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non-native english speaker, engineer major going for an MBA should take GRE vs GMAT?

diana - 2010-07-21 10:42:19 - Higher Education (University +)

I am considering obtaining an MBA at an IB league school. But I am wondering which test should I take.. can anyone help me make the decision? -I am about to complete a Mechanical engineer major in the US and I feel comfortable with math -I have not taken a probability and statistic course...but I am considering this option as an Senior elective -I am a non-native english speaker.. I am 22 and I learned English when I was 12. I speak spanish at home and english at school and work. I am not the best in vocabulary and I've read that GRE focuses on this area a lot... What can you recommend me?

Best Answer:

For MBA admission, definitely take the GMAT. However, you are premature. Most MBA programs prefer students with 2-3 years work experience after the first degree. Some accept students right out of college if they have good grades and a high GMAT score. Some MBA programs are designed specifically for new college graduates without work experience. But in those programs you don't get the benefit of learning from other students who have work experience. A lot of valuable learning takes place through class interaction. You would benefit from an MBA far more if you get some work experience before you consider graduate school. Consult the Official MBA Guide. It's a comprehensive free public service with more than 2,000 MBA programs listed worldwide. It allows you to search for programs by location (US, Europe, Far East, etc.), by concentration (finance, marketing, aviation management, health management, accounting, etc.), by type of program (full-time, distance learning, part-time, executive, and accelerated), and by listing your own criteria and preferences to get a list of universities that satisfy your needs. Schools report their accreditation status, tuition cost, number of students, class sizes, program length, and a lot of other data. Schools provide data on entrance requirements, program costs, program characteristics, joint degrees, and much more. You can use the Guide to contact schools of your choice, examine their data, visit their web site, and send them pre applications. You can see lists of top 40 schools ranked by starting salaries of graduates, GMAT scores, and other criteria.

Answers:

The GMAT is specifically for business school. Some schools will allow you to substitute the GRE, but that would not help you if your language skills are challenged. Take the GMAT. You're not going to get into a Ivy League school, but it will be your best shot.

For MBA admission, definitely take the GMAT. However, you are premature. Most MBA programs prefer students with 2-3 years work experience after the first degree. Some accept students right out of college if they have good grades and a high GMAT score. Some MBA programs are designed specifically for new college graduates without work experience. But in those programs you don't get the benefit of learning from other students who have work experience. A lot of valuable learning takes place through class interaction. You would benefit from an MBA far more if you get some work experience before you consider graduate school. Consult the Official MBA Guide. It's a comprehensive free public service with more than 2,000 MBA programs listed worldwide. It allows you to search for programs by location (US, Europe, Far East, etc.), by concentration (finance, marketing, aviation management, health management, accounting, etc.), by type of program (full-time, distance learning, part-time, executive, and accelerated), and by listing your own criteria and preferences to get a list of universities that satisfy your needs. Schools report their accreditation status, tuition cost, number of students, class sizes, program length, and a lot of other data. Schools provide data on entrance requirements, program costs, program characteristics, joint degrees, and much more. You can use the Guide to contact schools of your choice, examine their data, visit their web site, and send them pre applications. You can see lists of top 40 schools ranked by starting salaries of graduates, GMAT scores, and other criteria.