Need advice and help pls!

[vamsimad]

Hi,

        I am currently 24, turning 25 years this fall.  My undergraduate background is in biology.  GPA is 2.2.  I wrote my GRE November 2013 got scores of 152 V and 154 Q 4.5 AW.  Actually, Before I was able to graduate I attended a caribbean medical school and didn't do well there.

 

Mean while, before I wanna graduate I want to work to help my finances (gain some experience in the IT field in an entry level job - I am currently getting some IT training).  Currently my work experience is 1 year in customer service,  6 months as a summer intern in an NGO, numerous hospital volunteering, leadership experiences.  

 

I plan to graduate when I am 26-27.  Then apply for MBA schools in the States.

 

What are my chances for a top tier or even a upper mid tier MBA school?

 

Eventually, I hope to make a career in the IT field...maybe start a small company sort of thing

Edited May 21, 2014 by vamsimad

[Vene]

A 2.2 GPA and mediocre GRE scores do not bode well for you, unfortunately. Also, if you want to start a company why not just start a company?

[starofdawn]

Do you want to leave the biology field? Where are you gaining your IT training? Also why do you want to pursue an MBA? Unfortunately your GPA and GRE scores will not land you in a top-tier MBA program in the US.

[rvict]

Hi,

        I am currently 24, turning 25 years this fall.  My undergraduate background is in biology.  GPA is 2.2.  I wrote my GRE November 2013 got scores of 152 V and 154 Q 4.5 AW.  Actually, Before I was able to graduate I attended a caribbean medical school and didn't do well there.

 

Mean while, before I wanna graduate I want to work to help my finances (gain some experience in the IT field in an entry level job - I am currently getting some IT training).  Currently my work experience is 1 year in customer service,  6 months as a summer intern in an NGO, numerous hospital volunteering, leadership experiences.  

 

I plan to graduate when I am 26-27.  Then apply for MBA schools in the States.

 

What are my chances for a top tier or even a upper mid tier MBA school?

 

Eventually, I hope to make a career in the IT field...maybe start a small company sort of thing

 

What do you consider to be IT? What path are you wanting to go down? If you're going the MBA route, I assume you're talking about higher end consulting. That's why I'm a bit confused about the "IT training" thing--most IT certs are strictly low level stuff and you don't want to go down that road.

 

GPA is low; are you sure you actually have an interest in biology? If you're serious about IT, move into a technical/vocational program or a degree that is computer-related. CS, MIS, whatever. MBA admissions at top schools require a strong GPA, test scores, and some good work experience. I would not count entry level IT as good work experience here unless you're doing something like jr PM. The more work experience you have, the less GPA matters.

[vamsimad]

I just want to get footing into the IT field at the moment an entry level job to start off.  I am learning QA/SAP/Microsoft/testing tools at the moment.  Since I did not do well in Biology (My GPA is low) would the reputation of the university bode well for MBA programs since I am from a world top 20 university and did some research? 

 

Also as you said, what graduate degrees computer related are out there which will help me land good jobs?  And which schools offer these degrees?

[rvict]

I just want to get footing into the IT field at the moment an entry level job to start off.  I am learning QA/SAP/Microsoft/testing tools at the moment.  Since I did not do well in Biology (My GPA is low) would the reputation of the university bode well for MBA programs since I am from a world top 20 university and did some research? 

 

Also as you said, what graduate degrees computer related are out there which will help me land good jobs?  And which schools offer these degrees?

I see a lot of people who never progress beyond QA. Pay sucks.

 

2.2 GPA is a show stopper for most MBA programs. Research is not terribly important for an MBA, since it's much closer to a professional program than an academic one.

 

Here's another option:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Science_in_Information_Systems

 

The important thing to look for is what sort of internships or work experience opportunities people in the program are getting. Experience is far more important than education in IT.

 

 

Are you still in your UG program? Your first post is a bit unclear--you reference wanting to make some $$ before graduating, but also refer to graduation as a past event. If you're still in, the only focus should be pulling your GPA up. If you're serious about MBA, a very high GMAT score and a few years in the industry (doing manage-y type stuff, not QA/tech support/coding) may give you a shot at a decently ranked program. If you're thinking about any graduate-level education, retake the GRE to fix your scores.

I honestly think that the 2.2 GPA is too big of an obstacle, though. You may be better served by doing a 2 year degree in a business-oriented computing program. Students from my local CC do work terms as things like jr BA or project assistants, which give you a career path to grow from.

 

Do you know anybody working in IT who could give you a leg up or take a chance on you? That would be more beneficial than any MBA imo

 

edit: it goes without saying that I have not looked into pursuing an MBA so my advice may not be 100% in agreement with the realities of business school admissions. However, I think the general advice given here about having weakness in 1 of 3 important metrics (GPA, GRE, research for MA/MSc/PhD; GPA, GMAT/GRE, work exp for MBA) holds.

Edited May 22, 2014 by rvict

[vamsimad]

I am just short of a credit to graduate.  I am just thinking to work for a while, take the credit on the side and graduate.  so no hope of pulling up my GPA.  I need to work to pay off my tuition loans before I can move on. Plus, work experience also helps for grad programs.  I am hoping the IT experience will help me get into some sort of grad school (since my gpa is low).

 

Also, I am open to use the QA entry job as a work/internship experience to get footing into grad school - as you said QA pay sucks.  The MSIS option looks promising as you said, but just as with an MBA, it seems worthless without hard core work experience.  What is the career outlook for an MSIS graduate - pay wise, careerwise, job wise?

 

Another question is, since I have no background in computers and have novice background in QA testing, will an internship/entry level position help me get into graduate programs into software engineering?  If not, other than QA testing, what other courses and placement should I get to get myself into this field?

Edited May 22, 2014 by vamsimad

[Vene]

Another question is, since I have no background in computers and have novice background in QA testing, will an internship/entry level position help me get into graduate programs into software engineering?  If not, other than QA testing, what other courses and placement should I get to get myself into this field?

I sincerely doubt work experience will be enough to get a grad degree in software engineering. You're going to need the coursework one would get from a BS in computer science or related fields. Your biology degree doesn't overlap and switching fields makes your academic record all the more important because you're going to have to learn 4 years worth of engineering before you can hit graduate level work. If you really want this I sincerely believe you will have to go back to undergrad.

[vamsimad]

Thank you for your advice.  I guess an MSIS degree is the best option.  I understand regarding the BS comp sci degree but at the same time, there are civil/electrical engineers without any course work in computers who are software engineers.  Infact, I know doctors who couldnt get licenced in the united states work in the IT field for a while and end up as soft ware engineers.  Is there a way the MSIS option also opens up opportunities in the software realm?  Otherwise, I don't think the door is shut for people novice comp background to advance in software or even with enough experience get into a graduate school with software engineering.

 

In the end, it depends on how good you are in the software world.  A friend I know recruits people into the IT field who have foreign bachelors education (unrelated to software) but were smart enough and hard working enough to gain enough experience to excel.

 

One plus point about the software field is hard work and dedication along with application of knowledge will take you farther than university degrees.  The New CEO of Microsoft for instance has a worthless paper degree from Manipal University which I know is a degree mill school which churns thousands of students.