Hi All,
I'd like to say, thank you for every single one of your efforts. I was first introduced to this forum through a Google query. I signed up after reading post after post about MBA, GMAT, and Business Schools.
I have a huge favor to ask of the knowledgeable people of this forum. I'm not lazy, nor have I not spent enough time researching. I am doing this simply because I feel as though this will help me the most at the current moment.
I am going to post information about myself and the reason why I am going to pursue and MBA.
About Me:
I was recently laid off about 2 months ago as Sales & Marketing Manager for a healthcare services company and decided to pursue and MBA due to the fact that my goal is to be an executive of marketing in a big company.
I'm 27 years old with 11 years of work experience. 3 of those years are in Marketing and Business Development within two different industries: Healthcare and Telecommunications. The rest are a mix of 1 year of project management at a software development firm (which no longer exists), editing at an internet marketing company after college (3 years), and 4 years as a legal assistant throughout high school and college.
Undergrad major and GPA: English, 3.3 from California State University, Northridge
Extra activities: Working with a partner on our own very small start-up and internship at an Independent Film Production Company for PR.
References will be from CEO of my previous company, the former COO of another company I used to work for, and finally, a close family friend lawyer whom I worked for during my early years.
I'm going to study for 4-5 months and take the GMAT. I will probably take it up to 3 times in order to get a score of 700-800 which I believe I can with enough practice.
I had some scholarships coming out of high school for scoring high on the Math portion of some national and state exams.
I'm currently applying to jobs so that I can work and study. If I can live off unemployment, then I may just study full-time.
I'd like some advice on:
- Which business schools I should consider as "safe", "a challenge", and "a long shot". I am aware of the top 30 schools but I'd like to what people on this forum will think based on my information.
- Based on my current schedule, what year should I be applying for? Fall or Spring (If available) of 2013?
- How long does the application process generally take after I receive a GMAT score I am happy with? (Working/Not working)
- How much has the GMAT changed after this year's announcement? Will studying the
Manhattan Prep Books 5th edition on my own be enough if I cannot afford to take any classes?
Thank you all for your time and effort. I greatly appreciate everyone's answers and time!
Best,
Sean