tydsheets
Hi all,
I'm in the heat of GMAT prep and trying to get everything lined up to apply for Fall 2021 matriculation. My top schools are Yale SOM, Darden, Haas, Ross, and Kenan-Flagler. I'm coming into this process from an educational nonprofit management setting with some analytical duties, but not much, so I know I'll need to show out on quant and perhaps even complete some coursework before all is said and done.
My questions are:
1. Should I wait until I have reached my goal GMAT score (700, latest practice test 620- Q35 V40) before even thinking about taking on pre-MBA coursework?
2. Is it a problem that, at this point, I won't have completed some fundamentals like economics, data analytics, etc. before completing first round applications? Can I confidently list that these courses are in progress and achieve the same goal of demonstrating my commitment to academic rigor and bolstering these skills to prove that I will be successful in an MBA program?
3. Which programs for pre-MBA coursework should I be considering? I would like to do CORe with HBS Online, but didn't know if the rigor and quality of the courses justified the cost. What others should I be considering, or is CORe the most desirable?Thank you!
1. Should I wait until I have reached my goal GMAT score (700, latest practice test 620- Q35 V40) before even thinking about taking on pre-MBA coursework?
Yes, unless you're free as a bird. Because the HBX CORe and other courses do require time commitment of 10-12 hours per week depending on the cohort and the pace you join.
2. Is it a problem that, at this point, I won't have completed some fundamentals like economics, data analytics, etc. before completing first round applications? Can I confidently list that these courses are in progress and achieve the same goal of demonstrating my commitment to academic rigor and bolstering these skills to prove that I will be successful in an MBA program?
It's the bluff card, saying that you've completed xyz and haven't but please don't consider those options as the only ones. It also depends on your background and GMAT, so if you have a 760, no one will think about challenging your cognitive skills. Also, business schools such as MIT, CBS, Georgetown give you access to pre MBA coursework when you are admitted.
3. Which programs for pre-MBA coursework should I be considering? I would like to do CORe with HBS Online, but didn't know if the rigor and quality of the courses justified the cost. What others should I be considering, or is CORe the most desirable?
Coursera, edX, Udemy etc, all great places. Quite frankly I completed 30 coursera specialisations, yet HBX CORe is just a bit overrated. However, positively looked upon by the AdCom.