Non-traditional Business School Candidate

[Anonymous]

Hello. I am a prospective Yale School of Management student. I currently work in the non-profit sector, primarily working with financial justice and microfinance issues. My ultimate aim is to work in the microfinance sector, eventually I want to start my own non-profit to empower low income populations by providing small loans. I am a non-traditional business school student and thus I am worried that I will not be as competitive as other prospective students with strong financial backgrounds. I was initially scared to apply to business school, primarily because I believe I have weak analytical skills and because, as a Mexican woman, I have been strongly discouraged from applying by family members that believe business is not for women. I graduated from an Ivy League University but have a mediocre GPA (3.4). I have four questions for the admissions staff: (1) What would you recommend to an applicant who has weak GMAT scores to do in order to bolster his/her application? (2) Are students with a non-profit background looked down upon in the application process and is it necessary for them to have some financial experience? (3) Is is possible to do a joint MA/MBA at Yale? I am interested in comibing a Masters in Public Policy and a Business degree. (4) How does the Yale School of Managament ensure that it is a welcoming place for women and minority students?

I look forward to your response.

[Anonymous]

I'm just another prospective student but I don't see why you shouldn't apply. Your GPA is good (the average for incoming students according to the SOM Web site is 3.4) so that shouldn't be a reason for backing out. And remember 20% of students at the school scored less than 640 on the GMAT. I doubt that an adcom member would explicitly say this, but I'm sure you have noticed both women and Hispanic students have low representation, so I'm sure they will look hard for rationale to admit you. If your GMAT is weak you'll have to provide the rationale in essays and recommendations. If it's quantitative stuff especially, maybe highlight some calculus or other courses and your grades there if they were good, or other quantitative work you've done since.

Those are just my guesses based on research I've been doing. I am probably going to apply to Yale and I don't have any background in finance or accounting (I write for a living). I think they just want to feel reassured that you'll be able to pick it up quickly. They will need some kind of proof though if the GMAT doesn't provide it.

Also maybe you saw it but there does seem to be some info on women and minorities on the Web site that could apply to you:
http://mba.yale.edu/news_events/women.asp
http://mba.yale.edu/news_events/hmba.asp

[kmga]

RG,

We enthusiasticaaly welcome "non-traditional" applicants. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, including education, public service, non-profits, engineering and science, as well as more traditional areas such as finance, marketing, and consulting.

1. If you have a weak GMAT score, you might consider retaking the exam, concentrating on the section you scored lower on. Preparedness for the coursework might also be shown through undergraduate courses such as statistics and calculus and/or through work.

2. Please see my above comment. Applicants from the non-profit world are not looked down upon in any way!

3. We do have joint degrees with several other Yale programs. Please see our website for more information:

http://mba.yale.edu/mba_admissions/admissions/ad_programs.shtml

4. SOM is committed to a diverse student body. Of the incoming class, 38% are women, 8% are historically under-represented minorities and about 21% are international. We have several student clubs that ensure a welcoming presence on campus, including Women in Management, The Black Business Alliance, The Hispanic Advisory Council, Q+ Gay/Straight Alliance, and several international clubs. Please see our website for a complete list:

http://www.som.yale.edu/students/activities/clubs.asp

kmga

[govguy]

RG,

We enthusiasticaaly welcome "non-traditional" applicants. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, including education, public service, non-profits, engineering and science, as well as more traditional areas such as finance, marketing, and consulting.

1. If you have a weak GMAT score, you might consider retaking the exam, concentrating on the section you scored lower on. Preparedness for the coursework might also be shown through undergraduate courses such as statistics and calculus and/or through work.

2. Please see my above comment. Applicants from the non-profit world are not looked down upon in any way!

3. We do have joint degrees with several other Yale programs. Please see our website for more information:

http://mba.yale.edu/mba_admissions/admissions/ad_programs.shtml

4. SOM is committed to a diverse student body. Of the incoming class, 38% are women, 8% are historically under-represented minorities and about 21% are international. We have several student clubs that ensure a welcoming presence on campus, including Women in Management, The Black Business Alliance, The Hispanic Advisory Council, Q+ Gay/Straight Alliance, and several international clubs. Please see our website for a complete list:

http://www.som.yale.edu/students/activities/clubs.asp

kmga

I took some time off of school to start my own company. After a few years, I now manage a government IT divison. I still have a couple of years to go before I finish my undergrad, but I have alot of management/business related experience. What advice would you give to me? Could I apply to SoM next cycle, or would I have to finish my ugrad first?

[lmd]

I took some time off of school to start my own company. After a few years, I now manage a government IT divison. I still have a couple of years to go before I finish my undergrad, but I have alot of management/business related experience. What advice would you give to me? Could I apply to SoM next cycle, or would I have to finish my ugrad first?

Hi govguy,

Yes, you would have to finish your undergrad degree before matriculating at Yale SOM. Typically we look at full-time work experience post-undergrad, but your situation is different. You should highlight all the full-time work experience you've had during your time "off" between school.

lmd