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A low GMAT score does not automatically end your MBA admission chances. Every year, top business schools admit candidates whose GMAT scores fall below the class average — not because the score doesn’t matter, but because the rest of the application....
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08 Feb 2016, 23:07
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hello everyone. This is my first post but I hope I will be more active in this forum from now on. So here is my profile for your review and honest feedback.
Education Undergraduate: Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey in 2006 with gpa of 3.06 (top 20 among 200 in my class a difficult school and major to say the least)
Education Graduate: Master of Science in Civil Engineering with focus on construction management and engineering from Virginia Tech with 100% tuition scholarship + monthly stipend as a research assistant from 2006 to 2008, gpa: 3.74
Work Experience: Total 10 years: 2 years as a research assistant doing real work for Virginia Department of Transportation during my studies at Virginia Tech, 4 years for a mid-size construction management firm near Washington DC, 3 years with a multinational construction consultancy in Australia with 3 promotions and roles with increasing responsibility and bunch of international projects from Indonesia to Chile, to Romania, London, Middle East etc. worked on large oil and gas and infrastructure projects as a senior level consultant on a number of projects in these countries and mainly worked on dispute resolution space (international Arbitration mainly and also mediations and negotiations) for international contractors (think Fluor, KBR, Bechtel), owner/operator organizations (think chevron, Exxon etc.) and law firms (think mallesons, Norton rose, Freehills etc.). I work in a similar position in the us for the last 5 months.
GMAT Score: 750
A few extra curricular activity and leadership roles like student chapter of a professional organization at Virginia Tech, current involvement in board of directors of construction association regional chapter in Florida, involvement in not for profit organization that provides scholarship to under represented/ under privileged students, university bowling team, traveling, speak Turkish, English, and Spanish. One unique thing about me is that I love making kites and flying them which I have done since I am 7!
Post mba career - I am quite interested in attending a rotational leadership programs offered by energy companies like chevron, bp, shell and maybe GE etc. for recent mba graduates and later specialize in strategy/decision making for future projects. Plan B would be a similar program/similar role with A company that do international trade (I know it is a stretch but I have my reasons for that). I cannot get into big oil without an mba unfortunately and this is the main reason why I want to do an mba among other things.
Target schools - McCombs, Rice, Duke etc. not sure if m7 would even consider me for an interview.
Dilemmas I am having are a) am I going to be considered too old for this position b) I am currently making 150k and there will be a significant opportunity cost that I have to sacrifice to do this and I know that my post MBA salary probably be around 110-120k so not only I am going to take a pay cut but also lose a lot of money in lost salary. However, I am not very happy with the type of work i do anymore and I can always do it as a free lance contractor if I need to but it is not fulfilling and I don't (want to) see myself in my boss' position in 5-10 years.
My questions:
1. What would you do if you wee me, mba or no mba?
2. Do you think I could get decent scholarship from McCombs or Rice?
3. Any chance at M7 acceptance?
Appreciate all feedback and thank you in advance for your time.
Education Undergraduate: Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in Turkey in 2006 with gpa of 3.06 (top 20 among 200 in my class a difficult school and major to say the least)
Education Graduate: Master of Science in Civil Engineering with focus on construction management and engineering from Virginia Tech with 100% tuition scholarship + monthly stipend as a research assistant from 2006 to 2008, gpa: 3.74
Work Experience: Total 10 years: 2 years as a research assistant doing real work for Virginia Department of Transportation during my studies at Virginia Tech, 4 years for a mid-size construction management firm near Washington DC, 3 years with a multinational construction consultancy in Australia with 3 promotions and roles with increasing responsibility and bunch of international projects from Indonesia to Chile, to Romania, London, Middle East etc. worked on large oil and gas and infrastructure projects as a senior level consultant on a number of projects in these countries and mainly worked on dispute resolution space (international Arbitration mainly and also mediations and negotiations) for international contractors (think Fluor, KBR, Bechtel), owner/operator organizations (think chevron, Exxon etc.) and law firms (think mallesons, Norton rose, Freehills etc.). I work in a similar position in the us for the last 5 months.
GMAT Score: 750
A few extra curricular activity and leadership roles like student chapter of a professional organization at Virginia Tech, current involvement in board of directors of construction association regional chapter in Florida, involvement in not for profit organization that provides scholarship to under represented/ under privileged students, university bowling team, traveling, speak Turkish, English, and Spanish. One unique thing about me is that I love making kites and flying them which I have done since I am 7!
Post mba career - I am quite interested in attending a rotational leadership programs offered by energy companies like chevron, bp, shell and maybe GE etc. for recent mba graduates and later specialize in strategy/decision making for future projects. Plan B would be a similar program/similar role with A company that do international trade (I know it is a stretch but I have my reasons for that). I cannot get into big oil without an mba unfortunately and this is the main reason why I want to do an mba among other things.
