Welcome to the last week of our 12-week series of answering prospective applicants' queries about various aspects of the intense and challenging MBA application process, including their eligibility for the program, age, GMAT prep, GPA, waitlist, employment gap, academic gap, job switch, second MBA, and much more.
This blog post includes queries from two candidates about the GMAT, the value of an MBA degree, and eligibility for MBA programs at age 35.
Query #1
Hi Poonam,
I’ve started with my applications to Smith Business School - Canada.
However, my GMAT scores on the first attempt are very low. I would like to ask you how risky will it be for me to apply with these scores? Am I over my head, or should I take the risk?
Thanks,
Disha (not real name)
Our Response
Hi Disha,
Thanks for reaching out. Here is our response :
You have not listed your GMAT. I would advise you to retake the GMAT and apply confidently with a stronger score. I don’t see any point in taking a risk. You have only three years of work experience, so there is no rush to apply for business school. You must put your best foot forward and apply with a 720+ GMAT score. You have not shared other aspects of your profile, namely career growth, work accomplishments, leadership experiences, and extracurricular activities. Accept challenging projects at work, get involved with an NGO, get certification/course relevant to your work, and aim for a 720 + GMAT score.
I hope it helped,
Poonam
Query #2
Dear Madam,
Through this mail, I am seeking to gain some insight into GMAT and the advantage it will give me in my career.
I completed my graduation in engineering in electronics in 2011. I have been a deputy manager in India’s largest Public sector bank for the last five years. I have dealt with MSME credit and general banking. I am 33 years old. Someone advised me to go for GMAT, score well above 700 and go for MBA from a top university.
I have two queries:-
Q1. Will it be beneficial for me? I can work hard and secure about 720-740 but will my profile be eligible for selection in top B Schools, especially top 5.
Q2. I will be 35/36 by the time I complete my MBA. So considering my age and profile, will companies abroad hire me even if I get selected in the top 10 B Schools?
Kindly reply. I want some guidance. I hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Pramod ( not real name)
Our Response:
Hello Pramod,
Thanks for reaching out.
Please find below our response to your queries (blue font)
I completed my graduation in engineering in electronics in 2011. I have been a deputy manager in India’s largest Public sector bank for the last five years. I have dealt with MSME credit and general banking. I am 33 years old. Someone advised me to go for GMAT, score well above 700 and go for MBA from a top university.
First, do not plan for an MBA based on someone else’s saying. Please give it a serious thought and dig deep into your work experience and future career plans. If you believe a management education will fill the gaps in your knowledge and bring you closer to your career goals, then go for it and begin researching programs that will be a good ‘fit’ for you.
Q1. Will it be beneficial for me? I can work hard and secure about 720-740, but will my profile be eligible for selection in top B Schools, especially top 5.
You will begin preparing for the GMAT only after you are convinced that an MBA will help you advance your career. GMAT is just one component (though critical) of the MBA admission process. B schools take a holistic view of applicants’ profiles. So your personal and professional stories- career growth, accomplishments, leadership experience, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work, play an equally important role in your application. A 740 G MAT ( or even a 770 GMAT) will help you get your foot in the door and give you the confidence to apply to your target schools, but it alone will not GET you into any program.
Q2. I will be 35 /36 by the time I complete my MBA. So considering my age and profile, will companies abroad hire me even if I get selected in the top 10 B Schools?
The competition for the top 10-15 programs is fierce. Still, if you get accepted into a good program, the companies will not reject you only o the basis of age. If the schools accept your age and experience, companies will also take you if you fulfill their selection criteria. However, you may have to wait for a couple of years to get to the position you aspire for.
You may benefit from the experience and advice of a former MER student who pursued his MBA from Schulich with ten years of work experience.
A Schulich Grad Shares Experience and Advice
Also, look at the debriefs of some 30+ MER students who got accepted into good programs.
Booth Admit with a scholarship
Click below for previous week's Queries :
MER Answers MBA-Related Questions
Related Resources
10 Key Essay Tips with Examples
Success stories of MER students in their own words
Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped hundreds of applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)
You may email Poonam at poonam@myessayreview.com with questions about your application for the 2022-23 admission cycle.
