Normal Distributions are Distributed Normally

Normal Distributions are Distributed Normally

If you have enough people or samples in any set of data, when measuring a variable it will always take on the characteristics of a Normal Distribution. What does that mean? Think Bell Curve.

I know everyone hates that thing, but it really does serve a purpose. Let's talk about test scores:

In a class of 60 students there is an average for the test score (out of a max of 100%) of say 75%. And there is a Standard Deviation of 8%. So if you look at a bell curve, 68% of the class would score between 83% (75% + 8%) and 67% (75% - 8%). This range of 67% to 83% is the distance from one standard deviation less than the average to one standard deviation greater than the average.

Most of the class average 68% will lie in the above range.

Two standard deviations away from the mean is...

59% to 92%: which means that 95% of the class scores between these two scores. Which makes a lot of sense if the teacher gave a fair test.

However it is unlikely very many people will score above 99% or bellow 51% on the test (3 standard deviations). In fact only about 2% of the class will get a score out side of the three standard deviation range.

So, what does this mean? Look at your GMAT scores for business school. Each time a test is administered, there is a sample of scores. So, on the day I took my GMAT I got a 610. There I no way to know what that means relative to everyone that has ever taken the GMAT, because there are differences and abnormalities from test year / month to the next test year / month.

How do schools help decipher your score? They use the percentiles. Every single time the percentile is understood to mean the same thing. How many people scored less than you did on the test? Based on YOUR sample. I scored 610. What does that mean? I was in the 92 percentile. So 92% of the people taking the test, around the same time as I did, scored less than I did.

This number 92% actually mean something. Some people say... I got a 610 too, but that is irrelevant. If they scored in the 70% percentile they technically did worse, because more people did better than they did.

Spring 2010 Admissions Standards

At Orientation one of the first things the speaker went over was the class profile for the incoming class. The admissions standards for previous terms I posted about here. I discussed my qualifications for MBA admissions here.

This is the 2nd Semester of the 3rd year the Evening Program has been in existence. When I went to the Information Session Paula told us that ideally there would maximize at 90 students for this Semester. Interestingly, there are only 56 incoming students. I would like to contribute this slightly lower number to the program being a little more selective. Honestly, I am excited about a more intimate class, as I have heard bad things about other programs that are much larger.

The breakdown for the Spring 2010 class is as follows:

56 Total Incoming Students (there is now 295 students in the Evening program)

Demographics

26% Women
22% Minorities
7% International

Background

41% Engineering
34% Business and Economics
16% Social Science and Humanities
8% Math and Physics

Education and Test Score Average

GMAT: 622
GPA: 3.3
Work Experience: 5+
Age: 30

So, there you go, the 2010 Spring Semester incoming class demographics.

Scores and Background

Scores and Background

I scheduled the GMAT around college football season as I knew I would never actually study with my beloved Gators distracting me. I took the test on September 5th. I didn’t know what to expect in terms of results, practice tests ended with scores ranging from 450 (eek) to 550 (ok). Since I studied for this exam more than I had prepared for any standardize test before, I was going to do my best. So my score was…

…we will get there.

Everyone Has a GPA Excuse:
Firstly, I was all over the place in college, before settling on a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Boy ‘o boy did my GPA suffer for my lack of a clearly defined path. I took engineering courses and accounting courses and science courses… the list goes on and on. Undergrad ended with a relatively poor GPA, I never cared much, until I realized how much easier the graduate school application process would have been if my GPA had been better.

Score: 2.96/4.0.
Completely Useless Percentage (CUP): 74.00%

Lesson learned from GPA: GPA is important for more than just obtaining your first job out of college.

LSAT: The No Other Current Options Test
You should know, I have always been pretty schizophrenic when it comes to my career choices. While I was in college I wanted to be a Chiropractor, a testament to my healthy lifestyle, but I am horrible in the sciences (and honestly, unsure about the field). Next, I assumed, as many college juniors do, lawyer-ing (made up word, but I like it) would be the path for me… took the LSAT, didn’t enjoy any aspect of the preparation, and didn’t perform nearly as well as my GPA demanded I do to get into, well… any school really.

Score: 148/180.
CUP: 82.22%

Lesson learned from LSAT: don’t take LSAT if you aren’t sure you want to go to law school.

Real Life Out of Necessity:
My first job out of college was a job (that’s all, not a career by any means). I got a 9-5-er as a Sales Manager with a very reputable Hotel Company. The job was perfect for everyone, they paid me very little since it was a first job out of college, and I approached it as… well… a first job out of college. My boss’s all jumped ship when the hotel sale was announced and a less productive co-worker was promoted over me. She made my life hell until I left. Worked there for 2.5 years.

Spent six months as a Restaurant Manager. Highly not recommended.

I was offered a job in Atlanta from former bosses and the previous hotel management company. Left Hotel Company for good for current consulting job, been here for 14 months.

Score: 4.5 years of work experience

Lesson learned from Real Life: Do your job, see if you want a career in that field, if not, look for next job, don't burn bridges, and never be out of work.

GRE:
I took the GRE as a possible out from job one. Did decently, but not nearly well enough (again, as my GPA demanded) to land in a decent school in any type of graduate program. Alas, out of necessity, I focused on my career.

Score: 1070/1600
CUP: 66.88%
Analytical Writing: 4.5/6.0
CUP: 75.00%

Lesson learned from GRE: my score was competitive for many programs… however, my GPA was a load of poo. Real lesson learned: if your GPA isn’t very good, then you better get a REALLY REALLY good score on your GRE.

GMAT: My Last Possible Option for More Education
The night of September 4, rather than cramming for the test (which I know wouldn’t help me) I spent the evening drinking beer with my beautiful girlfriend (more on her later). I woke up at 6:00 AM with a massive headache and, soon to be, hangover. It was a struggle, but goodness I did pretty well.

Score: 610/800.
CUP: 76.25%
Analytical Writing: 5.5/6.0
CUP 91.67%

So, if you are keeping score at home I have now taken all three major, non-medical, graduate admissions exams.

Lesson learned from GMAT: A pretty good score and some work experience is really the only way around a poor GPA.

Hopefully I get into a program.