<p>I'm a freshman at college, and well, I'm thinking of getting an MBA, but not just *any]/I] MBA, one from the top schools. However, I obviously must work hard, I would like some input at how much the GMAT counts, and how much the GPA counts, and all the EC's or whatnot. I would most definitely like to go for Harvard Business school. Don't bother flaming this decision because my mind is made and I would just like some advice.</p>
<p>You are roughly 6-8 years away from being in a position when you can apply to HBS (or any other respectable MBA programs for that matter). Even if you think your mind is "made up" at this particular point in time, you will possibly change your mind in the years to come.</p>
<p>At any rate, GPA and GMAT are very important. Most good MBA program expect a GPA in the 3.5 range (give or take two tenth of a point) and a GMAT score of 700 or more. Just as important as GPA and GMAT are the essays. </p>
<p>However, more important than any of the above is demonstrated professional success. MBA programs generally admit candidates with a track record of professional success. For this reason, most successful candidates have 3-5 years of full-time professional experience (generally with the same firm or in the same industry) with a clear-cut proven trach record of success (great recommendations, regular promitions, big bonuses and significant annual salary increases).</p>
<p>Assuming that you will work hard at college, graduate with top grades and land a great job, you may not need to go to b school to be successful.</p>
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Assuming that you will work hard at college, graduate with top grades and land a great job, you may not need to go to b school to be successful.
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<p>The two aren't mutually exclusive - many successful people choose go to b-school anyway.</p>
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The two aren't mutually exclusive - many successful people choose go to b-school anyway.
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"Successful people" is a relative term. Many people who come out of a two year analyst position ( therefore deemed successful )at an investment bank go on for their MBA if they can't leverage their experience for a higher level position. However, some of these analysts are talented enough that they are promoted to an associate position after 3 years,then for these people,( more successful) an MBA is not necessary.</p>
<p>cbreeze, I think what Calicartel meant is that many people who go for MBAs do so for personal reasons, often unrelated to financial success. Obviously, I agree with you in that not everybody requires an MBA, but not all people who go for a MBA feel that they require it. Some do it for personal reasons that may have little or nothing to do with professional success.</p>
<p>LMAO @ knowing which graduate business school you want to attend when you're a freshman in college.</p>
<p>To original poster: kudos on the active interest in your career. Don't lose this purposefulness in frat parties. Google for "2+2 mba".</p>