Score:
675 GMAT Focus
720 GMAT Classic
GPA: 4.0
Pre-MBA industry: Transportation
Post-MBA industry: Consulting
2 years ago
20 Sep 2023 07:09
After over 5 years in the Mobility Industry working as a Mechanical Engineer, I want to shift to management consulting, preferably in the US.
I would add Darden. It is a nice sleeper program with good MBB consulting. UNC may be a good option as well just in case the score holds you back.
720 will be a borderline score for the above sets of schools specially since your target in Management Consulting (remember that some consulting firms even ask for your GMAT score for the recruitment process, although 720 will be good enough to make the cut). There are some really solid options that do a really good job in consulting and that are probably not on your radar take for instance Kenan Flagler (as bb already highlighted), have seen some solid successes at Giozueta as well, Mccombs also will do a fairly good job for consulting careers. Honestly, have seen UCLA been a solid a feeder into BigTech and not so much of a consulting school - so maybe have a relook at that.
For the EU/UK programs, 720 should suffice for the Oxbridge although your work ex and application will also be a bit determining factor for these schools. HEC can be another solid options for consulting careers across EU and have seen some really good success stories at IMD as well. Again, INSEAD maybe push you to get a higher GMAT score.
Waiting for an additional year will be personal call, and you should take an overall assessment on the work front and your prep front while putting your plans on hold for an additional year.
Reach out at info@thembaedge.com | +918368000961 if you need any further guidance.
Anecdotally, after the latest round of graduates who were taken during the pandemic with Shortcuts and simplified process, a number of companies have expressed concern with quality and commitment of those graduates. I’m not sure that was the result of not taking the GMAT but it seems there is a reputational cost to business schools for taking shortcuts so there may be some validation for having a high score on the résumé in the future but at this time, it seems the practice is not active in the United States .
I have received invites from Ross and Darden. My Darden interview is done and I think it went really well! Ross interview is scheduled tomorrow. After that, do you think it is a good idea to re-take my GMAT to try and improve my score? Will it help if I am waitlisted? Or should I just wait for the results and decide after? After tomorrow, there is at least one month where I will only be waiting for results. But I want to know if it is worth having a go at GMAT now. Thanks!