Need Advice on GMAT prep amount/score requirement/general Qs

Question

Hello all, I've been reading through this vast wealth of knowledge on gmatclub, and while I'm definitely learning a lot, I'm also starting to become overwhelmed. :oops:

I'm currently working for a medium sized General Contractor/Construction firm as a engineer, and have been thinking of going for my MBA. Some background on where I came from: ethnicity: White gender: Male age: 23 (24 at time of application, 25 by the time I hope to be matriculating!) Graduated from a top 10 engineering school with a BS civil/environmental engineering, 2.75 GPA (

), started working right away, and currently have 1.5 years experience. In those years I've been moved up from field engineer to project engineer, and have worked on a few very large projects ($100M+). Unfortunately it looks like my next promotion is 4-5 years away, and I've pretty much decided that I don't want to be in Construction Management forever - I'm pretty unhappy here (hence the MBA route!) Now I have not taken my GMAT , but I'm shooting for the 2013 enrollment year, since I'm way behind for 2012 at this point. (plus the extra year of experience would help, giving me over 2 years experience at the time of application) That being said, I would prefer to drop out of the work force rather than go part time when 2013 rolls around, in order to attend one of the top tier schools (its seemingly impossible due to the variability of hours in Construction Management to attend a MBA program part time). As I said before, I haven't taken GMAT, but I suspect I will do very well as I'm typically a good test taker and have a year or so to prep for it. I'm wondering what I should be doing in the mean time to increase my chances and polish my applications for a school like Fuqua, Wharton, Tepper, Stern, Mendoza, etc. EDIT/NOTE: Took a practice GMAT last night, scored 630 (37Q/38V) without any studying - shouldn't be too unreasonable to move to 700+ with 3-6 months of practice 1. Given my poor GPA (though i rang in a solid 3.41 my senior year), what am i looking at in terms of GMAT requirements to have a shot at top tier schools? I know there are many variables in the application, but even just a ball park figure would be nice - set a goal or something of that sort. 2. Do you think coming from a seemingly uncommon route hurts my chances? I know lots of engineers go get MBAs, but I'm not hearing about many in civil engineering, let alone construction management heading that route. It seems to be a lot of EEs and Comp Sci/IT guys. 3. Do you think that 24 months of experience at the time of application is enough? 4. Would I hurt my application if I switched jobs now? I know for a fact the GC/Construction isn't for me, but still don't have enough experience for MBA apps. I feel like I owe it to myself to give structural design a try before jumping out of engineering, but if this is going to make my application more weak, I could just stick it out here. So, any comments/help/criticisms are welcome!

hamm0 · Answer

Trying to be patient here, but just wondering if I posted in the wrong section? 60 views and no answers? Maybe I'm not able to be helped? :shock:

mohater · Answer

This is an excellent use of the optional essay. A low GPA is only part of an application. As long as the rest of your application is solid and you utilize the optional essay effectively, your chances of acceptance can be just as good as any other applicant.

Your GPA is a , but how much of a hindrance depends on the remaining pieces of your app and how you sell yourself.

Your GPA is a , but how much of a hindrance depends on the remaining pieces of your app and how you sell yourself.

hamm0 · Answer

Thanks for the response mohater - I was begining to think I messed something up :lol:

You mentioned the optional essay. What if I don't have much reasoning for my low GPA? I didn't work in college, I just had trouble mentally transitioning to being able to do whatever I wanted with my time, and thus partied a lot. Sure, it was fun, but it is hurting my applications now. I don't think the admissions people want to hear about my freshmen exploits in the party scene. Any insight on the job switching bit? I kind of see it as a lateral move career wise (sort of apples to oranges), but certainly an upgrade for my overall quality of life. However, if that is going to sink/lessen chances of MBA then I'd be more inclined to stick it out here.

mohater · Answer

That's a valid reason (you jumped to University when you were not ready for it, but you turned things around at the end when you were in the advanced classes). Again, you have a low GPA, if you don't use the optional essay, it is taken at face value w/o any supplement.

As for changing jobs: Who will be writing your letters? If people from your current employer, you're running a risk by leaving and asking someone there to write a letter. Letters need to speak to specific examples of your strengths. General letters rarely (if ever) work. The writer needs to cite examples of leadership qualities in the capacity of your role.

hamm0 · Answer

I have to imagine my letters will be written by my current employer. I don't think it would be wise to ask a new employer within 6 months if they could write a recommendation on something that will remove me from their company . I understand the risk involved in the recommendation, but I'm willing to take that. What about the risk as far as switching is viewed on my app? I'm worried that it might show a lack of seriousness in my career, though I guess i could explain the switch in my essays.

mohater · Answer

Another fantastic use of the optional essay.

You do what you feel is best for you. If you need to explain circumstances (in a new job for a short period of time, low GPA, etc.), use the optional essay.

Always look out for #1.

hamm0 · Answer

Gotcha. Thanks for your help. Is there any chance I can get you (or anyone else, feel free to jump in people!) to address questions 2 & 3 in my original post? I'll update my original so all the info is up there, but I took my first practice GMAT and scored a 630 (37Q/38V) without any studying, so there is definitely room to improve there.. especially in Quant. I messed up some real simple stuff since I was overly concerned with pace. :lol:

Anonymous · Answer

Not coming from a conventional background does not hurt your chances in any way. I'm not sure if they group all engineers together or different types. But being Civil will not hurt you that's for sure. Just get a GMAT above 720 (just to be safe).

The average work experience for all the top schools is above 3 years. So 24 months might not be enough. In addition, you need to demonstrate leadership in the work place. If you have obtained the necessary leadership experience in 24 months then it might not hurt your chances too much. However, if I were you I would stay at current job and become obtain more senior leadership roles.

hamm0 · Answer

Thanks for the response. I guess I wasn't leaning to if being a civil hurt me. Perhaps I didn't explain. It is uncommon (read: not possible) due to the nature of GC/CM firms to advance anywhere near senior management without many years of experience. The industry doesn't value much other than experience, so it is very rare to see a project manager in his 20s (none under 25), and almost impossible to see anyone in senior leadership in their 30s. * I don't want to be penalized for not having a senior role in 2-3 years if its impossible to have one. *barring start ups/small E&S companies. Companies like mine that have 500+ employees and take on 100M+ projects. A better way to phrase my original question might sound like: Would admissions understand this nuance of this industry since there doesn't seem to be many coming from it ? As far as age, I'll have 2 years when I apply (Fall/Winter 2012), but plan on continuing to work until school starts, thus having almost 3 years when, hopefully , I start classes (Fall 2013). Will selection committees take me at 24 months or 36? As for management, I started out managing separate drill crews (5-7 Union workers x 3-8 crews depending on season), and have since been promoted, and now I'm more involved in Quality Control (so i guess i sort of manage the whole site in terms of quality, but have only foremen and superintendents that report to me :?:

). Is this what you're talking about for leadership/management?

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Need Advice on GMAT prep amount/score requirement/general Qs

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