The MBA Thread

Milpool · Sep 27, 2010

Originally Posted by Arrogant Bastard

PhDs, being highly specialized, can be double-edged swords. Only pursue them if you're dead certain you want to go into that field. Definitely not the sort of degree that can be "collected" the way an MBA can. A lot of people get MBAs as hedges against the job market, hedges against not being able to figure out what they want to do with their lives but knowing they want to make money, and salary boosters. PhDs can't really be used defensively in these ways, but they can open some very lucrative doors if pursued in certain fields (CS, statistics, finance, etc.).

Well said. A PhD has to be about being an expert in your field.

Even if you decide you hated business, lots of jobs in a variety of sectors are happy to have an MBA around.

pebblegrain · Sep 27, 2010

Originally Posted by fairholme_wannabe

750 aggregate

You would have to be stupid to retake the GMAT after a 750, regardless of the split. I believe that is in the 98th percentile. In fact, if you retake it, they will probably use it as a sign of your short-sightedness.

The GMAT is not as important for top schools (they could pick candidates without knowing their score and still average 700+). It is more important for schools ranked 15 or worse because they need it to raise their average/not hurt their average.

JayJay · Sep 27, 2010

^^^There is also the chance you'll do worse on a retake.

moolala · Sep 27, 2010

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

You would have to be stupid to retake the GMAT after a 750, regardless of the split. I believe that is in the 98th percentile. In fact, if you retake it, they will probably use it as a sign of your short-sightedness.

The GMAT is not as important for top schools (they could pick candidates without knowing their score and still average 700+). It is more important for schools ranked 15 or worse because they need it to raise their average/not hurt their average.

750 is solid...

fairholme_wannabe · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

You would have to be stupid to retake the GMAT after a 750, regardless of the split. I believe that is in the 98th percentile. In fact, if you retake it, they will probably use it as a sign of your short-sightedness.

The GMAT is not as important for top schools (they could pick candidates without knowing their score and still average 700+). It is more important for schools ranked 15 or worse because they need it to raise their average/not hurt their average.

Appreciate it!

Don Carlos · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by pebblegrain

You would have to be stupid to retake the GMAT after a 750, regardless of the split. I believe that is in the 98th percentile. In fact, if you retake it, they will probably use it as a sign of your short-sightedness. The GMAT is not as important for top schools (they could pick candidates without knowing their score and still average 700+). It is more important for schools ranked 15 or worse because they need it to raise their average/not hurt their average.
+1 If you got a 750 on the GMAT, you're done with the GMAT. Nobody -- be it HBS, Stanford, or any other top school -- is going to care if you retake the test and get, say, a 760. They probably wouldn't care if you retook it and got an 800, unlikely though that outcome would be. The GMAT is like one of those "You must be this tall to ride the rollercoaster" signs at the theme park. Once you're tall enough, the ride operator doesn't care how tall you are. Being any taller doesn't get you more rides. It's a minimum entry requirement. Of course, that's not to say that a great GMAT score automatically gets you into a great school. You still need to rock the essays and the interview and the resume. I have a friend who scored 760 on his GMAT and basically said "*******, now I'll just kick back and phone in the rest." Very bad mistake, especially because he'd nailed the hardest part of the process. He ended up at a Top 20 school when he had a legitimate shot at Top 3.

Flambeur · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by Milpool

Just take a look at the PhD programs at your target b-schools. See if they sound interesting.

Totally different thing.

a. huge time commitment of 4-6 years vs. 2 fro the MBA
b. focus on a single area and academic research (completely different from the practitioner-oriented stuff you learn in the MBA)
c. totally different pool of candidates from the MBA pool
d. ridiculous competition of 20-60 highly qualified candidates for every spot. If you're talking Finance, it's basically impossible to get into a reputable program unless you're a Physics PhD with impeccable credentials, well not exactly but you know what I mean.
e. VASTLY different career path from an MBA

Flambeur · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by fairholme_wannabe

750 aggregate

would you mind sharing your v/q split? I absolutely don't get how you can get 77% Q and score a 750 even with a perfect V score.... Also, 750 is 99th percentile now, right?

fairholme_wannabe · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by Flambeur

would you mind sharing your v/q split? I absolutely don't get how you can get 77% Q and score a 750 even with a perfect V score.... Also, 750 is 99th percentile now, right?

Q47 V47--98%

JayJay · Sep 28, 2010

Originally Posted by Flambeur

Totally different thing.

a. huge time commitment of 4-6 years vs. 2 fro the MBA
b. focus on a single area and academic research (completely different from the practitioner-oriented stuff you learn in the MBA)
c. totally different pool of candidates from the MBA pool
d. ridiculous competition of 20-60 highly qualified candidates for every spot. If you're talking Finance, it's basically impossible to get into a reputable program unless you're a Physics PhD with impeccable credentials, well not exactly but you know what I mean.
e. VASTLY different career path from an MBA
+1.

mintyfresh · Oct 4, 2010

Pretty off topic from the recent conversation, but does anyone have insight into the acceptance rates/standards between Columbia's early acceptance for fall term and their acceptance for January term? http://www4.gsb.columbia.edu/mba/learnmore/options Thanks

maverick · Oct 4, 2010

Only thing I have heard about Columbia is that they are/were rolling in their process, and far better to get your application in early (even if not early decision).

Viktri · Oct 5, 2010

Originally Posted by Flambeur

would you mind sharing your v/q split? I absolutely don't get how you can get 77% Q and score a 750 even with a perfect V score.... Also, 750 is 99th percentile now, right?
The verbal score carries significant weight compared to the quants, iirc, it is 3x the value and the higher the verbal the greater the rarity (few candidates score higher on the verbal and the scores aren't base on avgs of the 2 scores but the rarity of the scores) thus increasing the difference further. http://www.mba.com/mba/thegmat/gmats...nkingmeans.htm 98% according to the official site an incredible score imo edit: Forgot to mention, if you scored verbal 51 (perfect) the minimum score you'll get with a quant 40 is 750. With Q at 77% you're probably 790 based on past results.

dave333 · Oct 5, 2010

I'm currently studying econ/math (likely will do double major) at Middlebury C (liberal arts so no business program).

What should I be focused on besides a high GMAT/GPA when it comes to getting into a top business school? Any particular extracurriculars I should get started in?

Milpool · Oct 5, 2010

Originally Posted by dave333

I'm currently studying econ/math (likely will do double major) at Middlebury C (liberal arts so no business program).

What should I be focused on besides a high GMAT/GPA when it comes to getting into a top business school? Any particular extracurriculars I should get started in?

Solid work experience.

The MBA Thread

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