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rjkaufman21
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What is considered unusual work experience? Updated on: 28 Mar 2013, 08:42
Originally posted by rjkaufman21 on 06 May 2011, 21:04.
Last edited by rjkaufman21 on 28 Mar 2013, 08:42, edited 1 time in total.
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bakfed
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What is considered unusual work experience? 06 May 2011, 23:39
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rjdunn03
Hello, just reading through this thread since I have a low GPA and am looking to apply to business schools.

What sort of work experience is considered unusual?

I have a science background from a pretty decent, and large private university. Now I am a research and development scientist for a food ingredients company, we do project work developing flavors and flavor profiles for food companies like general mills, kraft, nestle etc. Its basically chemistry - a lot of lab and bench work. I consider it something uncommon, but what do you think?

Secondly, like I said, my GPA is low - a 3.16. I haven't taken the GMAT yet, but I hope to kill it to help make up for my low GPA. Hopefully a high GMAT and unusual work experience will make up for my hideous GPA?

I also have 2 years living in Guatemala as a Mormon. Anyone have any insight on how something like a mormon mission is viewed by the adcoms??
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I think your current job will be considered, more or less, unusual. Your GPA is not super low but you will need a higher GMAT score to boost your chance at a top b-school. Your 2-year living in Guatemala will make good story, but it will all depend on how you spin it. Your biggest challenge is probably not your GPA, but rather it'll be your work experience that needs clarification. Scientists are known, stereotypically, for their anti-social bahavior. The job of a scientist, whether it's a chemist or a biologist, usually involves sitting in front of a fume hood, spinning with rotovap or a BSC, tissue culturing/splitting cells, doing some scientific findings. You'll need to translate your skills from your current work experience into your essay and describe how you will be able to achieve what you want to achieve post-MBA. If you can do that, you'll be in good shape. At this point, without a GMAT score, it'll be too hard to gauge your chance. Study as hard and as much as you can for your GMAT and aim for a 700+ score. Without a 700, you'll most likely face some heavy scrutiny on your application if you're targeting top b-school.
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rjkaufman21
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What is considered unusual work experience? 07 May 2011, 10:46
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Thanks, I really appreciate the input. Yeah I see what you mean. It is a lot of time in the lab, but because it is all client based work, there is also a lot of client management involved. On every project we do, we are competing with other companies for the business. We do work for a ton of different companies, and occasionally we travel to key accounts for trial runs and to work with their project teams to look for new business opportunities. I will try to incorporate that aspect of my job into what I write on my essays, and - as you said - talk about how my technical background ties in with my plans for an MBA.

Thanks again, I hadn't really thought about that.