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14 Nov 2016, 14:11
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Thanks very much for your help! I took the GMAT last week and got a 780 (Q50 V8). I am planning to go into nonprofit management and would like to apply to an MBA program sometime in the next five years, but because my work experience is relatively limited, I'm trying to figure out what would be the best year for me to apply.
Demographics: 25-year-old white guy
Undergrad: Top 5 liberal arts college; 3.63 GPA, B.A. in Psychology
I'm currently in a Master of Social Work program at a school in Texas.
Experience: 1.5 years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member--I spoke to faith communities about unaccompanied minors fleeing to the US from Central America and preared an educational toolkit on forced migration.
I'll complete 1,000 hours as a social work intern as part of my program (so maybe half a year full-time equivalent?).
I spent a year in a Catholic religious order, but realized I was not called to celibacy--thus the transition to social work.
Following my graduation from the MSW in 2018, I plan to work in the social services/mental health sector. I would ultimately wish to work as an administrator in this field, which is why I'm interested in an MBA.
My questions are: (1 What year should I apply to enter an MBA program the following year, assuming I work full-time after graduating? I know that experience is my weak spot right now. I'd like to apply sooner rather than later, but I also wouldn't want to jeopardize my chances.
(2 What would my chances be at these schools (I may narrow this list down as time goes on):
1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Wharton
4. Cornell (My dad did law school here but I doubt there's any legacy tradition)
5. Georgetown
6. Columbia
7. UVA (sister did undergrad here; I may become an in-state resident)
8. UT
Thanks again! P.S. I'm typing from a phone, so apologies for any typos.
Demographics: 25-year-old white guy
Undergrad: Top 5 liberal arts college; 3.63 GPA, B.A. in Psychology
I'm currently in a Master of Social Work program at a school in Texas.
Experience: 1.5 years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member--I spoke to faith communities about unaccompanied minors fleeing to the US from Central America and preared an educational toolkit on forced migration.
I'll complete 1,000 hours as a social work intern as part of my program (so maybe half a year full-time equivalent?).
I spent a year in a Catholic religious order, but realized I was not called to celibacy--thus the transition to social work.
Following my graduation from the MSW in 2018, I plan to work in the social services/mental health sector. I would ultimately wish to work as an administrator in this field, which is why I'm interested in an MBA.
My questions are: (1 What year should I apply to enter an MBA program the following year, assuming I work full-time after graduating? I know that experience is my weak spot right now. I'd like to apply sooner rather than later, but I also wouldn't want to jeopardize my chances.
(2 What would my chances be at these schools (I may narrow this list down as time goes on):
1. Yale
2. Harvard
3. Wharton
4. Cornell (My dad did law school here but I doubt there's any legacy tradition)
5. Georgetown
6. Columbia
7. UVA (sister did undergrad here; I may become an in-state resident)
8. UT
Thanks again! P.S. I'm typing from a phone, so apologies for any typos.
15 Nov 2016, 15:33
Kudos
Bookmarks
U5UWZLP5
Thanks very much for your help! I took the GMAT last week and got a 780 (Q50 V8).This is so exciting for you U5UWZLP5! Congratulations!!! I am planning to go into nonprofit management and would like to apply to an MBA program sometime in the next five years, but because my work experience is relatively limited, I'm trying to figure out what would be the best year for me to apply.
Demographics: 25-year-old white guy Sense of humor- check!
Undergrad: Top 5 liberal arts college; 3.63 GPA, B.A. in Psychology
I'm currently in a Master of Social Work program at a school in Texas.
Experience: 1.5 years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member--I spoke to faith communities about unaccompanied minors fleeing to the US from Central America and preared an educational toolkit on forced migration.
I'll complete 1,000 hours as a social work intern as part of my program (so maybe half a year full-time equivalent?).
I spent a year in a Catholic religious order, but realized I was not called to celibacy--thus the transition to social work.Again, points for humor and honesty!
Following my graduation from the MSW in 2018, I plan to work in the social services/mental health sector. I would ultimately wish to work as an administrator in this field, which is why I'm interested in an MBA.
My questions are: (1 What year should I apply to enter an MBA program the following year, assuming I work full-time after graduating? I know that experience is my weak spot right now. I'd like to apply sooner rather than later, but I also wouldn't want to jeopardize my chances.
