GMAT

[Stiffe]

Looking into going to do a MBA i have realized that techinical is probably not for me

I will be graduating with a EE degree from CSULB next spring.

How is the gmat? Did you do well on the first time you took it?
I was going to take it in August but seeing it 250$ to take it once i'm really going to study and then possibily take it a second time to see if i can improve my score.

What books did u use to study from? guides? what are good MBA schools...
i should prolly note that my school gpa will prolly be aroudn 2.6-2.8 out of 4.0. SO yeah...i'm NOT the smartest EE student around.

 

[CycloWizard]

Every engineer that I know that wants an MBA has been told to work a couple years then go back for it when it's on your company's dime. After a few years in the workplace, you'll get a lot more out of the classes and you won't have to pay for it. Plus the GPA probably won't be as much of a hindrance after you have some post-college experience. You might want to try posting this in Off Topic though - it will get a lot more views and a lot more responses.

 

[sjwaste]

You really can't go into a good MBA program right out of school. Most want work experience, and thats because the program itself is geared like a work environment. Lots of networking, especially. Not the nerdy kind, the building relationships kind

Most folks I know that have MBA's said the bulk of their learning came from their peers. That said, top programs want you to be one of those individuals that others can learn from in school.

There are conflicting studies, but MBA's have begun to decline in value, especially from schools not considered "elite" so it might be best to go to work for a while anyway and see what you really want to do.

You can stop reading here if you'd like, since this is now just my story, but I ended up with a 2.9 out of college, have worked for a while, and am now an evening law student. It's certainly been a strange journey to go from a more of a math/business background ( BBA economics/statistics as undergrad) to what's basically an advanced liberal arts degree (law), but I'm having a lot of fun doing it. Going at night isn't easy, but you do get to stack the rewards of a daytime career with an advanced degree.

I'm not trying to sell it to anyone, but some of the smartest law students I know have similar backgrounds, so if it interests you at all consider it. You'll start first year with an immediate edge in analytical ability, and that's what law is. If you're willing to study, you'd do very well.

 

[Bill Brasky]

You really can't go into a good MBA program right out of school. Most want work experience, and thats because the program itself is geared like a work environment. Lots of networking, especially. Not the nerdy kind, the building relationships kind

I don't think it's correct to say you can't get in a good MBA program right out of school. True, most prefer experience, but to say it can't be done...

But as far as the program being more like work and geared toward networking, I agree completly. Another benefit to waiting, is that your networking efforts can be more focused due to the direction you gained during your working experience.

 

[imported_trajan]

Originally posted by: sjwaste
You can stop reading here if you'd like, since this is now just my story, but I ended up with a 2.9 out of college, have worked for a while, and am now an evening law student. It's certainly been a strange journey to go from a more of a math/business background ( BBA economics/statistics as undergrad) to what's basically an advanced liberal arts degree (law), but I'm having a lot of fun doing it. Going at night isn't easy, but you do get to stack the rewards of a daytime career with an advanced degree.

I'm not trying to sell it to anyone, but some of the smartest law students I know have similar backgrounds, so if it interests you at all consider it. You'll start first year with an immediate edge in analytical ability, and that's what law is. If you're willing to study, you'd do very well.

I'm a full time law student right now (also used to work as a teacher/tutor for the GMAT if anyone has questions about it) but my sister in law took the part time route.. did law school nights for 5 years and worked full time. It worked out really great for her, she earned a living, kept her debt low, gained a lot of skills, and finished with a JD and got a Big Law job making six figures.

The flip side though is that I think she sent out something like 80 resumes and received 4 interviews and one job offer.. Many classmastes didn't get any. If you've got the grades and (equally vital) the money/loans to go full time at a *good* school, I think its a better way to go. Part time, though, has a lot of advantages and cuts your risk back significantly.

 

[Cattlegod]

from what i've heard you need 2-3 years of experience to get admitted into a good school.

my background:

BS. in computer engineering
3 years experience.

currently studying for the GMAT to apply for an MBA at U of M in about 2 months and my company is going to pay for it.

the main book that people use is the Official Guide version 11.

 

[patentman]

Originally posted by: trajan

Originally posted by: sjwaste
You can stop reading here if you'd like, since this is now just my story, but I ended up with a 2.9 out of college, have worked for a while, and am now an evening law student. It's certainly been a strange journey to go from a more of a math/business background ( BBA economics/statistics as undergrad) to what's basically an advanced liberal arts degree (law), but I'm having a lot of fun doing it. Going at night isn't easy, but you do get to stack the rewards of a daytime career with an advanced degree.

I'm not trying to sell it to anyone, but some of the smartest law students I know have similar backgrounds, so if it interests you at all consider it. You'll start first year with an immediate edge in analytical ability, and that's what law is. If you're willing to study, you'd do very well.

I'm a full time law student right now (also used to work as a teacher/tutor for the GMAT if anyone has questions about it) but my sister in law took the part time route.. did law school nights for 5 years and worked full time. It worked out really great for her, she earned a living, kept her debt low, gained a lot of skills, and finished with a JD and got a Big Law job making six figures.

The flip side though is that I think she sent out something like 80 resumes and received 4 interviews and one job offer.. Many classmastes didn't get any. If you've got the grades and (equally vital) the money/loans to go full time at a *good* school, I think its a better way to go. Part time, though, has a lot of advantages and cuts your risk back significantly.

Wow, interesing that there are so many law students in here. I also go to law school at night (I finish next may, thank god!). I'm not going to weigh in on the pros and cons of going part time at night or going full time during the day, other then to say that either way can work for anyone. I personally did not have any difficulty finding a job, but I work in patent law, and the market is still pretty hot in that area.

 

[WildHorse]

Double post deleted

 

[WildHorse]

GMAT is one of those fill in the bubble with pencil #2 tests, spanning a wide range of things like math, relationships among words not in most peoples' vocabularies, etc. Overall I?d say the GMAT was fairly challenging, but maybe mostly because you can?t help but feel some mental pressure due to its high importance to your future.

GMAT results are reported as both a score and a percentile for each of quant, verbal and total. To help you qualify for a top program you?ll hope for a total well up into the 700s.

Remember to not overweight the GMAT in estimating your admission prospects.
You?ll also want to prearrange for two people of high position to agree to write absolutely dynamite letters of recommendation for you (which you?ll never see). Also have really good transcripts, and do an excellent essay on your application.

Some buy expensive pre-GMAT cram courses, which might help boost total points, I don?t know.
I didn?t do that. I just walked in cold with no prep & scored well. Very well. I believe my 3 mile hike to campus that morning really helped.

Since you went to CSULB I assume you?re in California.

In California there?s only UCLA Anderson School of Management, Stanford for the super super super rich, & last choice is Cal Berkeley Haas School. Competition for admission to those schools is intense, on an international basis.

Don?t waste time & $ at sub-tier places like Pepperdine, USC, etc., where they grant a degree they call ?MBA? which is truly a pseudonym for a whole different, non-rigorous high-school level thing. Not even similar to the real deal.

Suggest you attend an Info Session such as this one just linked, where you can get authoritative answers to your questions.

Also, FYI.

Best is to get employed where the management culture promotes attendance at quality night programs on the company dime. The grad schools have programs geared to that. That's how it was possible for me, otherwise, even with scholarship money, it's just too $$$.

Good luck! Perseverance Furthers (-from I Ching)!!!