<p>Hi Folks!
I am looking for MBA programs affordable and good quality.
I have the rankings which are helping me of course but I believe rankings are not enough. I prefer to go to a lower ranked school but having a really good experience and a high quality education.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Affordable depends on credentials and work experience. There are those high-quality schools where a stellar GPA/GMAT can net you significant aid, and there are those other high-quality schools where the right kind of work experience may also do the trick.</p>
<p>Thanks Catria!</p>
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<p>Not true. Top MBA schools, unlike law and medical schools, your GPA/GMAT matter less. Your work experience and your stated goals matter more. However, you do need at least a B+ average and GMAT >700 to be safe.</p>
<p>It is true that work experience and stated goals are very important to get foot in the door, but financial aid is a different beast from admissions. </p>
<p>However, are there more highly-ranked schools where WE/stated goals more important than GPA/GMAT for financial aid? I knew there were schools who valued work experience/stated goals more for financial aid, whereas there were schools where GPA/GMAT mattered more as far as getting grants/scholarships is concerned.</p>
<p>Catria, business schools don’t operate like undergrads in awarding aid. They don’t ask for your parents financials and they know most people in their mid to late 20’s can’t afford to pay the full tuition. It’s totally random how they award aid. For example, #4 ranked school may give you more aid than a #13 school.They try to have a diverse class and if you fit their need, they will award you money. Most business schools award some money if you are a competitive candidate. I am talking about the top 10-15 business schools.
It could be possible that other schools that falls below the top 15 may award aid based on GPA/GMAT to boost their statistics. Graduate business schools are somewhat like law schools, the better ranked schools will give you a better ROI because of better recruitment in their career offices.</p>
<p>The OP did not tell what his/her work experience, stated goals or credentials were. </p>
<p>I can’t formulate any recommendations whatsoever without WE, GPA or GMAT (and maybe volunteering or other side activities, if any) and whether any recommendation that could come out of it is affordable or not depends greatly on the file.</p>
<p>Even work experience/achievements, GPA/GMAT or stated goals are not the end of the story, either. Essays, interview, recs also count.</p>