Hi ,
I am planning to apply for MBA programs this year targeting US and Canadian B-Schools. My GMAT score of 690 sounds a bit on the lower side. But unfortunately, I am not willing to retake GMAT as I have already appeared for it twice and jumped from a score of 660 to 690 during 2008-2009.

The main challenge with me is how to meet the cost factor for the MBA course with just $ 24000 in my bag.

Below is my brief profile:

: B.Tech with 6 years in IT (worked in China for 14 months during 2007-2008 for project set-up processes and
represented my current employer's offshore development centre at London in Jan 2010).
: GMAT 690 (Q - 49, V - 35, AWA - 5)
: Decent Acads, one of the toppers during engineering but from a private college.(69.8 %. topper 77 %)
: Intensive involvement in Social services since 1999, worked for at least 5 NGOs and Animal shelters.
: Experience working with clients from different countries such as US, China, France and UK in variety of projects ranging from software development to Proejct set ups.
: Currently involved in Requirement Analysis, Budgeting and mentoring resources for my current employer setting up new projects.
: Good communication skills (as per the feedback from people around me and the basis of my interest in Marketing). Though just scored 96 in TOEFL in last quarter of 2008 and the score seems to be expired now.

The issue with my candidature is that I have limited funds available with me($ 24000) and hence my criterion for finding appropriate B-Schools looks like below:

* Availability of some rebate in fee through scholarships.
* Availability of loan without a co-signer.
* Scope of providing Assistantship and part time jobs inside or outside the school campus.(can be treated secondary if loan or scholarship is there)

My plan to settle either in US or Canada can be coupled with above factors.

I wish to specialize in Marketing and to work for a reputed IT firm such as KPMG and Cap Gemini post MBA.

Could you please suggest me some B-schools which can justify with my constraints and choices. Your help would be much appreciated and would help me to come out of this confusion.

Thanks and Regards

Hi -- I'd look for one-year or fast-track programs with marketing specializations:
- Cornell (expensive)
- UBC Sauder
- UNC Belk
- Washington Foster
- Dallas

You'll lose the possibility of doing an internship in some cases with a one year program. But if you know where you want to work anyway...

Good luck.

Hi Evan,
Thanks for the valuable information. I agree with you on the fact a fast track program would suit my needs.
But I was of the mindset that somebody planning to make a career shift(IT project set ups to Marketing in my case) definitely needs internship. This allows one to test one's preparation for the new field. Also, would employers be keen to absorb me without any hands on.

Evan,
My apologies in advance for taking the boat upstream but I believe I can very well find solution to my confusion here.
Could you please also suggest if MBA specialization in Project Management carries value in US and Canada and there are dedicated job apportunities there.
It was just my confusion to select from Marketing and Project Management and would be great if you could list down few B-schools falling in this category as well.(with the same filters you used above).

Hi Gonnabe3 -- You can search for marketing or project management programs using the advanced search functionality on this very website (http://www.find-mba.com/search), and even narrow it down further to your desired geographical region and duration of program.

Job opportunities afterward depend on a lot of things. But a good b-school should be able to open doors.

Best of luck.