I am a typical case of a wannabe IT Engineer failing to achieve much in 4 years after my college. Recently, when I was denied a promotion even after a score card of 4, I decided to go for an MBA. I know it would sound crazy but at least it will show my frustration. I decided to prepare for GMAT on July 01, 2012 and I am taking it on July19, 2012.(Please don't laugh!)
To my credit I have below experience:
1. Tech Support Analyst - 1 year
2. Lecturer in a govt college- 1 year
3. Software engineer- 2 years (finally:() [This job has brought me 3 professional awards already]

The scores what I am getting in test preps after a short prep is in the range 550-570(Verbal- 27-30, Quant- 37-41).
But, I so frustrated here in my job that I do not want to wait even a single year and go for an MBA. I am so frustrated that I am open even to rank 250 in US.

Please do not suggest me to prepare more, if you can suggest me colleges which will be value for money rather than fetching a high paying job.

I guess these would rank around 100th in the US, and all have average GMATs under 570:
University of Arizona (Eller) (AZ)
Florida State University (FL)
DePaul University (Kellstadt) (IL)
Howard University (DC)
Oklahoma State University (Spears)
Pace University (Lubin) (NY)
Clarkson University (NY)
Willamette University (Atkinson) (OR)
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--Camden
University of Kansas (KS)

Hey Duncan,

I was expecting a reply from you, thanks.
Meanwhile, Hult IBS is calling me for admission in San Francisco Campus. What are my chances for Hult and is it a profitable investment?

Few more highlights on my profile are: I may not be so good at acads but I have been good on extra-curricular activities. Been the editor of school and college magazines. Have been class representative and college representatives. Does it add to my profile.

I have a National certificate of 240 hour social service too.

Thanks.

I never heard of Hult declining a candidate, so I am sure you would get admitted. I think a university would be better for you though, and the two year MBA model would be better for goals.

Duncan,

Which is the best bet in the college list you have provided (please answer in terms of return)?

Thanks!

Arizona and DePaul have higher salaries.

hi Duncan
I have been planning to do MBA in finance, management, or health, from USA
But my problem is that i didn't have maths in my higher secondary and i m not sure whether i would be able to score my gmat or not
So can u pls suggest me the universities which offer an MBA program without requiring the GMAT
thanks

No, I think it will be better for you to improve your maths. The GMAT doesn't really have much harder maths that what 16 year olds have to learn. But if you can get to that level, you'll be able to get into a much better MBA. As you can imagine, employers are less interested in MBA programmes where the students don't have at least high-school skills with numbers.

Hey Duncan,

Hope to get response from you again.
I took my GMAT today and bombed myself. I scored a 19-47 instead of a 30-40 promised earlier. My score has remained what I guessed eatlier.Does this kind of score hamper my application? Please guide, I am clueless right nw.

Thanks for earlier replies.

:(

Yes, unless you improve your maths you'll find it harder to get into a better programme.

Duncan,

Its the other way around. I got 47 in Quants and 19 in Verbal.

:(

Well, look again at the schools I mentioned earlier and start to work on your English :)

Will this big difference in two scores affect anything?

I think it makes you less attractive to schools with fewer international students, and those that use the case method intensively (because a weak verbal score means you'll struggle in classroom discussions). Out of the schools I mentioned earlier, I suggest you focus on:
Florida State University (FL)
DePaul University (Kellstadt) (IL)
Oklahoma State University (Spears)
Pace University (Lubin) (NY)
Clarkson University (NY)
Willamette University (Atkinson) (OR)

This DePaul is really tempting with below figures :

Number of Applicants 320
Number of Admitted Students 285
Acceptance Rate 89.1%
Items required to be admitted.
Admission Requirements Essay
Extracurricular Activities
Letters of Recommendation
Work Experience

The non-refundable cost to submit an application.
Application Fee $60

http://business-schools.findthebest.com/l/262/DePaul-University-Kellstadt-IL

I am not sure of the below much , but as you said it really has good placemnets, so be it:
Average Post-Graduation Salary $73,546

I have started my application at Williammete, but I read that whatever exp I have would be a waste over there(?)

Thanks.

One other great thing about DePaul is that full-time students are welcome in its flexible (usually part-time) programme. That allows you to get a better quality of classmate, and better US networking, while still having full-time visa status. The 'real' full-time programme's applications have closed, but the flexible MBA has rolling admissions.

Does that make us free for part time jobs as well? I am yet to find a discussion board on this college.

As a full-time international student in the US, you can only work on campus.

Yes, I had the idea of that but I wasnt so sure. Thanks!

Between, can you please tell me how do we calculate the average outstanding debt at the time of the graduation? For Williamette and DePaul I was seeing it in range of $ 25k. Also, the average scholarship per student was given as $ 25 k (I cant quote the source as I seem to have it missed), is that true for DePaul?

I don;t have that data, but the schools can give it to you. However, as an international student I don't think you can assume that you'll have average outcomes when it comes to scholarships and financial aid. Again, you should speak to the schools -- and look at the size if their endowments for a rough indication of relative wealth.