Big dream/Poor profile

Question

What if someone at the age of 25years with no relevant work ex wants to make it into the ivy league. He is an Artist and has done theater shows(Stage/Street acting) from past 4 years. MBA with this profile looks impossible and stupid. So he started preparing for GMAT and got 720+ in mocks, he wants to take GMAT but still thinking to pay around 15k INR for the exam is it worth to take a shot?

He also dosent have good grades in graduation(44% out of 100) and has done it through distance learning, moreover he belongs to a below middle class family where people need good and extra ordinary reasons to study . Reason for MBA- Has learned to work hard in those 4 years and wants to get a good job and settle down.Now what should he do? Has anyone converted any top US bschool with this kind of background??

10th= 50%
12th= 66%
Graduation= 44% Bachelor in commerce Pass( Two reasons for doing grad. through distance learning one poor score so unable to make a cut in good government colleges, had no money to study in Private universities).

From school days he acted on number of street shows,so even after graduation he persuaded the same profession.But day by day its becoming difficult to survive as the per month income is too low.

Any suggestion/guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks

ErinaApphelp105 · Answer

Hi,

The question is why you want to earn an MBA at this stage? How will an MBA help to achieve your dreams/goals? If you are clear on these then it’s achievable. Let me know in case of further queries.

Regards
Erina

MBADecoder · Answer

I am assuming this post is about yourself, my apologies if I got that wrong! You have a lot of self doubt, which is not too good. B-schools do like super achievers or just achieveres, and self doubt eats into the confidence that stems from having achieved something. So, for your next query on this forum, try to write with a new perspective of having done all those great street shows, because of your passion for them and how you were able to impact your viewers' lives through the messages of your shows. Regarding your b-school apps - well your undergrad GPA is very low, and consider that to be a potential hazard. So you must try to score well in the GMAT - definitely upward of 720. Realistically speaking, the admissions would like to know why you want an MBA. A vague idea that an MBA degree will make your life better, or that it is like a magic pill for better life will not suffice. See, at this point you are thinking so much about spending Rs. 15,000 on the GMAT. The MBA itself will be a big blow financially, so you should have some solid reasons for doing it. They could be related to your current work. You have been acting so far, but eventually you may want to start a professionally run theatre, for which you do not have the wherewithals (knowledge, network etc.) to do so at present. And therefore you are seeking an MBA education to figure your way out. If your career goals are related to just being an actor, then an MBA will probably not be the right course for you. Namita, https://www.mbadecoder.com

PlanetEarth · Answer

Hi Namita

You are absolutely correct on my post mba goal and reason for doing mba.

I would like to start a production company and a Theater group basically who can work for Social cause(NGO), it will be more of taking government projects.

MBA will add a value in my resume moreover it will give me an exposure to the international market to get connected with right network.

Secondly as far as the diversity in the class is concern i will be the right candidate almost all the students will learn from me.For example i am very extrovert, expressive , how to attract people who are walking on road etc. Most importantly i have worked for many social causes just to make people more aware and attentive without any money.

Finally yes i want to do mba to earn money because a project wont just work on willingness it would need money.\

And yes i understand ivey would be difficult, i am open to quality programs and not just ivey.

Thank you would love to hear your response.

PlanetEarth · Answer

Hi Erina

I would like to start a production company and a Theater group basically who can work for Social cause(NGO), it will be more of taking government projects.

MBA will add a value in my resume moreover it will give me an exposure to the international market to get connected with right network.

Secondly as far as the diversity in the class is concern i will be the right candidate almost all the students will learn from me.For example i am very extrovert, expressive , how to attract people who are walking on road etc. Most importantly i have worked for many social causes just to make people more aware and attentive without any money.

Finally yes i want to do mba to earn money because a project wont just work on willingness it would need money.\

And yes i understand ivey would be difficult, i am open to quality programs and not just ivey.

Thank you would love to hear your response.

MBAPrepAdvantage · Answer

MBA schools like nontraditional applicants and especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. A high GMAT/GRE score would help, though, in showing that you do have the potential to excel at the program. You might consider the GRE since the exam costs less.

Reading the thread below I see you wish to start a production company and work for a social cause. There are combined MFA in Theater Management / MBA degrees. Earlier this year I helped an applicant gain acceptance to Yale’s program. I would recommend you research other programs you would be competitive for by starting here https://www.gradschools.com/search-progr ... ma/masters and cross-referencing these with MBA programs.

Good luck,

Michael Cohan
President
MBAPrepAdvantage
305-604-8178
https://www.mbaprepadvantage.com
https://www.mbaprepadvantage.com/blog
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MBAPrepAdvantage offers a free initial assessment to gauge your MBA admissions chances and the strength of your candidacy. Email us a brief description of your goals along with your target schools, resume, GPA, and GMAT score at [email protected].

PlanetEarth · Answer

That was a great help...Can you suggest me some good US bschool (target gmat 720).

My post graduation goal is to work for 5 years in the international market before starting my own project.Its has to advantages one is i will save some part of the money which i will invest,second i will make good contacts also this exposure will be very handy.

Basically i am looking for General management or MBA in finance domain.

Thank you.

Admissionado · Answer

Well, since Finance + General Management are the mainstays of every single MBA out there, (makeup 40-70% of pretty much every graduating class at every school) your answer is: any MBA!

(Meaning the BEST ones you can get into when the time is right).

MBAPrepAdvantage · Answer

In the U.S. you are looking at schools outside the Top 20. Have you considered looking at MBA schools in India like the different Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs)?

crossroad · Answer

From what I've read, granted I'm stilling researching my own b-school options, admissions directors will sometimes take financial and work situations into account while evaluating someone's undergraduate gpa.

As a theatre actor and street performer, you might have an interesting and unusual story that could impress adcoms.

As a theatre actor and street performer, you might have an interesting and unusual story that could impress adcoms.

MBAPrepAdvantage · Answer

Crossroads is correct. There are many mitigating factors for low grades of which financial and work circumstances play a factor. But the higher the GMAT score, the better the GMAT score corroborates your reasons.

Good luck,

Good luck,

Big dream/Poor profile

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