Last visit was: 20 Nov 2025, 03:51 It is currently 20 Nov 2025, 03:51
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
User avatar
MITIMITIM
User avatar
Joined: 14 Jan 2021
Last visit: 06 Jun 2022
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 66
Location: France
Schools: Harvard '24
Schools: Harvard '24
Posts: 50
Kudos: 8
Application without pre-salary Updated on: 05 Mar 2021, 02:52
Originally posted by MITIMITIM on 15 Feb 2021, 10:52.
Last edited by MITIMITIM on 05 Mar 2021, 02:52, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi,
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 20 Nov 2025
Posts: 13,201
Own Kudos:
9,839
 [1]
Given Kudos: 3,295
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 13,201
Kudos: 9,839
 [1]
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 11:46
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT
Hi,

I am a founder of an American start-up, started approximately 4 years ago, and I do not pay myself, therefore, I have not a real salary to enter in the application.
Might be a problem? it could be penalizing?

What do you suggest to do?

Thanks
Show more

gastoneMIT

Why do you think it could be penalizing? I guess you can use the optional essay to explain it.
User avatar
MITIMITIM
User avatar
Joined: 14 Jan 2021
Last visit: 06 Jun 2022
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 66
Location: France
Schools: Harvard '24
Schools: Harvard '24
Posts: 50
Kudos: 8
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 11:51
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nikhil

thanks for your answer.

Do you think is it a good idea to write to them and ask how to do it or directly enter it in the essay?

Thanks
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 20 Nov 2025
Posts: 13,201
Own Kudos:
9,839
Given Kudos: 3,295
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 13,201
Kudos: 9,839
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 11:59
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT
Nikhil

thanks for your answer.

Do you think is it a good idea to write to them and ask how to do it or directly enter it in the essay?

Thanks
Show more

gastoneMIT

You can definitely write to them about this and see what they will suggest. If you don't hear back, I would suggest writing about it in the optional essay :)
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 20 Nov 2025
Posts: 13,201
Own Kudos:
9,839
Given Kudos: 3,295
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 13,201
Kudos: 9,839
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 12:01
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT

May I ask you about which schools you are planning to apply to?
User avatar
MITIMITIM
User avatar
Joined: 14 Jan 2021
Last visit: 06 Jun 2022
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 66
Location: France
Schools: Harvard '24
Schools: Harvard '24
Posts: 50
Kudos: 8
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 12:05
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nikhil

thanks, it is really appreciated,

I am going to apply to HEC, could be possible that they will not give me an answer? and in that situation I have to continue my application anyway?

Thanks
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 20 Nov 2025
Posts: 13,201
Own Kudos:
9,839
Given Kudos: 3,295
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 13,201
Kudos: 9,839
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 12:13
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT
Nikhil

thanks, it is really appreciated,

I am going to apply to HEC, could be possible that they will not give me an answer? and in that situation I have to continue my application anyway?

Thanks
Show more

gastoneMIT

Yes. You should go forward with your application even if you don't hear back from them on the salary question.
User avatar
MITIMITIM
User avatar
Joined: 14 Jan 2021
Last visit: 06 Jun 2022
Posts: 50
Own Kudos:
8
Given Kudos: 66
Location: France
Schools: Harvard '24
Schools: Harvard '24
Posts: 50
Kudos: 8
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 12:19
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Nikhil

might be considered "bad" if they do not answer me back?

Just for curiosity, why they should not answer?

I am very afraid.

Thank you very much
User avatar
Nikhil
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 22 May 2017
Last visit: 20 Nov 2025
Posts: 13,201
Own Kudos:
9,839
Given Kudos: 3,295
Affiliations: GMATClub
GPA: 3.4
Products:
My Reviews
Posts: 13,201
Kudos: 9,839
Application without pre-salary 15 Feb 2021, 12:21
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT
Nikhil

might be considered "bad" if they do not answer me back?

Just for curiosity, why they should not answer?

I am very afraid.

Thank you very much
Show more

gastoneMIT

Nope. Not at all. Business schools receive many emails from applicants on these types of questions and I don't think they will have time to answer each one of them. You not receiving a reply is in no way an indication of the outcome :)
User avatar
MBADecoder
User avatar
Joined: 16 Jan 2012
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 2,933
Own Kudos:
765
Given Kudos: 210
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 2,933
Kudos: 765
Application without pre-salary 23 Feb 2021, 03:14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gastoneMIT
Hi,

I am a founder of an American start-up, started approximately 4 years ago, and I do not pay myself, therefore, I have not a real salary to enter in the application.
Might be a problem? it could be penalizing?

What do you suggest to do?

Thanks
Show more


Hi There,

Not drawing a salary as an entrepreneur would not be penalizing. B-schools will appreciate you for running the business -successfully, I hope- for 4 years. While you could approach the b-schools where you will apply to ask how they'd like you to address this, make sure to share the figures for revenues and other financial numbers as and where applicable in the resume and other parts of the application.