Rejected From All Masters Programs Advice Needed Very Discouraged

Question

Hi All,

Have used the forum before but first time making a post. A few months ago I was rejected from all dozen Masters programs I applied to with a 580 score on my fourth attempt. Was waitlisted on a few programs and was shocked to find out two applicants at one program had their admissions rescinded because of there applications standardized test scores. This greatly discouraged me even more after researching and realized this was more common than I thought.

However, that is beside the point and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get the score I need against all the odds. Have used multiple test prep companies with no jump on the actual score after studying for 6 months. Used basically all the strategies on here including keeping an error log and more yet have been stuck on the high 500's low 600's. Also at the crossroads because I am currently unemployed after being laid off from work at the begining of the year and getting into a Masters program was my last hope. Was considering getting a tutor but now that is not possible due to not having surplus income. Again, any advice will be greatly appreciated from anyone.

Thank You.

MBABoss · Answer

I don't want to get you down, but a masters program is not for everyone, especially in finance, or MBA. You should consider a professional designation in your profession that is focussed on practical skills. You can usually work at a designation at your own pace, and look for jobs at the same time. Maybe in a couple years you'll be in a better head space to pursue a masters degree, but it sounds like your focus is off.

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broall · Answer

From your post, I think that your main problem is now just low GMAT score, right?

Sorry for your discourage feeling, but is it a good idea to do Master progams while you are still in trouble financially? I think it is not.

Generally, Master programs as well as MBA programs are useful for anyone who already had experience, especially leadership roles. This means that in case that you dont have enough experience, Master or MBA programs will provive you no useful things for your career but time wasting and financial burden.

Also, it's really sad to hear that you have been laid off from work recently. However, you should not consider doing Master or MBA programs a way to escape. You could have nothing to make up your CV and your profile could have no advantage to the admission council. This suggests that your profile could be a reason for your rejection?

After all, I think the best way now you could do is to calm down. Just focus on your trouble time and try to find out what is going on, why you are laid off from work, why you don't find new job, what your strengths are so you could show off them, and so on...

There are a lot of unanswered questions that you need to deal with, not just how to improve your GMAT score. Maybe your hard time could effect your feelings and this leads to your low score. The most important now is you need to calm dowm, find new job and draw an effective long-term strategy for your life.

Good luck!

Rhymenocerous · Answer

Dear MosDef123:Firstly don't get discouraged and also do not let a test score dictate your life. Secondly, practice makes perfect! Practice as much as you can. Please review and redo all problems as many times as it takes you to get them correct in less than 2 minutes. Research all of your schools beforehand so you only apply to schools that accept students that have similar stats to yours. Research your schools. Doing research takes an unbelievable amount of time -perhaps at least 100 hours- but it is completely necessary to gain admission into Grad School. I believe that there is a school for everyone out there; just make sure that it makes financial sense for you to attend it.
Practice as much as you can for the GMAT, and find those schools for which your probability of getting admitted is high! You can do it!

SHire2709 · Answer

Hello,

Don't be disheartened, start with all the rigour again and study to understand not just to score. Also if you are not keen on tutor have you considered online courses?

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MOSDEF123 · Answer

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies I also should have been a little more specific. SHire unfortunately, I have taken an online course as well as bought study books and that did not help my score in the end. Spent a total of about $2,000 in study materials and almost that much in applications.

Rhymenocerous, I actually did research quite extensively (maybe not enough? although I did put plenty of hours in) and all the schools which had great job placement needed at least a 600 excluding online programs which I was told by admissions consultants were more geared towards people already in a career which leads me to my next point.

nguyendinhtuong, actually from the program I was applying to the work experience was largely a non-factor. Almost all the programs I applied to had perfect or nearly perfect job placement with close to six figures and the placement numbers for those with experience versus without were pretty miniscule at least from what I saw. Also I should have clarified that my job had little or nothing to do with my degree but I had already planned to apply before I was laid off.

Finally, MBABoss I understand what you are saying, but the job market seemed to be, at least for me pretty dry I have been proactively searching for over two months. I have been looking for work for a little while and the discouragement is more from wanting to do something that I can't versus any financial pressure. I just feel like I have been dealt a bad hand as I know what I want to do, but an exam that has almost nothing to do with my career pursuits has been holding me back.

Lastly, I felt that a tutor would be my best option at this point since I felt that at this point I need someone to personally get me encouraged. At this point I need someone to explain problems to curtail my needs because I just can't see another circle or triangle and give a care in the world lol, but that can only be accomplished with a flow of income and I am not burdening my family anymore after not keeping my promise of getting into graduate school. Thanks everyone for your replies and if you have anything to add that you think may be even remotely encouraging even non-GMAT for an economics major looking for work in the field it would be greatly appreciated.

Rhymenocerous · Answer

All you need is the motivation necessary to endure countless hours of doing problems that you will get wrong many times before you get them right. I can tell you from my experience that preparing for the GMAT is actually horrible; it is too hard. Find the motivation to work as hard as you need to get your desired score. I don't know if that was encouraging but I will tell you this: I am sure that you can get a 700+ score!  Practice makes perfect! Practice, practice, practice and then practice a little bit more. Keep re-doing a problem until you get it right, and do as many problems as you can.  Spending money in tutors and guidebooks will only help you if you find the motivation to study as hard as you need to.   If you do not have the motivation at this moment, take a rest and invest your time in something else. When you find your motivation, work as hard and for as long as you need to and you will get an amazing score.   I am sure that you can do it!

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Rejected From All Masters Programs Advice Needed Very Discouraged

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