<p>Hi - I'm just looking for some general MBA app advice from those who have gone through the process. I'm applying to a wide range of schools, from Harvard and Stanford to Northeastern and Pepperdine (and lots in between - 10 total). I did well on my GMAT (750) and my undergrad gpa is 3.88. i worked for two years at a boutique but very well-respected investment bank and then left (with my supervisors blessings) because i wanted to teach at a high-needs elementary school for 2 years before grad school, so i've been teaching 5th grade. i've already applied to harvard, stanford and ucla, and am working on other apps. my biggest questions are about what schools i have the best chances of getting into and possibly getting scholarships to (teaching isn't exactly a high paying career, even though i love my students) and advice about where to go. not sure exactly what i want to do, prob corporate finance or VC/PE work. Suggestions? and it's my first post, so sorry if it's a little long - i'm procrastinating on my apps!</p>
<p>oh, and here's all the schools i'm applying to: harvard, stanford, ucla, UT mccombs, USC marshall, SMU cox, boston university, boston college, northeastern, and pepperdine.
*I posted this thread in a general forum by accident - still finding my way around - so sorry if you've read it before.</p>
<p>VC/PE = 2 years Teaching + 2 years Banking + MBA?</p>
<p>Why are you getting your MBA? </p>
<p>I think knowing what you want to do as well as where you are coming from might help. </p>
<p>I'd apply everywhere, your scores should at least get you interviews. Essays and interviews will probably determine the rest for you; which is why the above questions are essential that you answer. The response doesn't have to be super detailed, but you have a strange career progression so far and that should be addressed.</p>
<p>I think you need to narrow it down. You will definitely get a scholarship at SMU, and I would assume a sizeable one. I'm not sure about the other schools. Not being familiar with these schools (off top of my head): boston university, boston college, northeastern, and pepperdine, but I believe they will probably all deliver less value than SMU (perhaps similiar value) and as such I wouldn't waste time with them. </p>
<p>Personally, I would just apply to harvard, stanford, ucla, UT mccombs, and USC marshall, (at the most) but I left SMU in because I think you mentioned scholarships.</p>
<p>i got my undergrad at northeastern, but would rather not go there for grad (as i mainly went there for financial reasons)</p>
<p>and i'm going back into the business world because i never really planned on leaving - i love working with kids, and i wanted to teach for two years before i went to grad school as a kind of "give back" thing - i work at a school that has very high-needs (little english, nearly all below the poverty line - we send the kids home with food on the weekends and feed them 2 meals a day). but i always knew i would go back into business and get a grad degree. i knew the only time i could teach without seriously interrupting a business career would be before grad school, so i took the opportunity. in my essays (esp. the "goals" one), i talk a lot about my reasons for teaching.
i want to go back into VC/PE because i don't want to i-bank again (i don't think), and i think i'd enjoy being on the investing side. i've also thought about corp finance, but it would have to be the right company. i'm interested in working with a firm that has at least a partial focus on learning technologies and/or programs for children.</p>
<p>so.....i know my career path is different, but i definitely have my reasons for going to b-school.</p>
<p>oh, and i double majored - i have a BS in business admin and a BS in political science (because i'm interested in it, not as a career path). i got my teaching certificate through a program called texas teaching fellows that works to put qualified teachers into underprivileged schools (which took 2 months).</p>