Is a 720 GMAT Score Your Ticket to an Elite MBA?

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Many ambitious business school applicants set their sights on a 720 GMAT Total score. A 720 GMAT score is often thought of—rightly or wrongly—as something of a cutoff for the “M7.” The M7 is the informal group of seven prestigious business schools considered to have the world’s best MBA programs: Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, Columbia, and MIT Sloan.

But how accurate is this mythologizing of the 720 Total score? Do you have to get at least a 720 to get into a top business school, and will it guarantee you admission? Conversely, is a 720 GMAT score really good enough for the elite business schools? If you’re applying to the M7, should you retake the GMAT and try to score even higher—even if you already have a 720? Do you need a 730 GMAT score for Harvard or Stanford? And what do the top 20 schools think about the 720 GMAT score, or the top 50, or the top 100?

In this post, we’ll give you all the answers to these questions, deconstructing the common thinking about the 720 GMAT score and delving into actual data from M7 business schools as well as thoughts on the GMAT from their admissions offices. Finally, we’ll help you think through the 720 and other score goals in terms of your own application and target business schools. Continue reading “Is a 720 GMAT Score Your Ticket to an Elite MBA?”

What Is a Good GMAT Score for Scholarships?

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Worried about paying for your MBA, but proud of your GMAT score? You might be eligible for funding! Many business schools offer partial or full scholarships for high-achieving students. But is there a specific GMAT score you need in order to secure a scholarship? Can you get a GMAT scholarship?

In this article, I’ll go over the average GMAT scores that tend to secure funding for business students, as well as some examples of specific school-based and organization-based MBA scholarships. You’ll get a good idea of how to find scholarships you’re eligible for and what kind of score you’ll need to have a shot at landing them. Continue reading “What Is a Good GMAT Score for Scholarships?”

The 40 Best, Easiest Business Schools to Get Into

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Applying to business schools can be intimidating. What if you don’t get in? Are there any programs you’ll almost definitely be accepted at? If you’re looking for the easiest business schools to get into, look no further.

In this article, I’ll go over what makes an MBA program’s application process less competitive and help you decide whether a less selective business school is right for you. You’ll also find lists of MBA programs with high acceptance rates and the the easiest top MBA programs to get into based on average GPAs and GMAT scores.

Continue reading “The 40 Best, Easiest Business Schools to Get Into”

MBA GPA Requirements: What’s Good for Business School?

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GPA’s can be one of the most fraught parts of the MBA application process, since you can’t really change it. What’s a good GPA for MBA programs? How can you determine the MBA GPA requirements at your prospective business schools?

In this article, I’ll go over a what a good GPA for business school is, how much and why your GPA matters in the course of MBA admissions, and what to do if your undergraduate GPA is lower than you’d like it to be. Continue reading “MBA GPA Requirements: What’s Good for Business School?”

Ask a Kellogg MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ [Video]

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is well-known as one of the top business schools in the United States. But why do real MBA candidates choose Kellogg? What exactly does it take to get in? And how important is the GMAT in the admissions process?

In “Ask a Kellogg MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ”, we sit down with Yuan Geng, a Kellogg MBA and Director of GRE and TOEFL here at PrepScholar. She answers our questions about Kellogg MBA admissions and responds to some GMAT FAQ, including:

  1. Why Kellogg?
  2. What was the Kellogg MBA application process like when you applied?
  3. How important was your GMAT score as part of your Kellogg MBA admissions application?
  4. How did you study for the GMAT?
  5. Did you do anything to study for the GMAT that you wouldn’t recommend to students currently preparing for the test?
  6. What is your biggest piece of advice for students beginning the Kellogg MBA admissions process or applying to another business school?

Watch the video to hear her answers!

If you like the “Ask a ______ MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ” focus of this video, feel free to request an interview focused on a different business school in the YouTube comments! You can also check out our Ask a Wharton MBA video here.

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies!

Getting Into Business School With a Low GPA: 5 Top Tips

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Aside from your GMAT score, your GPA is the most important number on your MBA admissions application. Admissions committees look at your GPA as an indicator of past academic performance and as a predictor of whether or not you’ll succeed in their program. So can you get your MBA with a low GPA?

