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Where, when, what, why? FAQs from potential MBAs
With its demands on time, finances and personal commitment, its not surprising that the prospect of taking an MBA can generate a thousand pressing questions. Every year, however, we find that potential students keep coming back to a small, but significant, number of key issues. In this section of the Guide, we provide you with answers to a sample of the most common questions put to our experts in the TopMBA Mentor online advice forums in recent months.
Q: Im a senior software engineer with five years work experience at a major multinational. My goal is to move away from technical involvement and into more general management. How will this be perceived by admissions officers?
A: Its definitely not a problem that you are seeking to change career. A significant proportion of MBA students have always seen the qualification as a springboard into a new discipline, sector or area of responsibility and schools are fully aware of this.
Q: What is the most important factor for an admissions officer when choosing an MBA candidate?
A: Besides appearing bright, talented and interesting, selfawareness and letting your personality come out on your application are the best ways to distinguish yourself in a strong applicant pool.
Q: I have a low GMAT score of 500. What other factors can I use to impress admissions committees?
A: The GMAT is only one factor in your application, but unfortunately it is a strong predictor of academic aptitude for a traditional MBA program. That's all that it measures, so it doesn't define who will be the best manager or team-mate in the future. If you are 50 points below the average of the schools you are applying to, and you have only taken it once, then take it again. Schools always accept your highest score. Other factors committees look at are: your work history, outside activities and interests, essays and recommendations, and, possibly, an interview. You need to present a consistent message that you are passionate about the activities you are a part of and that you have a good sense of your core values. In addition, it is important that you have made a strong case for why you want to pursue your career goals, how the MBA can help you, and why you are applying to a particular school.
Q: I'm interested in an MBA but, at 48, am concerned that I'm too old for many schools to consider. I spent last summer studying international business at Harvard University and believe I can handle the workload. What are your thoughts?
A: I'm sure you have great experience and would be a welcome addition to many MBA programs. You are a little old for typical MBA entry-level careers in consulting and banking. However, if you have clear career objectives and can see how an MBA will help you achieve these goals, then we are sure you will enjoy the experience of broadening yourself and seeing business from completely new perspectives.
Q: Are there any good MBA programmes in the UK or the USA, which do not require work experience? I will graduate in April 2006 and intend to pursue my MBA immediately after that. Is this possible at any of the top rung MBA schools and is it a good idea?
A: In general it is better to have two or more years of work experience before you undertake an MBA. Recruiters certainly favour this and fellow students prefer like-minded colleagues, who can share their own work experiences in the learning environment. There are a number of preexperience MBA programmes, but they vary enormously in quality. There are several UK providers including universities of Southampton and Hertfordshire. Most US programs will allow a couple of fresh graduates to gain entry if they have outstanding academic records and some other distinguishing features, but, as a rule, the chances of gaining entry to a top US school without prior work experience are very small.
