Guys, quick question for you - what are the best MBA programs in NYC?

Disclaimer: I have not taken the GMAT but I don't think my score would be good enough to get into Columbia or NYU. :(

Other options would be much appreciated!

Try looking at the startclass website.

What is your GMAT score?

But more importantly, what are your goals?

There are a number of good full time MBAs in NYC* that aren't NYU / Columbia. Cuny, Fordham, Pace, St. John's...

*I'm including the outer boroughs, not just Manhattan.

1) I will take the GMAT in two weeks. I expect to get around 640-670.

2) My goal is to break into management. I work for an HMO now but I am interested in changing to a different industry, such as finance or consulting. My boyfriend will be doing his master at NYU starting this year so I thought I would do my MBA now.

Well, for finance you really should aim as high as possible. Cuny and Fordham typically place quite a few students in finance (probably about 50% of each graduating MBA class), but usually in lesser-paid roles than Columbia or NYU grads.

The consulting firms tend not to recruit as heavily from this tier of school.

[quote]Well, for finance you really should aim as high as possible. Cuny and Fordham typically place quite a few students in finance (probably about 50% of each graduating MBA class), but usually in lesser-paid roles than Columbia or NYU grads.
[/quote]
That's a bit of an understatement. Mean salaries for CUNY MBAs who go into finance are $78k or thereabouts. At Columbia it depends on what part of the financial services industry, but the mean salaries are generally $125k+. That's a substantial difference, and in my eyes, reason enough to re-take the GMAT. :)

Good points. I think it's pretty clear that Columbia / NYU are better for these kinds of career paths.

I really appreciate all the feedback. Thank you very much, it's a lot to think about. My GMAT is next week. I hope to get as high as possible, and I've been studying quite a bit. From my research I think that with a score of about 720 or higher I might actually have a shot at one of the top schools.

Hey, I got an admit at CUNY that I'm sitting on. I'm a bit uncertain because of the feedback I've read around. It Is the only school that I applied. I got 620 on the GMAT and need / want to be in NYC. Should I accept or is there a better option?

What are your goals? Why an MBA? Why not improve your GMAT?

My mid to long term goal is to learn more about business, and marketing in particular, so I can (hopefully) land a job in a marketing firm or in house marketing role in a company. I would like to do this NYC.

I took the GMAT twice and did not see substantial improvement. I think I might have maxed out at 620.

Looks like the mean salary for CUNY MBAs going into marketing jobs is $90,000. Similar groups from Columbia make $110,000+. Do the math - assuming you land an average job when you get out, would it be worth it for you?

I accepted my offer for the fall intake at CUNY. Did you? If so, let's connect!