MBAs are not easy to come by on the Forbes list, but those that do have them are powerhouse names. All speak of their MBAs as being integral to their success in the business world and give back millions of dollars to their alma maters. With MBAs from top programs under their belts, it is no small feat to attend and graduate from one of these prestigious schools. Attaining attendance could set you on track to become a titan of industry like the 6 below. Here is our list of the Forbes Wealthiest MBAs:
1. Ray Dalio
Before he became famous for his Principles of total honesty and accountability at his multi-billion dollar hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, Ray Dalio attended Harvard Business School. This finance wizard took his education seriously, having already graduated from Long Island University but still needed a great GMAT for Harvard. In 2019, the median GMAT was 730 (top 2% overall), and they even have an incoming student with a perfect score. We expect Ray was on top even back then, given his shrewd and independent thinking style, which is an asset on the GMAT, which is designed to always keep you guessing.
Our guess: 780
2. Herbert Fisk Johnson III
Herbert is the current CEO of S.C Johnson Inc., joining the family business in 1987. He started out as a marketing associate but held a number of positions at the company until being appointed CEO in 2004. His leadership skills helped him win the presidential award for corporate leadership – the Ron Bowman Award. He is an avid learner and has the degrees to prove it, with a total of 6 including an MBA and multiple science ones making him the most educated member on the Forbes list. He attended Cornell University for all his education. With a mean GMAT score of 696 in 2019, Cornell is in the top caliber of graduate schools to attend. With his varied educational background, looking at GMAT problems from multiple viewpoints was a skill that he most likely used to beat the clock while determining the correct answers on the test.
Our guess: 740
3. Leonard Stern
You will recognize this name if you are interested in applying to one of the top business schools in the country. New York University’s business school is named “Stern” due to his $30 million donation. Leonard Stern started out in his successful family pet food business, The Hartz Group, but later went on to sell the company and focus on an industry that he was more interested in: real estate. Since the beginning of his career, he has acquired warehouses across New Jersey, Charlotte, Atlanta, and Baltimore. NYU Stern has a mean GMAT score of 721 and we have no doubt that with his success in the business world Stern scored high on the GMAT. Known for his quick and impactful decision making skills we are sure that he was able to parse and extract vital information from GMAT questions swiftly.
Our guess: 750
4. Warren Buffet
Often referred to as an investing legend, Warren Buffet bought his first stock at just 11, and by 16 had already made more than the equivalent of $53,000 from business ventures and investing. He is the current Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and spends about 80% of his day reading, which undoubtedly helped him achieve a great verbal score on the GMAT score. After being rejected from Harvard Business School he ultimately attended Columbia University for his MBA. The mean GMAT score at Columbia in 2019 was 727 and we are sure that with Warren’s sharp business mind he was able to achieve a stellar GMAT score. Maintaining regular and varied reading practices is a sure way to improve your performance on reading comprehension and sentence correction questions.
Our guess: 760
5. Laurene Powell Jobs
Not only is she the richest woman in the technology industry due to her inheritance from her late husband Steve Jobs, but she is also ranked in the top 50 of the Forbes 400 list. Besides her inheritance, Laurene has a strong financial background having worked at both Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. She is also the co-founder of Terravera and sits on the board of directors of Acheiva. Additionally, she has stakes in the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitals, and Capital One Arena. She graduated from Stanford School of Business with an MBA. The mean GMAT score of the 2019 MBA class at Stanford is 737. From her background and keen eye for gold mine investments, we are sure she used her critical and creative thinking skills to her advantage on the test.
Our guess: 750
6. Jerry Speyer
Jerry Speyer is one of the most well-known New York real estate tycoons and is the Chairman of Tishman Speyer which owns iconic properties such as the Rockefeller Center and the Chrysler Building. In addition to this, the company has developed both international and domestic skyscrapers in Chicago, New York, Berlin, Paris, Frankfurt, and London. He sits on the board of 7 institutions including the Museum of Modern Art and was the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He shares the same alma mater as Warren Buffet, as he attended Columbia University for his MBA.
Our Guess: 770
Final Thoughts
As titans in their respective industries, it is no wonder that the people included in this list have all scored about a 700 on the GMAT. Scoring in this range is a feat that requires dedication, practice, and in many cases a break away from the usual test taking strategies and thinking, but it is not impossible! Book a free consultation now!
Keep prepping.