Target schools - McCombs, Rice, Duke etc. not sure if m7 would even consider me for an interview.
Dilemmas I am having are a) am I going to be considered too old for this position b) I am currently making 150k and there will be a significant opportunity cost that I have to sacrifice to do this and I know that my post MBA salary probably be around 110-120k so not only I am going to take a pay cut but also lose a lot of money in lost salary. However, I am not very happy with the type of work i do anymore and I can always do it as a free lance contractor if I need to but it is not fulfilling and I don't (want to) see myself in my boss' position in 5-10 years.
My questions:
1. What would you do if you wee me, mba or no mba?
2. Do you think I could get decent scholarship from McCombs or Rice?
3. Any chance at M7 acceptance?
Appreciate all feedback and thank you in advance for your time.
09 Feb 2016, 16:45
Kudos
Bookmarks
Serc,
Not to sound cliche, but there's no price that you can put on your happiness--this is something you understand and which you can weave into your application story.
In responding to your specific questions:
1) Although you're certainly on the older end for starting your MBA, it is certainly possible. Most classes will have individuals (though the number varies) who are in their mid- to late-30s. (Some classes even host a few applicants in their 40s.) What it generally boils down to is the story you tell and how you demonstrate that you "need" an MBA--specifically, this MBA from this particular program. So, if you feel that you need an MBA, then certainly apply. And, as others will likely point out, you do have the option to explore an Executive MBA too, if that is of interest to you.
2) Your age and experience may make it more difficult for you to earn some scholarships, but it is possible. Think less of the scholarship opportunities and more about the investment for your future--given that you have a particular post-MBA career interest in mind and you seem passionate about pursuing your next career step, would not receiving a scholarship actually stop you?
3) You should certainly explore which M7 schools you may be interested in. While your undergraduate GPA is not especially strong (though it is in a difficult field), your GMAT and resume can make you competitive and I imagine you may have access to some high quality recommendations. What it's going to come down to is how you communicate your story, especially through your essays and your interviews. You must communicate to an admissions committee how an MBA is the most logical next step for you, especially given your age. It's a challenge, but if you're interested in the M7 opportunities and you think you can make compelling arguments for the particular schools you apply to, then it is certainly worth the effort.
Best of luck as you continue down this path. And if you'd like a free 30-min initial consultation from one of our admissions consultants to give you some additional perspective or recommendations as you make your decision, we'd be happy to help. https://www.wysegyde.com
Not to sound cliche, but there's no price that you can put on your happiness--this is something you understand and which you can weave into your application story.
In responding to your specific questions:
1) Although you're certainly on the older end for starting your MBA, it is certainly possible. Most classes will have individuals (though the number varies) who are in their mid- to late-30s. (Some classes even host a few applicants in their 40s.) What it generally boils down to is the story you tell and how you demonstrate that you "need" an MBA--specifically, this MBA from this particular program. So, if you feel that you need an MBA, then certainly apply. And, as others will likely point out, you do have the option to explore an Executive MBA too, if that is of interest to you.
2) Your age and experience may make it more difficult for you to earn some scholarships, but it is possible. Think less of the scholarship opportunities and more about the investment for your future--given that you have a particular post-MBA career interest in mind and you seem passionate about pursuing your next career step, would not receiving a scholarship actually stop you?
3) You should certainly explore which M7 schools you may be interested in. While your undergraduate GPA is not especially strong (though it is in a difficult field), your GMAT and resume can make you competitive and I imagine you may have access to some high quality recommendations. What it's going to come down to is how you communicate your story, especially through your essays and your interviews. You must communicate to an admissions committee how an MBA is the most logical next step for you, especially given your age. It's a challenge, but if you're interested in the M7 opportunities and you think you can make compelling arguments for the particular schools you apply to, then it is certainly worth the effort.
Best of luck as you continue down this path. And if you'd like a free 30-min initial consultation from one of our admissions consultants to give you some additional perspective or recommendations as you make your decision, we'd be happy to help. https://www.wysegyde.com
09 Feb 2016, 23:13
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi Serc,
To add my two cents on this, you could look for a more senior role that would leverage your rich experience, including international nature of projects and large scale leadership responsibilities.
For your MBA applications, it would be good to demonstrate how you can contribute to the class discussions given your wealth of experiences.
All the best!
Edison
To add my two cents on this, you could look for a more senior role that would leverage your rich experience, including international nature of projects and large scale leadership responsibilities.
For your MBA applications, it would be good to demonstrate how you can contribute to the class discussions given your wealth of experiences.
All the best!
Edison
