<p>Hi All,
It would be really great if international students who got selected to top MBA programs (such as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, MIT, etc.) can help me out. But others are also most welcome to advice, given this would be a common question facing a lot of Asian international students.</p>
<ol>
<li>What would be the minimum GMAT score needed to get in and to get financial aid?</li>
<li>If an international student doesn't have working experience in top global i-banks, or multinational companies, would work experience (with high level of responsibility and leadership exposure) related to local companies count as equivalent good experience?</li>
<li>Do top MBAs look at entrepreneurial experience (i.e. starting your own business) favorably?</li>
<li>How does having multiple qualifications help? for example, CFA, Accounting qualifications, etc. </li>
<li>Would having a Fulbright scholarship or equivalent make you stand out?</li>
<li>What are the chances for international students to get loans and schols given the current economic situation? </li>
<li>Pls give any other advice that you think is important. </li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks a lot guys!</p>
<p>Hey guys, would really appreciate if u can share your thoughts.
Thanks a lot!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>GMAT is not a determinant to a scholarship offer from a top US mba program. GMATs are 1 of the many factors considered for acceptance into the program though, a high score won’t get you into the program but a low score can keep you out. Aim for the middle 80% of the schools you are targeting. Top programs do not give significant aid, you will have to be paying most of the costs to attend yourself through loans.</p></li>
<li><p>A career with a high level of responsibility and leadership exposure and the ability to communicate it well within your resume and essays in your application will give you as good of a shot as any. A strong multinational brand does help at times but if you introduce your company and your role within the company well enough, then the difference is negligible. </p></li>
<li><p>Yes MBA’s value entrepreneurial experience but you have to have the right context and a good transition on why you need an MBA if you already started a successful company. If not successful then translating that failure into a positive in the essays will be tough. Also if you want to change career paths you need a good transition to go from entrepreneur to IBanking or Consulting for example. </p></li>
<li><p>From what i have heard it does not significantly help directly but having these certificates typically translates to having stronger work experience which is an indirect correlation.</p></li>
<li><p>It doesn’t hurt but it won’t stand out significantly.</p></li>
<li><p>All these top programs have excellent financial aid departments and also have agreements with large banks to facilitate loans to their admitted students. I have not heard of a case where an international was denied a loan. They would not admit you unless they were confident they can provide you with a loan.</p></li>
<li><p>GMAT, GPA, Essays and recommendations are all important pieces to the application process. Make sure you spend enough time crafting your essays. A high GPA and GMAT is not the whole story, only when a school determines that you will be a good fit does one get an admit letter.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Good Luck.</p>