<p>Here is my problem. I am an econ major at the University of Montana Missoula. I realize that quality work experience is necessary to get into the top MBA programs in the country, but the problem is the places I'll be working at will not be very prestigious, because the school and its students don't attract top recruits. My options are pretty limited to somewhere in the northwest, the top ibanking and consulting firms are out. So should I still go to work for one of these places after graduation or should I try to take a run at going straight into grad school, because my stats are decent- GPA- 3.93, several ecs, etc. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>People actually live in Montana? If you network like crazy you have a good chance at a boutique investment bank. How are your SAT scores (yes, banks still look at them)?</p>
<p>I took the ACTs, the results were not spectacular- 27, im not a great standardized test taker and I wasn't as committed as I needed to be, but Im looking to make up for it.</p>
<p>
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the problem is the places I'll be working at will not be very prestigious
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Not a problem at all. </p>
<p>
[quote]
should I try to take a run at going straight into grad school (top MBA programs)
[/quote]
You could try but your chance will be significantly improved with a few more of good work experience. Go work for a place that offers many growth opportunities, and then apply.</p>
<p>27 isn't bad..at least when I took the ACTs..it was actually pretty good. I know intelligent people that were bad test takers that got around a 20 on the ACT (ACT was required to graduate from my HS).</p>
<p>Anyways, back on subject. Your GPA is outstanding. I'd bust my ass on the GMAT. If you do well on it, you should be able to get into a very good school. Get in a job where you can get progressive experience. If you are willing to move, I would think consulting companies would want to take a look at you (but *** do I know?), but you would have to seek them out..not vice versa.</p>
<p>Anyways, I went to what most would call a "mediocre state school" (at least people don't know your school..it may baffle some). I graduated with under a 3.2 GPA. My GMAT was 720. I think my essays were good (goal oriented). My work experience was "fine" I guess but I'm a career switcher so ***? I didn't even waste my time trying to get into Harvard/Wharton, but I had no problem getting into top 20 schools. If I had a GPA like yours there would have been no doubt in my mind that I could have gotten into any MBA program.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. 27 isn't a terrible score, I was somewher in the 80th percintile I think, but that doesn't say much. I am glad there is hope. Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>There's no universal test that all college grads take. The students applying for investment banking jobs are probably not taking the GRE. For those college students who will take the GMAT before graduating, most of them (this is my personal experience) haven't taken it by the fall of their senior year. Almost every college student has taken the SAT. Everyone else took the ACT. </p>
<p>The SAT is a very minor component of the decision making process. Of the few banks who requested it, none ever asked me about it during an interview. It is probably used to prescreen candidates. If you cannot score above X, then the bank doubts you have the intellectual capacity to do the job well.</p>