(2 What would my chances be at these schools (I may narrow this list down as time goes on):
1. Yale Yale has some excellent social enterprise resources and I could see you resonating there
2. Harvard I don't see this as much of a fit- I would work on cultivating examples of leadership in work, extracurriculars, etc.
3. WhartonCertainly you'd meet the GMAT screen but cultivating a clearer WHY for the MBA that you can hopefully develop from your work
4. Cornell (My dad did law school here but I doubt there's any legacy tradition)
5. Georgetown
6. Columbia
7. UVA (sister did undergrad here; I may become an in-state resident)
8. UT
Thanks again! P.S. I'm typing from a phone, so apologies for any typos.
So rather than just go down the list- yes- the GMAT will get you noticed, but at the top tier like H/W/S you are also going to need a clearer WHY. What I suggest you do is start learning about all these programs- go to the info chats online, visit where you can and just get a sense of where you feel comfortable. Then I would work at least a year after Masters and have a passion for some particular area- is it working with youth? Is it youth rehabilitation? Something specific and then have some slightly more developed ideas of how the MBA can help. I would suggest you look at doing a pre-development program- we offer one- where you can see how to shore up all areas of application- work, leadership etc before you apply. I suggest that whenever you do apply that you do it in R1 as that gives you best options for scholarships and also best chances. I also think if you want to do social work type things that you look at some programs- more like in 8-18 range schools where you may have more fellowship potential. HOW you tell your story will play a big role- Adcom needs to understand WHY the MBA makes sense after the MSW- not just I took the GMAT and got a 780. To learn more how we help people like you prepare for best MBA outcomes, go to this link: https://stratusprep.com/free-consult/ Demographics: 25-year-old white guy Sense of humor- check!
Undergrad: Top 5 liberal arts college; 3.63 GPA, B.A. in Psychology
I'm currently in a Master of Social Work program at a school in Texas.
Experience: 1.5 years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member--I spoke to faith communities about unaccompanied minors fleeing to the US from Central America and preared an educational toolkit on forced migration.
I'll complete 1,000 hours as a social work intern as part of my program (so maybe half a year full-time equivalent?).
I spent a year in a Catholic religious order, but realized I was not called to celibacy--thus the transition to social work.Again, points for humor and honesty!
Following my graduation from the MSW in 2018, I plan to work in the social services/mental health sector. I would ultimately wish to work as an administrator in this field, which is why I'm interested in an MBA.
My questions are: (1 What year should I apply to enter an MBA program the following year, assuming I work full-time after graduating? I know that experience is my weak spot right now. I'd like to apply sooner rather than later, but I also wouldn't want to jeopardize my chances.
(2 What would my chances be at these schools (I may narrow this list down as time goes on):
1. Yale Yale has some excellent social enterprise resources and I could see you resonating there
2. Harvard I don't see this as much of a fit- I would work on cultivating examples of leadership in work, extracurriculars, etc.
3. WhartonCertainly you'd meet the GMAT screen but cultivating a clearer WHY for the MBA that you can hopefully develop from your work
4. Cornell (My dad did law school here but I doubt there's any legacy tradition)
5. Georgetown
6. Columbia
7. UVA (sister did undergrad here; I may become an in-state resident)
8. UT
Thanks again! P.S. I'm typing from a phone, so apologies for any typos.
15 Nov 2016, 16:42
Kudos
Bookmarks
Thank you, that's very helpful! I definitely agree that at least a little post-MSW experience would be a good idea, since it would give me a better sense of where I want to concentrate anyway. Your point about the "WHY" of the application also resonates.
When you suggest working for at least a year, though, do you mean (1 a year before I apply, or (2 a year before I enter a program? I'm guessing the former, but I just wanted to make sure. Similarly, if I apply in the fall with 1 year of social work experience, but work full-time until I enter the program, will I be seen as having 1 year or 2 years of experience? I just wanted to know whether adcoms would take the work I plan to do in between applying and matriculating into account.
Thanks again!
When you suggest working for at least a year, though, do you mean (1 a year before I apply, or (2 a year before I enter a program? I'm guessing the former, but I just wanted to make sure. Similarly, if I apply in the fall with 1 year of social work experience, but work full-time until I enter the program, will I be seen as having 1 year or 2 years of experience? I just wanted to know whether adcoms would take the work I plan to do in between applying and matriculating into account.
Thanks again!
