Berkeley / Haas - 03-07-2024 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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March 6, 2024 7:05pm ET

Applying: Berkeley / Haas, Columbia, HEC Paris, IESE, INSEAD, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB

Intake Year: 2024

Pre-MBA Career: Apparel Materials and Product development

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consumer Goods

GRE: 304

GPA: 3.6

Years of Work Experience: 7

Location: West coast

Post MBA Location: NYC, SF or Europe

Notes:

My background is entirely different than other MBA’s I usually see applying to M7. I went to FIT in nyc for undergrad, and graduated in 3 years with a decent GPA. Even though is a well known school in the fashion industry, im not sure how well known is with MBA programs. I have been struggling with the GRE test, and I am hoping my GPA will help me with my lower GRE score, also, I have a business certificate from Columbia SPS which covered classes like accounting and finance. I would submit that along with my application.
I am a latina woman, first generation college graduate.

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Show Comments (3) Last: March 18, 2024

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1693 When are you planning to apply? How many times have you taken the GRE test? What is the breakdown of your score?

Showing impact and growth at work will be very important. Are you also involved in activities outside of work?

(0)

Likes Earned: 0 You have a very interesting and non-traditional background that will no doubt appeal to admissions readers! Your URM/first-gen status will also be an asset, and your years of experience and solid GPA look competitive. The schools know FIT and it is well-regarded in the retail/luxury/fashion domain.With that said, one of the issues that non-traditional applicants from more qualitative backgrounds face is demonstrating the ability to thrive in a rigorous, highly quantitative MBA program. In short, the admissions reader will scour your undergraduate transcripts for evidence of strong performance in courses like statistics, accounting, economics, and calculus, and if this isn't enough data there, they will then turn their attention to the GRE/GMAT and any additional (graded) coursework you have completed.While I would need to know the breakdown of your GRE (specifically the quantitative percentile score), I'm not convinced at this point that your score is within range for your target schools. The only exception might be with some of the European programs, as they place a bit less of an emphasis on the test - but even then, it's a bit of a reach. I also don't know that your certificate from Columbia will be enough to compensate. In short, if you aren't applying until next fall, I would take a test-prep class or hire a tutor and push yourself as hard as you can on the GRE. Not only will this help your plight with the top schools on your list, but it may also open up the door to scholarship dollars, etc. You may also want to look into some additional outside coursework, to bolster your quantitative skills.Thanks for your post and best of luck! (2)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1693 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2024/03/mba-wire-taps-344/ (0)