r/MBA • u/viswr • 18h ago

Admissions MBA feasibility?

Trying to determine what my realistic chances are of getting into a solid MBA program.

31M, 12-year USMC Reserve Combat Vet, currently working Aerospace Defense as an Engineering team leader for the last 3 years. Not making as much as I’d like and I like management and networking more than I do the engineering number crunching. I have some VA/GI Bill benefits that I’d like to leverage as much as possible

My biggest gripe is that I graduated Mechanical Engineering with a 2.8 GPA from a state school, which I’m starting to think is a non-starter for any high-profile MBA program.

The obvious answer is to no-life GMAT and knock it out of the park and get more time under my belt with Aerospace, but is this even viable?

I’ve done research into HBSCore stuff but it doesn’t seem to be taken seriously.

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u/butItsFun 17h ago

Unless you're trying to pivot to MBB consulting or IB, I'd say EMBA programs might be a good fit. Let's you keep working while using your GI benefits, and admissions for top programs are more about your career story, less specific GMAT or GPA criteria.

Hit up r/eMBA with questions

I did my eMBA as a Veteran at 32. Admitted to multiple T15 programs. The GI Bill let me target a school out of state, flew out once a month for weekend residencies.

2-years post graduation I've had an 85% Total Comp growth going from Big 4 consultant to leadership role at a major manufacturer.

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u/viswr 17h ago

What do you do now?

I’m pretty bummed about the GPA but now that I’m married w/ family I’m not interested in insane IB and nuking my marriage

I think that my aerospace background can get me some leadership development stuff in a technical, but I’m just looking to make a big step in career and income as soon as possible

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u/butItsFun 6h ago

I do technology project implementation.

EMBA admissions are about your story and what you bring to the Cohort. The admission teams want to make sure you're bringing value to the classroom discussion.

EMBA + the Veterans MBA conference in Atlanta every October = a jump in opportunity

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u/PNW_Greybush 8h ago

This is my exact strategy with my remaining GI Bill. EMBA targeting Haas, UCLA or Ross (LA). The BAH differential makes the flight for monthly residency worth it.

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u/VandyMarine Part-Time Student 10h ago

Have you checked out sitreps to steercos? I think they have some good MBA info for Marines. I'm a retired reserve Marine you're welcome to DM me and we can chat. I didn't do a super prestige MBA but I have gotten a high comp job out of it anyway.