Questions about GMAT, b-school, and career

Graduate School Business School - MBA
1

<p>Maybe someone can help me out here. I would try doing a search but my internet connection has been so slow lately I can barely post this. Anyways, I'm currently in Fordham's College of Business Administration. I was told of a Dual degree program where I could get my MBA by taking just 10 courses at Fordham's Graduate school of Business Administration. I'm already graduating one semester early (Fall 09 rather than Spring 10). The requirements of the program are a 3.5 GPA which is exactly where I stand (I now have to focus on keeping it at that level if not increasing it). I also need to take the GMAT and score at least a 600 out of 800. In addition to those requirements, I also need relevant internship experience to whatever field I plan on concentrating (I already have that one checked off according to my advisor). Assuming I can get into the program, it would be awesome simply because it would be like getting two degrees in 4.5 yrs.</p>

<p>Here's where my questions start.</p>

<p>-If I do this, how beneficial do you think the degree would be? Could I possibly become overqualified for some jobs? I don't think I would because I don't have that much experience, but I have heard stories of people who are over qualified because of their degrees.</p>

<p>-I don't know much about the GMATs. What's it like? What's included in it? Are there any books that are recommended to prepare for this exam? 600 out of 800 seems very competitive. On the SATs, I think I got like within the 500 range on all areas (math, reading, and writing), possibly a max of 610 on one section. Is it anything like that? Easier? Harder? This is really the one part that worries me because Ive never been a good test taker.</p>

<p>-As far as the concentration, I'm thinking of doing a concentration in the same area that I'm getting my bachelor's in, that is Information and Communication Systems. It's a major for me for the bachelor's whereas in the the MBA program it would be a concentration only. In any case, is it a good idea to study the same field twice? The person in charge of this dual degree program said that i should also consider studying other fields. I'm an IT person, business in general bores me, but technology and its business applications are exciting to me. The classes seemed pretty different and expanded into other topics which seem more interesting and aren't covered in the undergrad program here.</p>

<p>-If I do this program, I would be able to get at least 5 classes out the way in the Spring 10 semester. After that though I'm HOPING I can turn an internship I'm doing this summer into a full time job offer. If that happens, I'd probably start working in the summer of 2010. Assuming that's the case, do you think an employer would allow me to do a full semester of courses (5 more classes) just so that I could get my master's? I know some jobs will pay for an education while you work for them. But that usually slows things down and you usually take one class a semester. I'd rather get it all done with right away. How would a job react to something like that to me asking them for time off like that or an extension on my starting date? I mean I much rather get the job and get working experience than finish the masters degree quickly so I don't mind postponing some of those mba classes and finish whenever i get to finish (I have like 6 years I think to finish). But at the same time if the job lets me take that semester off to finish those classes, it would be great. Anyone have advice here?</p>

<p>Sorry if these are commonly asked questions. Like I said, my internet connection has been slow lately and this site barely loads. I appreciate any advice or recommendations offered.</p>

2

<p>Given your interests, I’d do a masters in computer science or something similar instead. The MBA with no work experience will probably not yield you exciting job opportunities while something in CS or engineering probably will get you a good job in areas you like.</p>

3

<p>well unfortunately the only other options would be limited to the concentrations they offer for the MBA:<br>
* Accounting
* Communications and Media Management
* Finance
* Information and Communications Systems
* Management Systems
* Marketing</p>

<p>Accounting and Finance are out of the question for me personally. The other fields wouldn’t seem too bad I suppose. I actually will have taken 4 of the professors who teach in the ICS concentration at the grad level.</p>

<p>I’m taking one CS course right now in programming. My understanding is that this is what most CS programs consist of (courses in programming, logic, math, etc.). While I can do this kind of work if taught, I prefer not to. I don’t see myself ever programming or having a career in that field. That’s why I like the MICS major I’m in because it applies technology to business applications. One learns how technology works, why a business should use it, the problems involved with its application to a business, etc. Also with MICS, I don’t have to delve too deep into business (such as finance, accounting, etc.) and I don’t have to get too technical with technology (coding software, etc.). I like to think of it as the best of both worlds. I hope that makes my position a bit more clearer on why I wanted to do the ICS concentration in the MBA program. With that said, I’m curious why you consider a masters in CS will yield more exciting job opportunities upon completion of the MBA program. (If I do finish the MBA program and I get an offer to return to the internship as a full-time employee, I’m most likely going to stay there. I’m not just doing the MBA program to get an even better job, I do think the experience will be helpful in the field I’m interested in and I don’t have to waste time taking some of the same business requirements I’ve already taken in the undergrad level.)</p>

<p>I read a recent thread discussing the reasons an MBA without work experience is bad. While it may be naive, personally I don’t think I’ll be at a disadvantage in my field of interest because most of the courses will be in concentration assuming I go with ICS (the dual degree program allows me to bypass all the core requirements for the MBA since most of those courses are similar to what I’ve taken at the undergrad level). It’s a small concentration and major to begin with at my school. I’ve held 4 IT jobs and have learned quite a bit I think for my age, though definitely not as much as someone whose been in the field full-time for 2-3 years. So I think that’s why the advisor said I wouldn’t have a problem since it’s all relevant to the field I’m considering.</p>

<p>Thanks for your response. Do you have any advice on the other questions?</p>

4

<p>Now I’m really confused. Business bores you and you don’t want to get too technical. What kind of career are you planning? It originally looked like you enjoyed IT. And is there some reason you must continue your education at Fordham?</p>

