I have no idea where I stand
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20 Nov 2009, 20:22
I am looking to get my MBA and while I have always been an excellent student I don't have the time to work on getting a 700. I like most of the readers here would love to go to a top 10 school, I just don't think that is realistic for me at this point (financially and time wise). I was interested in getting my masters before I graduated from undergrad but decided to get some work experience first.
In September a project that I had been working on came to an end. I decided to go and get an MBA and immediately started studying for the GMAT, which I took in the beginning of November. I hadn;t studying for that long but the last practice test I had scored a 580. It wasn't what I wanted but I thought it wasn't that bad for a month of studying. I took the GMAT and had a horrible experience. The computer malfunctioned at the end of the test and they told me that I would have to retake it if I was unsatisfied with my final score. (500 Q36 V23 AWA 5) Those score reports went out and my heart broke.
I have my new test scheduled for 12/10/09, the soonest I could get in. What is most frustrating about this whole experience is that my original plan was to decide on schools once I received my final scores. Now that I have to retake the test the application deadlines are too close for my original plan. I have to have a short list now and work on the applications so when the test date comes everything is done and waiting for the final piece. Since most of the help I have found is based on a score of 700 or the ability to postpone until next school year I need help determining what are some good viable options for myself and my interests. I need to know which schools are realistic for me so that I don't waste more of my time and money planing on something that doesn't end up happening.
Run down of who I am:
Born and raised in Arizona. Moved to New York for college.
College: Parsons School of Design (a division of The New School) New York, New York (for those of you who do not know what Parsons is, it is a very well respected school within design circles)
Degree: BBA in Design and Management with a concentration in Product Development and Communication Design
GPA: 3.4
Studied Abroad: in Paris, France 1 year
Graduated: 4 years in 2007
Work Experience: 3 years ranging in positions
2- years working in consulting for a private company
14 months working as a assistant project manager at a subsidary of Omnicom in the Innovation Lab
Currently I am working on more consulting projects
Future:
I enjoy design and believe that it is an integral part in business whether that means designing a brand or redesigning a business model the process for me is all about being creative and using that skill to build a better business.
Schools that interested me:
Stanford- for the d school, also near a lot of companies that are in the field that interests me
MIT, Carnegie Mellon- because their programs and schools are based a lot in design and engineering something that I think would be better given my background.
ASU- because financially it makes a lot of sense and they do have a design school that I may be able to take a few classes in
CSU, UCLA- in LA which is where a lot of my consulting projects are based and they are very good schools.
NYU, Baurch, Forham, Columbia- because they are in NY where I currently live.
Scores:
Expect (550-600)
Would Like (620-650)