Live From MBA Chat
Q: Hi Mellisa, NYU Stern Vs UCLA, which should be my 1st preference for MBA with specialization in Media?
Mellisa: Both of those schools are currently ranked as the top for media (currently UCLA #1 and NYU #2) so I can’t really say one is better for you than the other. One’s in the west and one’s in the east....where would you like to study? Where would you like to end up post MBA? Sometimes it helps being closer to where you want to end up post MBA. I would visit both schools and get a feel for the campus, the students, professors etc (or join info sessions online or in your city if possible) to see which one is a better fit for you.
Q: Hi Mellisa, should I address my low gpa during graduate school in my optional essay if I have a GMAT 750 and a 3.6 undergrad gpa? And if the gpa does not appear in my transcript, what should I do in terms of reporting in the application? Thank you
Melissa: I wouldn’t bother in the optional essay as your GPA isn’t that low in fact! I would say yes if it was lower. But with your stellar gmat, I wouldn’t worry - what percentiles did you get on quant and verbal? Also why is your GPA not on the transcript?
Q: What do you think how one should answer these questions 1. Do you think MBA is a good investment of time and money? 2. Would you like to change anything at our B School? I am talking about interview specifically
Melissa: For number 1 I would just mention the ROI not in terms of financials but include the network, the experience, friends made, alumni, classroom experience (including diversity in the class), clubs, access to recruiters, etc. Those kinds of things are invaluable . For essay2 that is so odd. You obviously don’t know the school that well if you haven’t gone there! Are there things you have flagged in your research or talking to students that you wish was different? I guess you could start by focusing on the strengths of the school that you see - and be honest that it’s hard to identify what you would change until you’ve been through it. You could also speak to other students/alumni in advance and ask them about weakness of the school.
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