cmv wrote:
WantGMAT800 wrote:
Hello mates!
I wonder how one knows to which school he can possibly be admitted and to which not? Isn't it "shoot for the sky, don't settle for the second best" for everyone who's aspiring to get an MBA?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts in advance!
The "best" can be different things to different people. if you're talking about GMAT scores, start out with a list of rankings, look at both the score averages and 20-80% range as a first guideline. But that should be the start, not the end of your search. Ultimately, fit is about more than the GMAT scores, so look at the profiles of current students and see if there are "people like you" in the program (I know, it's a vague definition, one of those "I know it when I see it" things). Visiting the school and attending class helps a lot, and so does talking to admissions officers. If you really listen, both to what they are saying and what they are *not* saying, you start to build a sense of whether that school matches your interests.
Come up with an idea of schools within your range based on your profile, then apply to 5 or 6 schools unless you've got the time to do more applications and still have them be good. Based on your profile (not just grades/GMAT, but work experience and ECAs also) you can pick 1 or 2 dream schools, 1 or 2 realistic schools, and 1 or 2 safety schools. Dream schools are schools that have a stronger profile than yours, and the realistic schools are ones that have profiles similar to yours. The safety schools are schools you're pretty certain you can get into, but you may not necessarily attend if accepted. You may decide you've got about a 20% chance of getting into your dream schools, 60% for your realistic schools, and 90% for your safety schools...that's kinda how I looked at things, and if R1 hadn't turned out ok for me I would have lined up some more safety schools for R3.
It depends on your timeline too--if you're 24 you can afford to be a little more aggressive because you can always reapply next year or the year after, but if you're dead-set on going to school next fall you may have to settle for less than your ideal school.