Anonymous wrote:I got 3 out 4 rejections for MBA programs. I'm stuck in a dead end job right now and business school was going to be my exit opportunity. I just don't know what to do. Because of my low salary, I can't afford the DC area anymore and my parents live 2 hours away in a rural area where job opportunities are scarce for someone with a BS. I've been applying for positions that I think I'd qualify for based on my experience, but the pay is too low. It's always been a dream of mine to pursue a Masters, but I'm afraid I may not be cut out for this. I'm also 30, so I don't want to wait that much longer to start grad school. My boyfriend has definitely been supportive, but he doesn't agree with the fact that I'll have to take on debt to pursue higher education. What should I do?

He is right. Be glad you were rejected. Going to grad school as an exit from a low-paying job is just stupid, unless the grad school is likely to lead to something better. An MBA without relevant work experience (a low paying dead end job is NOT relevant work experience for business management) is useless and will just put you in debt. Keep looking for another job. Eventually something will come through - make it something that pays better and is better, not something that will eat up two years of your life and leave you in debt.

A tried and true way of getting into good programs through the back door is to take some classes at the school through a non-degree program and do well. I did that for NYU, my husband for Chicago. Apply to the full time program once you prove you can get good grades.

A well-regarded on-line program might fit the bill. It isn't ridiculous to borrow a little, but the salary bump from a lower ranked program might not be worth much. I'd try to stay under 20K.

Try U Mass Amherst, GA State, James Madison, George Mason

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I have a combined 6 months experience in marketing/sales from undergrad internships, it's been about 9 years, so the experience is outdated. Also, i organize events with a friend as apart of a meetup.com group. I really enjoy this, which why I think meeting and event planning maybe up my alley

PP here who advised you to find a marketing job. There is no reason why you cannot apply for these jobs. In your cover letter you will need to address your experience - but your argument would be as simple as "I truly enjoyed my experiences with marketing during undergrad and actively pursue event planning opportunities part-time." Anyone who reads your cover letter will get the point. I would spend a few days tweaking your resume for a job (as opposed to b school) and start applying to entry-level marketing/communications jobs around town. If you send out 30 resumes and don't get any bites, reassess.

OP here. I have a combined 6 months experience in marketing/sales from undergrad internships, it's been about 9 years, so the experience is outdated. Also, i organize events with a friend as apart of a meetup.com group. I really enjoy this, which why I think meeting and event planning maybe up my alley

Anonymous wrote:OP, if you learn anything from this thread, please DO NOT pursue a degree and put yourself into a large amount of debt if you're unsure of what you want to do or if you're just trying to escape your current job.

Starting your 30's with a huge student loan and job prospects you're not thrilled about will seriously impact the rest of your life...your decision to have kids / how many / when, the area you live in, your retirement. Do it if you're confident about your prospects and you're deeply interested in the subject matter, but the decision should not be taken lightly

This!! Many times over. Grad school is not a good "exit strategy" or "reset button" here. The debt will be an albatross unless you (1) get into a top school; and (2) know exactly what you want to do with the degree (and whether it requires an MBA at all).

Keep your chin up and work on finding a better job.

Anonymous wrote: My boyfriend has definitely been supportive, but he doesn't agree with the fact that I'll have to take on debt to pursue higher education.

In this case, the BF is right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have 6 years of work experience. My GMAT was horrible in the 50th percentile. My current manager submitted a recommendation letter as required. My essays were looked over by a couple of friends of mine.

50th percentile's not great. Is it possible that marketing management is your dream job but not within your capabilities? Is there another profession that you currently have the skills to pursue that could put you on the path towards something enjoyable that doesn't require the same skill level as the GMAT tests and MBA programs require?

NP. Why would OP's GMAT score impact her ability to eventually land in marketing management? Do not listen to people like this, OP. The sole problem here is that OP has no experience in marketing. People land jobs for all kinds of reasons, especially when they are fresh out of college. Just because OP does risk analysis now, does not mean she is not cut out to be a marketing manager.

Therefore, my advice is to start from the bottom in your field of choice - marketing. I see openings daily for great early-career PR positions both in-house and with outside firms. Your salary is very low right now, so I do not see any downside to hitting the proverbial 'reset' button. You may even consider looking for a communications position with a political bent, as it sounds like you are committed to the DC region. Either of these paths will be 100x more effective than an MBA, and they also pay you to learn how to excel in marketing (whereas an MBA from a lower-ranked program will likely end up being a sunk cost).

^ Not getting in could be a blessing in disguise

OP, if you learn anything from this thread, please DO NOT pursue a degree and put yourself into a large amount of debt if you're unsure of what you want to do or if you're just trying to escape your current job.

Starting your 30's with a huge student loan and job prospects you're not thrilled about will seriously impact the rest of your life...your decision to have kids / how many / when, the area you live in, your retirement. Do it if you're confident about your prospects and you're deeply interested in the subject matter, but the decision should not be taken lightly

OP again. HR or meeting/event planning are two other options I could pursue. I should take a look at some career quizzes or tests in order to get a better idea of what I should do. I don't want my 30s to start like this.

Find another job with tuition assistance before you even consider a masters. I'd never have put myself into debt for mine.

Anonymous wrote:I have 6 years of work experience. My GMAT was horrible in the 50th percentile. My current manager submitted a recommendation letter as required. My essays were looked over by a couple of friends of mine.

50th percentile's not great. Is it possible that marketing management is your dream job but not within your capabilities? Is there another profession that you currently have the skills to pursue that could put you on the path towards something enjoyable that doesn't require the same skill level as the GMAT tests and MBA programs require?

Anonymous wrote:What's your ultimate goal? What kind of job do you want to get with an advanced degree?

What's your current job? Maybe a lateral move to a company with more upward mobility makes sense? Making an entry level position in another arena makes sense?

If you are in an admin type job, you are stuck. You need to play the game and tweak your resume to highlight project management or some such so you can land a job with upward mobility.

How about consulting?

Honestly, I don't think grad school makes sense for you. I would never advise anyone to incur significant debt on a degree that would be a gamble for you.

Ideally, I'd like to be a Marketing Manager. Which was my dream job coming out of undergrad, but that didn't happen. I do lower level Risk analysis for Consumer credit cards. A family member worked for my current employer and got me an interview 6 years ago. I've been stuck since. I'm very interested in Consulting, but I'm finding it difficult to locate positions that I'm qualified for.

I have 6 years of work experience. My GMAT was horrible in the 50th percentile. My current manager submitted a recommendation letter as required. My essays were looked over by a couple of friends of mine.