<p>I'm looking at basically top 15 or bust...may expand to the top 20 depending on how I am feeling.</p>
<p>How do I narrow down the list? I cannot apply to all of them ($250/school app fee adds up) and I don't have time to complete apps for 15 schools. </p>
<p>I've started shortening the list a little...crossed off a couple that are in areas where I basically refuse to live or I know the lifestyle of the program just wouldn't be a good fit. </p>
<p>I am still in the process of identifying WHY I want an MBA in particular...so I can't cross off schools that suck in a particular area (most top schools aren't terrible in any area to begin with) that interests me. At this point, I am looking at flexibility of the program as one of the primary characteristics. I also love the case method, so this is a huge plus for Harvard and Darden. </p>
<p>My main interests are finance, strategy, consulting, analytics, marketing, operations, innovation/design/product management. Like I said, this is all over the place so it doesn't help narrow it much. </p>
<p>I see three likely exit strategies for me:
A) Strategy consulting
B) Leadership rotational program
C) Private equity -- operationally-focused firm (call it turnaround or takeover; not just a financial investment, but actually being part of the leadership team when the acquisition is made)</p>
<p>I have a very strong undergraduate business background, especially in accounting and my professional experience has given me tremendous marketing exposure. I need programs that will allow me to skip the entry level courses in these areas -- I don't want to waste my time learning principles of accounting when I could be a CPA if I wanted. Kellogg seems quite good in this regard and it is arguably my top choice right now. </p>
<p>Any other tips on how I can continue to trim the list? Right now it is looking something like this:
Harvard
Wharton
Stanford
Sloan
Kellogg
Booth
Ross
Darden
Yale
Fuqua
Kelley
Kenan-Flager
McCombs</p>
<p>What are your GPA and GMAT scores? Where did you attend college? Compare your scores with the schools’ median scores and this will eliminate those that you are not qualified for.</p>
<p>My GPA was almost a 4.0. I went to a 2nd/3rd tier private college. </p>
<p>I have not taken the GMAT yet, but lets assume in the low 700s. I have the ECs and quality work experience to be competitive anywhere, so I am not looking to cut out schools based on difficulty of getting in.</p>
<p>I will certainly be applying to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg and Booth. The main question concerns the schools outside of those. Are there specific aspects of the next tier of schools that differentiate them from their counterparts?</p>
<p>No one can be confident they will get into those schools. Even the best applicants have doubts and all applications have some kind of hole that may not sit well with the admissions counselor reading it. It is how life works.</p>
<p>Take the GMAT. You’ll likely need a 1500+ to get into the tops schools. Also it sounds like you’re a bit of a quant. Shape you’re application to showcase verbal and writing skills, which will actually be the most important skills for consulting.</p>
<p>I was a better student in college than high school. The GMAT is the main variable…everything else makes me competitive. And by competitive, I mean that I might have a 50% chance of getting in to HWS. </p>
<p>My post is asking whether there are some unique characteristics of the other schools on my list that differentiate them.</p>
<p>The majority of applicants to all top schools come from analytical backgrounds (bus/econ, engineering) and professions (engineering, banking, consulting, corporate).Since your interests are so broad,all schools on your list will suffice.
Your main concern may be to look at career placements of the individual B school and making sure your target employers recruit there.</p>