I have been a great student at high school as well as my bachelors(GPA 3.5). I started working on an MS degree but could not complete it as I could not complete one of the core courses for my degree. Also my GPA for an MS degree is 2.9. Between my MS degree and my undergrad, I did take up a two year job. I have always been really wonderful at any job I took up and thus I have excellent recommendation letter.

Now I am planning on applying to business schools and am worried that my past MS degree would pose a problem in my application process. Can anyone suggest me:
(1) What would be a nice GMAT score inorder to stand a good chance to get into a business schools. (I don't plan to apply to the top tier schools. I am targetting schools that accept a range of 500-650)
(2) Would my past MS degree be a factor that is taken into consideration or only my Undergrad degree.
(3) Would you have any suggestions?

The bachelors GPA is strong (nobody cares about high school grades).

If you leave the unfinished MS on your application, you can expect the admissions people to ask about it in an interview. They probably won't want to hear excuses or drama, but if you can paint the whole experience in a positive light, and focus on lessons learned, then it might work out okay.

As is always true, you want to get the highest GMAT possible. It's probably worth studying / training for that. This, your strong grades, and any good, relevant work experience should serve you well.

Don't forget that you also need to have a sense of direction (reason for getting an MBA) when writing your essays and doing interviews. That can help, too.

Best of luck! Evan

Dear Evan,

Thank you so much for responding! It is a huge relief to hear that I still hold a chance if I am able to pull up a good GMAT score. Although I understand that every academic record is taken into account, but why/how would my MS score have a huge impact on my MBA admission?

Please explain.

Thanks,
- Nidhi

Hi!
As per my understanding you were not able to complete you MS rigth?
So just be careful to explaing the reasons behind it either in essay or interview. U have to put the entire thing in good ligth / positive way else it will backfire. Remember No excuse or small reasons.....

Since it is an incomplete degree, it will impact on the admission but if u can nail a genuine reason, dont worry.

Hope it helps. And whjere are u planning to and apply and for which year?

Akshat

Hi Akshat,

Thank you so much for your recommendation. I will no doubt try my best to explain and put forward my past academic background in a positive way as you and Evan suggested both in my essay as well as my interview. Again, thank you so much!

I plan on applying to universities that have very basic requirements, partly because of my past MS background and partly because I have just a 2 year work experience. (which I believe is the basic requirement at least to schools with specializations I am really interested in.)

I plan to apply for Fall 2011. Also, here are 4 univ. I have decided upon, I plan to apply to a total of 8 universities:
(1) University of Central Arkansas
(2) University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
(3) University of Portland
(4) Tennessee Tech University

~Nidhi

U are planning for MBA now....just curious to know why have you selected the mentioned uni's.....

Akil,

Yes, I plan on applying this year.

I wish to apply to these universities due to 2 reasons:
(1) They offer the specialization I am interested in.
(2) Due to my past academic background

Do you think I may not stand a chance? Or would you have any other recommendation?

Hi!
are u planning for an MBA or Ms in Management?

Because as far as MBA is concerened, try getting couple of better colleges in US, UK, Europe. Also keep 2-3 safety net schools.

- rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-rankings -
www.economist.com/whichmba

Check the above for your options.

Hi Akil,

i am planning on MBA not MS. I badly want to get into better schools, but I doubt with my past academic experience, I may not get a chance to get into a better school.

Would you have any recommendations?

~Nidhi

Hey dont sell yourself short.....its fine i guess its pretty much confusing for everyone.......as i suggested earlier think and try to potray your MS issue in a positive ligth.....Sit down and think how u can come up with a good answer for it.........Look it wasnt the BS that you screwed up...it was Masters......so well come up with a good reason......

And get yourself a decent GMAT and TOEFL score.....GMAT atleast 550+.....if u can get 600+ tht be gr8....

Also there are events happengin in India, Access MBA and QS world Tour....check on google by typing the names....
goto these events......u will meet loads of school representatives and they are very helpful.....just be honest and have good answers for:

1. Why do u want to do MBA?
2. Why do u feel to do an MBA now?
3. ur MS thing.....

- check out the sites i suggested in my previous post.....


So finally, i shall summarize....

1. get ur answers ready for the questions.
2. Get a decent GMAT and Toefl.
3. Parallely check out the sites and check the school sites finalizing atleast 10-12 schools......Keep atleast 3 schools where u are sure to get in.....rest give it a shot.....
4. Goto these events and meet school representative.....That will help u a lot......

Hope it helps......and its about time that u better get started up if u wanna go for 2011......so tyr spending some good time on research and application....just a suggestion.....

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I will definitely add better schools to my list. And I thank you for all your suggestions as well as encouragement.

I feel so much more confident about going forward with my application process now.

Thank you again a TON :)

Regards,
~Nidhi

No Problem....let me know where are u plannning to apply.....if u planning to US, do check out

Hult International Business school......

I got into it.....came to know today.....

Let me know, how things go....good luck.....