with leading Corporate
3. Age 32
4. Not very good academic background in school and under grad

My selling point in my applicantion with be my work Ex ? So I need advice on choosing which b schools to apply

If you are truly looking at top 50 schools you need to keep in mind that they are all going to be competitive when it comes to GMAT scores - even schools at the bottom of that top 50 - the current cohort at Texas A&M/Mays, for example, has a 646 average GMAT score, with the middle 80% topping out at about 720. Likewise, Rice/Jones' recent cohort has an average score of 672.

The way I see it you have two options. One is to study really hard, take practice tests, etc. to boost your GMAT score and apply to one of these top 50 MBA programs. However, I'm not entirely certain why you'd want to get a second MBA - or for that matter that having a previous MBA wouldn't actually hurt your chances at a top 50 program.

Your other option is to check out EMBA programs. Many EMBAs do not require you to take the GMAT (or some do but waivers are available,) and instead rely on a longer history of great work experience. Many need at the least 10 years of work experience, but some require less. Here are few to check out to get you started:

Perdue/Krannert EMBA. No GMAT needed if you can demonstrate great work experience and a minimum of a B average in undergrad.

Cambridge/Judge's EMBA program will waive their GMAT requirement if you feel those skills can be demonstrated elsewhere in your application (ie. great work experience.)

University of Georgia/Terry EMBA program will also waive GMAT scores on a case-by-case basis.

Assuming your 7 years of work experience show increasing responsibilities, leadership, and other factors admissions committees look for - you can probably make a case at these schools.

The other option is to look at post-MBA degrees and diplomas, for example
- USC's MSBA http://www.marshall.usc.edu/msba
- Thunderbird's post-MBA http://www.thunderbird.edu/graduate_degrees/post_mba/index.htm
- Schulich's post-MBA http://www.schulich.yorku.ca/ssb-extra/post-mba.nsf

There are numerous b-schools offering post-MBA certificates, of which McGill's post-MBA is best-known. Sadly, it's closed to new entrants (http://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/postmba/)

Interesting, Duncan - I've heard of the Thunderbird program, but this is the first I've heard of USC's MSBA. This could be a good option for people who need something a bit more than just an MBA (and with a name brand attached!)

Seems like that program does, however, require a score of at least 650 on the GMAT- and the OP was concerned about his testing aptitude, so that's something to keep in mind.

Generally, post-MBA programs will have admissions criteria somewhat between those of traditional MBA programs and those of EMBA programs - that is, while they might require 5 years of work experience, they'll also look closely at undergrad work and sometimes the candidate's GMAT score.

These niche programs could be something for people like the OP to consider - but they'd need to closely weigh this option against EMBA programs on a school-by-school basis - especially in terms of admission criteria.

Hi Ralph / Duncan..

Appreciate your responses and advice, below are my thoughts to it

1. Regarding GMAT - I guess every batch recruit at a B school has a range - in the schools that I am targeting the range is 650 to 730. With the level i am as on date should manage to cross 650 and land about +10 or 20 range.

2. Considering facts in point 1 above - will my work ex be able to sail through my application to cover the shortfall of 60 to 70 score in GMAT

3. Regarding post MBA courses - Please recommended me some if they are full time on campus and if they have placement facility. As going for my second course post MBA is purely for getting a international career break.

4. B schools shortlisted by me are 5 as per this list a) INSEAD b) Indian School of Business C) HEC paris d) IE - spain e) Said business school - Oxford. please advice if I am on the right track of school selection.

1 A average GMAT isn't enough. They will look at the quality of your work experience. Your weak undergraduate performance will count against you, so aim to to as well as possible in the GMAT. However, unless you have very distinctive and unusual work experience, you will be a competitive candidate only at schools where your GMAT is *above* the average.

2. You can read about the post-MBAs by clicking on the links. I supplied. Yes, they are full time but you could have found that out yourself ;-)

3. Placement facilities work differently in the USA from other regions. The schools which place the most of their students though their own careers service are mostly outside the USA: according to The Economist's data they are schools like the IIM-A, Nanyang, IE, ESADE, Warwick, Monaco, Durham, Melbourne, EM Lyon and Hult. In the USA, to top schools for placement through the careers service are USC (one of the post-MBA schools), Dartmouth, Chicago, UNC and Penn State. At one of these top MBAs you are just as likely to be finding your own opportunities through networking and research.

4. With your target schools, think again about my point that you are below the average GMAT for most of the top schools. Unless your work experience is really outstanding (not just in terms of volume, but what you have been managing) then you will not be a competitive candidate.

PS Thinking this over, I really think your best option is the MSBA at USC. It also include internship opportunities. At just 26 credits, it is a light course load to give you time for internships and job hunting.

Dear Duncan,

Thank a lot for a very informative post, you knowledge about some of the courses are commendable - i had not heard of them till date.

You insight on campus placement was very insightful, I will be reworking on my school list.

Appreciate your reverts. Thanks !!

And yes I did go though all the links - as per earlier MBA is not accredited by any international body - the options are not applicable for me. :(

I'm not sure I understand you. You mean that your MBA is not from an accredited school? Well, none of the three schools I suggest automatically exclude schools without international accreditation.

Thunderbird says "To become a Thunderbird Post-MBA full-time student you must first complete your MBA at another AACSB-accredited school or a specific MBA program approved by Thunderbird" - they have flexibility. USC asks for an "M.B.A. from a reputable institution"

thunderbird has listed some parameters - which are not met by my MBA

I have done a bit of research - there is a program offered by LONDON Business School / Stanford / MIT - called the "SLOAN Fellowship Program" - generally for people with good work ex and the GMAT requirement is less.

How is this program in terms of placement.....

It's excellent. All the Sloan programs are amazing.

I have done a bit of research - there is a program offered by LONDON Business School / Stanford / MIT - called the "SLOAN Fellowship Program" - generally for people with good work ex and the GMAT requirement is less.

How is this program in terms of placement.....