5

<p>i’m specifically talking about accounting and finance. it’s not that i don’t like working with numbers (i enjoy math and statistics), i just don’t like working with dollars. i’m sure that field pays well and all but every class i’ve had in that area has been dull beyond imagination. that’s what i mean when i say business bores me. other business classes aren’t so bad: operations product management, management, marketing, etc. i can deal with those subjects. when i say i don’t want to get too technical, i’m referring to the computer side of things (programming, etc.). IT is not just software programming. i don’t find anything wrong with the field itself but i’m not going to crunch code every day. i don’t want to configure routers and switches. things of that nature. there are just certain things one knows they wouldn’t want to do. this is one of them. what do you think IT is out of curiosity?</p>

<p>as far as the career i’m planning, i would like to start off as a consultant in IT. i’m hoping to work in different fields (health care, energy, manufacturing, communications, etc.) at first and then once i find the field i enjoy the most i’d stick to that and see where that takes me.</p>

<p>the reason i’m looking to continue at fordham is because of the dual degree program. 10 classes gets me a masters which is considerably less compared to other schools. i could do that in one year technically. normally it would take 2 yrs of 60 credits though that’d probably get stretched out because of work and all. it saves me money, but at the same time i know the kind of education i’d be getting with the professors. it’s not about the prestige of getting into a top 3 school or anything like that (i know that’s a crazy thought on this forum). i find i can learn even more from some of the courses offered at the grad level. plus i like how they instill ethics into their classes. it’s a fine education i’ve received so far here and i don’t mind continuing it.</p>

<p>in any event, any advice on the other questions i originally asked? thanks so far.</p>

6

<p>First, you don’t yet have a decision to make because you haven’t taken the GMAT. Take it now, why not? And, if you score over a 600, which you should (thats around the 80th percentile), then think about what to do.</p>

<p>Personally, taking the quickest way will be a short-cut and not many hiring managers will look favorably on that. Also, having no work experience and an MBA is a bad combination. An MBA should be used to throttle up a career, not kick start it. I would go for a masters in something else and save the MBA for when you need it, which will probably be within 5 years from now. Some Master’s programs only take a year.</p>

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<p>i haven’t taken the GMAT because I’ve only started thinking about it. that’s why i wanted advice on how to study for it (books to use, etc) and how similar it is to the SATs in terms of the level of knowledge required. For example, I know the math in the SATs is basic high school stuff; is that the case for the GMATs? The other thing I can also look into is if I get into the dual degree program I can possibly just take my time taking courses. Apparently I’d get 6 years to finish the masters degree once I’m in the program so I wouldn’t have to take classes right away, one would assume anyways. I could work for a while and then just start taking classes after 2 yrs of work experience since theoretically I’d still be in the program. The important thing is that I would already have my foot in the door. I’d have to discuss that with my advisor of course. I don’t know if they require that you take at least once course a semester or something to that nature.</p>

<p>That’s interesting that some master’s programs only take 1 yr. I was under the impression that most MBA programs took 60 credits (2yrs).</p>

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<p>I wasn’t talking about MBA.</p>

<p>Get a book and see what the level is. I don’t think it has any relationship to the SAT, but the I took the SAT a long time ago.</p>

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<p>There was a recent thread of this board that concluded that SAT scores do correlate well with GMAT scores. Use the search function to find it.</p>

10

<p>thanks for the replies so far. i’m looking more into a masters in general (not just an mba). the question i have now is what benefit do i get from doing a masters? would that make me overqualified when applying to jobs? and does the same rule apply to a regular masters as it does for an mba? that’s to say, do i need years of work experience to take advantage of getting a masters (not an mba)? also how common is it for someone to get an Masters in ??? and an MBA?</p>

<p>from what i’ve searched thru this forum i’ve heard this book called The Official Guide is recommended. so i’ll probably get that to prepare for the GMAT.</p>

11

<p>There is certainly a quality range in terms of IT consultant jobs. A masters will certainly not over qualify you for the more desirable ones.</p>

12

<p>Thanks. That’s good to know. I’m guessing I don’t need the years of work experience to get the masters?</p>

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<p>so after much consideration i think what i’m going to do is try to get emitted into this dual degree program. i’d take a few classes early on just to pass time the spring 10 semester that i’ll be off, but defer most of the classes for a few years. i’ll start working for 2 years at that point. this way i can take full advantage of the program by having full work experience under my belt. but at the same time i don’t have to go through the full program of 20 classes, i just gotta take 10 classes which saves me money. i get like 6 yrs to finish the program so that should be enough time. and hopefully whoever im working for will foot the bill for the tuition of those classes.</p>

14

<p>Hi All, I realize this thread is a few days old, but I wanted to add my thoughts since i had such a similar experience and decision. </p>

<p>@BP-TheGuy88
You sound exactly like me 6 years ago. I finished my undergrad with a degree in Management Information Systems and mostly was bored with my business classes. I enjoyed the CS side of things, but not so much that I wanted to become a network admin or a software developer. Right after graduation I landed a job in a brokerage and have been in Finance/Investment banking as an data architect/analyst ever since. </p>

<p>I’m also currently in my second year at a top b-school working on my MBA, and though it sometimes feels like undergrad all over again, I don’t regret doing it. Sure, I still dislike finance and accounting but I’ve found new interests in strategy, entrepreneurship and marketing classes. I have no intentions of becoming a CEO or an I-Banker, but i still feel the MBA, like an IT background, will make me more rounded. </p>

<p>I strongly encourage you to enjoy being in 'the best of both worlds" as you put it. There’s always a need for really talented generalists in the world of business, especially as the role of IT becomes somewhat of a commodity. Regardless of what line of business you end up in, show strong performance at whatever you commit to, and follow it through. As far as jobs go, you’d be surprised what’s available to someone with your background; especially if you take a look at consulting firms like PWC, Accenture, BCG, or McKinsey.</p>

<p>Best of Luck!</p>