How well do I need to score/MBA Specialties?

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Hello everyone! I'm new to the board but I have browsed through some of the topics and have been extremely impressed with the quality of the answers I have seen. Hopefully someone can shed some light on my situation! </p>

<p>I am about to graduate from undergraduate with a BA in Business (focusing in Accounting). I don't go to an Ivy League caliber school, but I do attend one of the better Liberal Arts schools in the country. I just went through the recruitment process and have accepted a consulting position at a Big Four firm. I have a 3.9+ GPA with almost a 4.0 in my major. I plan on sitting for the CPA exam in the coming months, but I am now thinking about the possibility of the GMAT as well. I am planning on getting an MBA after a few years work experience. I am not an international student.</p>

<p>My question: Given the information I just provided, what score do I need to make on the GMAT to have a decent chance of being accepted into a top MBA program? Ideally, I would like to go to a Top 10 program, but I could see myself also looking at a place like Darden (UVA) as well.</p>

<p>Also, when should I sit for the GMAT? As of now, my focus is really on the CPA exam that I will begin in the coming months, but I have seen quite a few posts indicating the importance of taking the GMAT shortly after graduation so that ones test taking skills are at their peak. As of now, I am leaning towards taking the CPA exam first and the GMAT shortly afterwards.</p>

<p>Lastly, I do not know what "speciality" I would like to go into regarding an MBA, so could you please tell me what is considered each schools top program? While I am trying to predict the future (regarding my interest), I would say finance or supply chain are my two biggest interests outside accounting. I hope that a MBA will give a complimentary skill set to the CPA designation.</p>

<p>Thanks! I look forward to your responses!</p>

2

<p>A 700 will do just fine, although a 750 will probably increase your chances about 10% or so for each school you apply to. Your big 4 consulting experience is perfect. I’d say if you apply after 3 years you probably have a 15-25% chance of getting into each school you apply to, 25-35% if you apply after 4 years or more. No one can really expect better odds than that. (0-10% if you apply in 2 years or less).</p>

<p>As for what to do after you get your MBA, you could either continue your career at a top consulting firm or move into investment banking. That’s what most MBA grads do. Personally, I would love to see you stay on at the Big 4 as an auditor. Our country needs our best minds on the paper chase.</p>