| *Find out why achieving ballpark GMAT Score is | | | | number of applicants from these backgrounds, |
| sufficient | | | | competition is rife within these two categories. |
| *Discover how Top MBA Schools allocate vacancies | | | | Naturally, investment banking and management |
| *Learn why your profile and MBA Essay might be the | | | | consulting make up the most competitive categories |
| most important factor | | | | as the MBA is necessary career advancement |
| *Find out what not to include in your essay | | | | measure for people working in these industries. On |
| For anyone applying to an MBA programme in a top | | | | the other hand, the non-profit category sees the |
| business school, your GMAT score counts as one of | | | | least competition. Along with the token lawyers, |
| the most important determinant on whether you gain | | | | doctors, government civil servants and those with |
| entry into the programme, regardless of your | | | | military background, these applicants, even with their |
| extensive work experience or undergraduate GPA. | | | | modest GMAT scores, are chosen for the depth and |
| Score within the range of 630 to 730 | | | | unique perspectives they can offer to the class. This |
| However, the GMAT is only the first step to your | | | | shows that an exemplary GMAT score doesn't |
| programme of choice. Working smart to aim for a | | | | necessarily buy you a sure ticket into the top schools |
| score that ranges in the ballpark of the mid 600s | | | | as they are willing to trade modest GMAT scores for |
| should be sufficient to gain you entry into a top | | | | valuable experience. |
| programme. Considering the 80% range of GMAT | | | | Although not dictated by a specific policy or category |
| admission scores for typical top schools figure | | | | quota in their selection process, admission officers |
| between 630 and 730, scoring within this ballpark | | | | tend to subscribe to these grouping guidelines to |
| range will probably buy you your ticket through this | | | | ensure that the competition is somewhat fair. |
| first step into the programme. Therefore, contrary to | | | | Crafting the Killer Essay |
| many people's believe, scoring below a school's media | | | | Now that you know who you're competing against, |
| 80% range as they would usually state in their | | | | the next step is learning how to craft an application |
| admission prospectus doesn't immediately eliminate | | | | essay that shines against the rest. Instead of talking |
| your admission chances. As such, retaking the test | | | | about what the school can do for you in the essay, |
| might not necessarily boost your admission chances. | | | | elaborate on how you think you can contribute and |
| Instead, once your GMAT score falls within this | | | | add value to the school. |
| ballpark range, focus your efforts on preparing for | | | | You can do this by highlighting your unique work and |
| the application essay. This next important state might | | | | personal experiences that others in your class can |
| just work better to help you stand out against the | | | | learn from. These could be special projects you've |
| rest. | | | | worked on or rare opportunities at work. Remember |
| Breakdown of MBA Applicants | | | | that many applicants in the consulting and finance |
| Typically, you will be competing in categories based | | | | categories might also have come from big firms so |
| on your work background. This levels the playing field | | | | talking about this generic work experience just |
| for applicants and admission officers in selecting | | | | because of its prestige would not do much to make |
| successful candidates. Majority of the applicants | | | | you stand out. Rather, you should convince the |
| comprise of those who come from the finance and | | | | admissions officer that you have accumulated |
| consulting industries and have scored well above | | | | interesting and insightful experience that you are |
| average in the 700 range for their GMAT. Many work | | | | ready to share with your classmates. |
| with prestigious asset management companies, | | | | Writing about oneself can be a daunting task having |
| consulting firms and investment banks. | | | | to sift through all the information and decide what to |
| Hence, if acceptance was based solely on GMAT | | | | put into your essay. Some information can seem |
| scores, classes would be made up of almost | | | | rather mundane to you but interesting to others. |
| exclusively applicants from these categories. In order | | | | While many have interesting experiences worthy of |
| to balance the class dynamics, admission officers | | | | making it into the essay, it's not knowing what the |
| have a class profile in mind, and select applicants | | | | schools are looking for and putting their thoughts |
| based on this profile that will ensure a good mix of | | | | down in words that they get stumped with. |
| students that each brings something different to the | | | | Furthermore, it can be assumed that many of these |
| table. | | | | applicants are better at their mathematical skills over |
| Therein lies their challenge to put together a diversity | | | | language skills, given that they are applying for an |
| and well-roundedness such that the students from a | | | | MBA course. |
| wide range of work backgrounds and experiences | | | | Talk through your work experience with someone |
| complement each other while working on | | | | who is able to offer a fresh perspective in deciding |
| assignments together, especially since many are | | | | what's interesting about your background, then work |
| collaborative and interdisciplinary. | | | | to pen it down in a clear and concise way. Work |
| The proportion that most intakes end up with is an | | | | towards a ballpark range GMAT score and an |
| estimated 60 to 65% from the finance and consulting | | | | insightful essay, and you might just be on your way |
| categories. However, with the disproportionate | | | | into the top business school of your choice! |