While a low undergraduate GPA certainly makes admission to business schools more difficult, it doesn’t make it impossible. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the ins and outs of low GPA MBA admissions. First, I’ll talk about why GPA matters to MBA programs. Next, I’ll talk about what actually counts as a low GPA for MBA programs. Finally, I’ll give you some tips and tricks for on getting into business school with a low GPA.

Continue reading “Getting Into Business School With a Low GPA: 5 Top Tips”

What Is an MBA? Should You Get One?

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What is an MBA degree? What are its advantages and disadvantages? What kinds of classes will you take in an MBA program? Most importantly, should you get one?

In this article, I’ll go through the MBA degree definition, the foundations of MBA curriculum, the different kinds of MBAs, and the pros and cons of getting a graduate degree in business management.

Continue reading “What Is an MBA? Should You Get One?”

How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA?

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One of the biggest investments you’ll make into your MBA is time. No matter what, your MBA will require a significant amount of time, energy, and effort.

But exactly how long does it take to get an MBA? In this article, I’ll go over how long an MBA takes to finish, what could make it take longer than average, and what options you have if you want to complete your business degree more quickly. Continue reading “How Long Does It Take to Get an MBA?”

Learn the Difference Between GMAT and GRE [Video]

If you’re considering business school, you’ve likely asked, “Should I take the GRE or GMAT?” But what is the difference between GMAT and GRE? Why take one over the other?

In “The Difference between GMAT and GRE”, we discuss the key factors that distinguish the two tests and lay out the three steps you can use to decide which test is right for you.

The differences between the two tests range from broad to specific. At the broad level, different graduate programs require different exams. Similarly, if you’re choosing GMAT or GRE for MBA program admissions, specific schools may require or prefer different exams. So one difference between GMAT and GRE is that certain tests are better suited for different academic paths.

Another difference between GRE and GMAT is that the tests use different computer adaptive algorithms that impact the test taking experience. Depending on your ability to manage your time and your testing anxiety, you may perform better on one test than the other.

At the question level, the two exams test many similar concepts across the Verbal and Quantitative sections. However, a critical difference between GRE and GMAT is that each test features some unique concepts. Along the same lines, not all of the concepts on both exams are tested at the same level of difficulty. This difference between GMAT and GRE means that you may receive a higher score on either test depending on your skill level in a couple different areas.

Watch the video to figure out which test is right for you!

If after analyzing the difference between GMAT and GRE using the steps in this video, you’re still unsure about “Should I take the GRE or GMAT?”, take a practice exam for each test to determine which one you score higher on — this will help you determine which is easier, GMAT or GRE. Taking both the GMAT and the GRE is also an option, but you’ll usually come out with a higher score if you study really well for one test than if you study a little bit for both.

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies!

Ask a Wharton MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ [Video]

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The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania is well-known as one of the top business schools in the United States. But why do real MBA candidates choose Wharton? What exactly does it take to get in? And how important is the GMAT in the admissions process?

In “Ask a Wharton MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ”, we sit down with Laura Leszcynski, a Wharton MBA and Director of GMAT here at PrepScholar. She answers our questions about Wharton MBA admissions and responds to some GMAT FAQ, including:

  1. Why Wharton?
  2. How important was your GMAT score as part of your Wharton MBA admissions application?
  3. How did you study for the GMAT?
  4. Did you do anything to study for the GMAT that you wouldn’t recommend to students currently preparing for the test?
  5. How long does it take to study for the GMAT? How early should students take the GMAT?
  6. What is your biggest piece of advice for students beginning the Wharton MBA admissions process or applying to another business school?

Watch the video to hear her answers!

If you like the “Ask a ______ MBA: Admissions and GMAT FAQ” focus of this video, please let us know by liking or commenting on the video — if enough people are interested, we’ll turn it into a series where we interview MBAs from other top business schools!

To stay updated on our latest GMAT videos, you can subscribe to our new PrepScholar GMAT YouTube channel — we’ll have three new free videos every month.

Happy studies!

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