Should I quit my Job for or Not ??

Question

Hello all;

Actually, I am a prospective MBA student and will be applying to US Business School for Fall 2018. I am an Electrical Engineer and have a core Technical Experience of 36 months. I am thinking to quit my job next month so that I could concentrate on GRE and TOEFL preparation and then on Business School Applications.

Can you please suggest me is it a feasible idea or should I continue my job and study at the same time? Moreover, not doing a Full-time job will create any negative impact on MBA Application/Interviews or on Visa Interview?

Looking forward for replies.

Thanks

MBABoss · Answer

If I was you I would speak to my employer and ask about taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. MBA programs like to admit winners, and winners are gainfully employed. Take a month or so to get your application ready, then go back to work.

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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

builtok · Answer

I am on the same boat as you. I will be applying this fall for MBA programs and I just quit my job. I worked about 90-100 hour weeks, and did not have any opportunity to sit down and focus on my studies. I realized I had to quit when my first practice test I scored a 650. I studied through my phone using apps for a few weeks, then retook it and scored a 630. That's when I realized this was not going to work. I quit my job recently and spend approximately 8-10 hours a day studying. Within a week I took a practice test and I just scored a 690.

I think it is personally worth it for me because 
A. I had money saved in the bank to quit and have 0 financial responsibilities other than rent. (no family to support)
B. I did not have any time where I could sit down somewhere quiet and study for long periods of time
C. I have the motivation to study normal work hours.

I will take the GMAT at the end of June, and then finish my applications then will most likely travel then look for a job to hold me over until school starts. Hope this helps and you're able to make an optimal decision for yourself.

LeonidK · Answer

Hello, You can find pretty much great stories about successful preparation without leaving their job. So work on your study plan. You can find some videos and articles on GmatClub. Try to dedicate at least one hour per day. Good luck

99Colleges · Answer

Hi cerii82,

I would suggest not to quit your job for GRE and TOEFL prep. First, the gap in employment isn’t viewed positively in the admission process and, second, what happens if you don’t get into your target school (this happens all the time). If the worst case scenario unfolds, you’ll be stranded without a job at least for few months. The best option, as suggested, is to squeeze out time by asking for leave or whatever… I’ve rarely seen people quitting jobs to prepare for GRE/ GMAT. If so many others can pull it off, there is no reason why you can’t.

beefcakeharsh · Answer

DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB.

If you are jobless you do not exist for the world.

I lost my job in October 2016 because of the global downturn in the Oil industry and applying to a business school without a job is a pain.

You will have to answer additional essays explaining why are you jobless.

Some schools have mandatory field - "current job"

It adds to the stress.

Coordinating to the referees will be difficult.

Depending on the country, visa application needs bank and tax statements. Some even need salary slip.

Please note that you are applying within a highly competitive application pool and employment is something that the Admissions Committee will keep in mind when reviewing your application. Kindly be advised that your current unemployment may have an effect on your application - This was the reply that I got from one of the schools after having 8+ years of exp and 4+ is international exp.

MBADecoder · Answer

ceril,

As you have already been told by others on this thread, quitting your job is never a good idea. Taking a leave without pay is a far, far better option.

Quitting your job is a very myopic approach- what if you do not get admission into business school this year? You would still land up with a substantial gap before you get the next job. And as beefcakeharsh has explained, you will need to justify this gap in your applications. Telling the adcom, you quit for GMAT prep does not impress. More so, because other applicants also take GMAT with hectic work schedules; then so can you.

Also, b-schools count your work experience until you matriculate. If you quit now, what will you do between applications deadlines and next fall, when classes start? This lack of work experience will also cost you heavily.

mbaaspirant80 · Answer

Dear cerii, 
Let us divide your preparation in 2 parts 
 first :  TOEFL study : TOEFL score is required when your graduation is in non English Language. If you have completed your electrical engineering where teaching language was English then you do not need TOEFL score . In my View There is no point in wasting time in that preparation.
 Second :  GRE /GMAT study: for this preparation around 200 hrs study is required . If you can spare daily 2 hrs after office and on weekend 6- 8 hrs then you do not need to quit job. There are so many people who have scored very high while working.
good luck for your prep.
Thanks

mbaaspirant80 · Answer

In addition to my post , Yes you can take sabotage few days/week, if you face very hectic schedule.
Remember GMAT is a game of punctuality. you have to stick to schedule . You have to study daily. you cant sat like you study one day 4 hrs and next day 0 hrs . GMAT requires daily practice.

cerii82 · Answer

Thanks to all of you for the suggestion.

Can anyone tell me how is it possible for the Admission Committee to know about my Job Status.??

They just need to provide the Recommendation Letter (which I would arrange from my Immediate Manager) and Work Experience Letter ( I already have an updated Experience Letter of 36 months ).

abhimahna · Answer

Remember Admission Committee always do the background check before admitting you. If you say you are working but actually you are not, they will reach out to the employer and reject you in case of discrepancy.

If you tell them that you are not working anywhere, you need to provide a solid reason to them. Ideally, it will have a bad impression on them.

MBADecoder · Answer

That would be a bad (unethical) start to a process that is meant to nurture you as an honest and consequential leader. You will risk your offers being rescinded if you are found out

Should I quit my Job for or Not ??

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