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Berk2Mba
Joined: 21 Jul 2020
Last visit: 01 Jun 2021
Posts: 24
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Location: United States (MA)
Schools: Goizueta "23 (S) BU Questrom '23 (WL) McCombs '23 (D) Northeastern (WL) Consortium (D) Kelley '23 (D) Johnson'23 (II)
Schools: Goizueta "23 (S) BU Questrom '23 (WL) McCombs '23 (D) Northeastern (WL) Consortium (D) Kelley '23 (D) Johnson'23 (II)
Posts: 24
Kudos:
5
29 Mar 2021, 11:37
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Hi all,
So as the name suggests, I'm hoping to get an MBA after graduating from Berklee (College of Music) with an abysmal CGPA of 2.6 and the only math-like course being 'acoustics'. (It was a seven years ago and I knew literally, nothing, about the corporate world- I was going to be the next John Mayer
and never heard "That's a terrible idea").
I'm not worried about my experience or story- I've always tested well on standardized tests - 92nd percentile for SAT & ACT, and I'm pulling out all the stops in order to hit my target score on the GRE. I also founded a SAAS product for Higher-Ed used by international universities, and working as a startup ideation consultant for founders and entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups and working as a consultant for a few diversity-focused community boards/groups. I also have a few years of professional experience in lower-level business administration and HR, as well as professional experience in the TV, Film, and Music industries. I have a mostly-useless international MA - also in music. If it matters, I'm BAME/BIPOC.
However, I know that NONE of my academic experience says, "Pick me! I'm a good candidate for MBA-Level Academic work". I currently work in analyst and associate recruiting for a smaller consulting firm and understand how important experience and UG/PG GPA are.
I'm wondering what courses does the community recommend taking to supplement my previous academic career.
I'm thinking:
Macro/and or Micro economics, Data Analytics or something else quant-based. Maybe just start with the basics such as stats? I want to go into Human Capital or HR Strategy but know that schools want to see your quant skills.
I'm already completing MBAmath's program, on my own. I want to show effort where (financially) possible.
I'm also wondering - How important is it to take those courses from your target schools. To be honest, the price of a 3-credit course is pretty cost prohibitive for me - $4,700 for a 3-credit, 6-week summer session at Cornell (reach) vs. $3k @McCombs (target), and $630 The local Community college
I'm not even sure who to ask at my target schools for this type of advice... thoughts?
Thank you in advance
Posted from my mobile device
So as the name suggests, I'm hoping to get an MBA after graduating from Berklee (College of Music) with an abysmal CGPA of 2.6 and the only math-like course being 'acoustics'. (It was a seven years ago and I knew literally, nothing, about the corporate world- I was going to be the next John Mayer
and never heard "That's a terrible idea").I'm not worried about my experience or story- I've always tested well on standardized tests - 92nd percentile for SAT & ACT, and I'm pulling out all the stops in order to hit my target score on the GRE. I also founded a SAAS product for Higher-Ed used by international universities, and working as a startup ideation consultant for founders and entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups and working as a consultant for a few diversity-focused community boards/groups. I also have a few years of professional experience in lower-level business administration and HR, as well as professional experience in the TV, Film, and Music industries. I have a mostly-useless international MA - also in music. If it matters, I'm BAME/BIPOC.
However, I know that NONE of my academic experience says, "Pick me! I'm a good candidate for MBA-Level Academic work". I currently work in analyst and associate recruiting for a smaller consulting firm and understand how important experience and UG/PG GPA are.
I'm wondering what courses does the community recommend taking to supplement my previous academic career.
I'm thinking:
Macro/and or Micro economics, Data Analytics or something else quant-based. Maybe just start with the basics such as stats? I want to go into Human Capital or HR Strategy but know that schools want to see your quant skills.
I'm already completing MBAmath's program, on my own. I want to show effort where (financially) possible.
I'm also wondering - How important is it to take those courses from your target schools. To be honest, the price of a 3-credit course is pretty cost prohibitive for me - $4,700 for a 3-credit, 6-week summer session at Cornell (reach) vs. $3k @McCombs (target), and $630 The local Community college
I'm not even sure who to ask at my target schools for this type of advice... thoughts?
Thank you in advance
Posted from my mobile device
PersonalMBACoach
Expert
Personal MBA Coach Founder
Joined: 11 Sep 2010
Last visit: 24 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,807
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 11
Status:Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting from a Wharton graduate - Helping applicants get into top global business schools since 2008
Affiliations: Wharton, MIT
Location: United States (NY)
Overall Client Admit Rate: 96%
Expert reply
31 Mar 2021, 11:41
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Berk2Mba
Hi there Berk2Mba,
Thank you for sharing. It is key that you secure a very strong GRE score to make up for your low undergrad GPA.
As for your journey from Berklee to an MBA, I would not worry too much that this is not the conventional path – there is no one profile of an MBA candidate. While Personal MBA Coach works with “typical” candidates like management consultants and investment bankers, we also have clients who are opera singers, musicians, nonprofit leaders, teachers, marketing professionals, family business professionals (the list goes on).
Though it sounds like you have steered away from the music industry and into consulting, we can still help you develop a compelling story that highlights your unique career path and shows why pursuing an MBA is the right move for you at this point in your life.
Building a target school list is a key component of Personal MBA Coach’s comprehensive and early MBA planning services. Feel free to send a note to [email protected] to learn more about how we can help you develop strong applications that demonstrate your readiness for MBA-level academic work!
Regards,
Personal MBA Coach
05 Apr 2021, 06:35
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Hi Berk2Mba
Well! the correct answer for that question would be, It Depends! Though GRE/GMAT score is a very important factor in deciding your admission, it need not be the only and ultimate deciding factor in your MBA admissions. B-school admission departments do give exceptions to candidates with glorious profiles and distinct work experience or backgrounds. However, don’t expect too much leverage in the scoring department because the test score is very crucial to get shortlisted for the other admission rounds.
Candidates would get leverage in GRE score in case of outstanding professional track record. You could also get an exception from very high GRE scores in case you belong to a minority background.
Well! the correct answer for that question would be, It Depends! Though GRE/GMAT score is a very important factor in deciding your admission, it need not be the only and ultimate deciding factor in your MBA admissions. B-school admission departments do give exceptions to candidates with glorious profiles and distinct work experience or backgrounds. However, don’t expect too much leverage in the scoring department because the test score is very crucial to get shortlisted for the other admission rounds.
Candidates would get leverage in GRE score in case of outstanding professional track record. You could also get an exception from very high GRE scores in case you belong to a minority background.
