Read my post on GMAT Tiers. With over 6,000 views, it's one of the most read posts on the board. http://www.find-mba.com/board/27082

Thanks, JK.

Based on your list, I'm guessing Crainfield is out of my league. What about Cass and Warwick? I'm within their average GMAT range. Which one would you recommend?

My main choice is Imperial and I gather from your tier list that I've got a shot. But I need a plan B. So, Warwick, Cass or Manchester?

Cambridge and LBS may be too far out... But I'll try anyway...

The GMAT is the single most important thing for the schools. But what about you? What's your background, and what are your goals? If they are interesting, and and if you bring something different to the classroom, then Cranfield will be interested in you.

This year Warwick requires a 650 minimum, but you need to weigh up the different educational formats at Warwick (9 months, with a very compressed core), Cranfield (12 months, a balanced core) and Manchester (18 months, with a balanced core, internships, several projects and an international exchange). Warwick is a great fit for people who don't want to change career, industry or country, but want to move up faster). Manchester is excellent for people who want to change two or three of those factors.

I agree with Duncan - if your profile is unique enough, then a lower GMAT score might not be a huge deal at a school like Cranfield.

Also, Cass is in London, which might make sense if you're trying to get into finance or a related field. It also has an international consultancy week.

Thanks to you both.

My profile isn't that unusual. I'm a lawyer and there is a bunch of lawyers doing MBAs these days. Although LLMs are all the hype... I work with M&A and have been doing so for about 8 years. I even saw someone on this forum with a profile extremely similar to mine... So I'm not unusual...

What about Hult? They have a campus in London and I saw they've had a good performance in international mobility according to the profile on FT. Just so you know, international mobility and changing industry (from M&A lawyer to an M&A consultant) are my main goals.

There's a long thread about Hult elsewhere on this site. I think a better established brand, ideally one that's part of a traditional university or has triple accreditation, should be within your grasp.

Your goal is really specific, and I think it would be great to work on improving your GMAT. How international is your range? In Europe you really need to be looking at INSEAD, IESE, LBS and Oxbridge.

Hello Duncan

I believe that you would be the best person to answer this question.

I have a GMAT of 610 and have an interview call from Manchester Business School.

Do you have any idea whether they admit students with a 610 on the GMAT?

Even though I plan to write the exam again, I have to give the interview in Jan with a 610.

Do you think that during the interview it would be wise to tell them that I plan to write the exam again in March? Maybe they will not reject me based on my GMAT alone once they get to know that I will write the exam again?

Please let me know your views.

Yes, yes, and yes. Good luck. Take a look at http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/rankings/full_time_mba_profiles/manchester.html

Just so you know, international mobility and changing industry (from M&A lawyer to an M&A consultant) are my main goals.

Then if I were you, I'd work on my GMAT to get it into Cranfield range. Reason being is that Cranfield has an elective module in "Managing International Mergers and Acquisitions" - and this focus tends to be pretty rare in business schools in the UK.

It would be pretty difficult to get into M&A with a single course

It would be pretty difficult to get into M&A with a single course

Thanks Donho199.

I understand it's hard to get into M&A with only one course, but I do have 8 years' experience in M&A as a lawyer. Do you still think an MBA will not help me with that?

You need to get into the best MBA you can, and that's probably Cranfield. With a better GMAT, you'd be able to get into a school with strong M&A alumni bases, like LBS, Cambridge or Cass.

Imperial or Manchester are good safety schools: on consulting (rather than pure finance) side of M&A Manchester is stronger than Cass..

You need to get into the best MBA you can, and that's probably Cranfield. With a better GMAT, you'd be able to get into a school with strong M&A alumni bases, like LBS, Cambridge or Cass.

Imperial or Manchester are good safety schools: on consulting (rather than pure finance) side of M&A Manchester is stronger than Cass..

Thanks for the advice.

I will work on my GMAT and see if I can pull off a 680 at least. That would put me in Cranfield range and would give me a fighting chance at Cambridge (I think). But I will apply to Imperial and MBS as well.

Look at the deadlines. I think you're an easy admit at Manchester, but apply to Cambridge ASAP.

Look at the deadlines. I think you're an easy admit at Manchester, but apply to Cambridge ASAP.

Thanks Duncan.

I don't plan on starting my MBA in 2013 or 2014, but rather in 2015. I will apply later, but I will make sure my application is the first one to arrive at Cambridge for the 2015 intake.

Hello,
I have got a 640 GMAT score. But my full-time work experience is 6 months and continuing ( as a independent working insurance agent). I am confused to apply for which B-schools in UK due to less work experience.Please reply asap.

I suggest people reply to you at http://www.find-mba.com/board/32271

Great thread!

I got a 650 on my GMAT too, and I was considering these exact UK business schools (Manchester/Warwick/Cambridge...)

But I'm also looking at Cass - How is Cass compared to the others? The average GMAT looks like it's in the 630 range so I'm basically treating it as a "safety" school if I can't get into Cambridge.

I would not describe is as a safety school, since a safety school would be one where you are more or less guaranteed to get accepted. The average at Cass moves around from year to year. Over the last few years the averages have been: 630; 634; 638; 650; 660... it can be anywhere in that range. The average of admitted students at Cass is more or less the same as the average of applicants, so don't think that your score in itself is enough.

If you're an early applicant and you bring some diversity into the classroom then you'd be a competitive candidate. If you're a male Asian with no record in non-profit volunteering, then it's harder.

PS 650 is now the *minimum* as Warwick. You maybe need to re-sit to be a competitive candidate there