MarkMc

Princeton is a great town. I took my first VP job in town on Nassau St. It's a great little college town and the surrounding area is pretty affluent (they one of the best public school districts in the state). Getting in and out can be tough (Route 1 is a nightmare during rush hour and 27 is a 2 lane setup that can take a while to get anywhere). You can certainly live and work. If someone is commuting to NYC you'd have to take the train, connect to Princeton Junction and head up. Living around Princeton Junction, Trenton, or Hamilton Train Stations is a benefit. Trenton will be the cheapest, but can be rough (there are some nice historic neighborhoods in Mill Hill, Cadawalder Heights, Hiltonia) that have held up. Hamilton is kind of transitional between Trenton and Princeton. Princeton Junction is straight suburbia, no downtown, but quick access to surrounding areas. Keep in mind that train service comes into Penn - so tack on time to get around the city if someone isn't working in that area. Commuting to Princeton from Columbia or vice versa could be suicide (2 hours?). Jersey City has great transit service into the city, but then you're looking at a reverse drive of 45min-1hour (with light traffic) or you can park at the Airport or in Newark and take the train down. I rate Princeton highly and would love to return someday.

No - I think they'll look at both your overall GPA, as well as current and schedule coursework (have you been academically rigorous getting to this point?)

I grew up in the area and I started at Penn State. I started as a not great college student and finished elsewhere, but here are my thoughts on State College. It is remotely located. The surrounding towns aren't large and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are a jaunt. However, since this was fired up I-99 has been completed giving better North/South access through the area (My 5 hour drive home from NYC has been cut from 5 hours to 4). State College does have a downtown with shopping, restaurants, bars, etc that are all within walking distance. Since it is a large school with many draws there is diversity. I've never felt uncomfortable, but always enjoyed my time on campus.

There are certain areas that will weigh a "name" school heavily. Not sure student affairs is one of those. Keep in mind that someone with a "name" school on their application may garner some attention and help move things along, this type of program is likely to take admits from all over the place. It's another reason to have your recommendations, test scores, etc stand out where they can.

I think using a MBA to a PhD is wise. It gives practical business knowledge. The program that I went through had core classes, breadth electives, and concentration. You could add directed research into any of these areas (in your discipline or not). I elected to add a directed research to my concentration. I was also a dual MA candidate that required a research project, so I got experience on that side as well. Now the waiting begins for the Doctoral applications.

Think about how you'd like to go about it and the type of positions/roles you'd like to target. I opted for a MBA with a Concentration in Finance, rather than a MS in Finance - since I wanted exposure to the other business disciplines, a heavy management influence, etc.

I can't imagine it being a deal breaker. I would encourage you to schedule an interview ahead of the date (so you're front of line) make a connection with someone and then follow-up after the weekend.

Yes. And keep in mind that your recommendations will be important, especially if they are coming from a chair of that department or whomever is teaching your class. Any decision will have to be based on coursework completed, GPA, etc. They will qualify your acceptance subject to a conferred degree.

Yes - then I would definitely see the request for an official copy as a positive sign! Breathe easy!

You're right that a high GRE and a high GPA doesn't equal an automatic acceptance, but it does far in sorting candidates into viable/not viable in the first round, and moving files to the top of the stack. Research in many fields is quite diverse and even if not directly related can often be overseen by someone in the department who understands research methods. Ah yea - Geology is a toughie - there aren't a lot of programs around and they probably aren't as flexible as what I'm looking at (that will allow travel for residencies, etc.) You may be able to court the professor to help your application move along, no?

What types of programs were you looking at for the graduate level? And yea - I feel you. I had to whittle down my list based on cost, location, and flexibility (I need to work in the near time and I'm hoping to maximize their contribution, equating to looking at lower tuition). I only applied to NYU since they sent a free application after I took my GRE (my non-impressive GRE - it was to the former Poly, which is now their School of Engineering).

Neist - for the infographic - I can't tell if that is Master or Doctorate level (after giving it a read). Do you know? It was interesting none the less!

Kansas State only requires unofficial (I uploaded them on the system) or at least the Graduate School. The program I required to wanted official. However, the lady I spoke to at the Graduate School said they only ask for official transcripts from universities where you have conferred degrees. I'd take this as a positive that they want to verify the information and move you along in the process.

When you say sponsor - in what way? I think you'll find that there are still minimum requirements, but often a way to reach them. If there are specific universities that your company partners with, it may make your path easier. Other schools you may have to start non-matric or on probation. Talk to the admissions office of the schools you are considering.

Many programs have work required before certain classes, etc. Many with Business Undergrads can opt out/test out etc. You may not get out of some of the early work like these folks, but it won't work against you. Your GPA is going to be on the cusp for many programs. Make sure you have a strong GRE/GMAT and none of this will be out of reach. Psych actually lends itself to business nicely (Management, Leadership, etc.)

It's hard to say without the rest of the puzzle - GRE/GMAT, etc. You may need to expand your search beyond top 5 programs.

Mac - where are you from? The GPA will be a challenge. Your GRE converts into a nice GMAT score. I'd recommend you take a look at schools that would be in reach. Talk to the Director of Admissions for programs you like. Get their input. Some are very accessible. You may have to start as a non-matric or come in on probation, but I can't imagine that it is out of reach.

You've picked very strong MBA programs. The GRE doesn't always compare well to the GMAT - have you considered taking it? How is it starting to look? I bombed the GMAT, but had solid work experience, a high GPA, and was applied to a lower profile dual program.

So while I sit here in misery, being outscored by the braggers in some of the areas (I don't think my 95th+ percentile score is high enough with nauseatingly attractive 3.7 GPA) I thought about what my other options are. Then. It occurred to me. The one thing I thought before I started into a MBA/MA program. Education is there to learn. It's there to enjoy. We can all compete and get stressed out by the process - but what good is that? So, I filled out an application to my local community college for an AA in Latino Studies. It will be nice background for some of my MA work, teach me a new language, and take me back to learning for the sake of learning. I'm hoping it takes the edge off of the Doctoral process, too.

I'd be inclined to send both.

I'm in my mid 30's. I broke 300 (308) but certainly didn't set the world on fire. I just sent applications anyway. Then I'll decide a course of action after.

Have you developed a plan for where you're interested? You may be able to get some information for what they look and their typical student profile. I applied to business and technology programs with a V156, Q152, AW4.5. I'll never get the quant section. I put together research, but those questions are just beyond me.

I had to contact Kansas State regarding this. They were able to just look me up and find me in some almighty database. I'm thinking that perhaps the codes are for tracking, rather than school use. It seems once the scores make their way to your target school they're available to anyone with access.

I would submit both. What do you have to lose?

I'm in the same boat. I have no publications (I completed a dual program - MBA/MA - Diplomacy & International Relations). I bombed my GMAT, but it was the exact minimum score to get into my program. GRE is 156V, 152Q, 4.5AW. My GPA is a blend of the programs (3.66), but my MBA would be north of 3.9 alone (Diplomacy and IR was a new field for me and very, very background intensive). I applied to 4 programs. I've gotten 1 interview. Nothing back on the others yet, but I'm sweating bullets. Hoping my work experience and recommendations make a big difference.