GMATT73 wrote:
I am facing a similiar dilemma. The harder I try, the more the law of diminishing returns takes effect. Undoubtedly, Harvard is the apotheosis of a superior b-school, but then again it seems to accept people of truly exceptional talent and accomplishment. I have a friend who scored a 740 on his first attempt and even paid big money to one of those application services only to be rejected by HBS.
I think you have a very good score that would better serve you at a slightly lower than "super-elite" institution. Not only would you fit in better, but you would probably qualify for a partial/full scholarship and wouldn`t have to compete with those super neurotic "A types". Besides, most top 30 b-schools offer a good 5 year return on investment, regardless of where you studied.
Finally, IMHO it`s how you apply what you learn in b-school that will make the biggest difference over the rest of your career, rather than the name.
Your GMAT is fine, focus on the other aspects of your application and apply to a few appropriate safe schools with one or two dream schools.
From what you have mentiond earlier that the top 30 schools will offer a good 5 year return on investment, does that mean that all the schools below the top 30 is just a waste of money? Or do you mean that it would just take longer to get the return of investment? Do you think the top 30 schools is a good return on investment even for younger applicants with lack of work experience (I am thinking in terms that after graduating from an MBA, younger applicants would still not be as experience as the older ones).
From the rankings of businessweek, usnews, etc, it only ranks schools from 1-50. Those schools that are ranked before 50 (we dont know which ones since it's never posted), in your opinion, do you think they are a waste of time applying?