Hi Scott and Omari,

Could you please evaluate my chances for Harvard/Col/Wharton? I will be taking the GMAT again in two days, but could you please give me an honest assessment based on my current GMAT score? My post-MBA ambition is to develop sustainable architecture as both an architect and developer, ideally throughout North America and Asia. I am Canadian-born, Asian Male, 28 yrs old.

Another question: In my web research I have yet to find any architect resumes for Harvard. Do you know of any architects at b-school at Harvard and how their profiles might compare with mine? I have only come across other architect resumes for Wharton and Columbia. Could you also talk a little bit about the advantage or disadvantage of applying as an architect? It would seem that architects comprise less than 1% of the b-school applicant field. Thanks.


GMAT 670 (43Q 39V 89% overall)( 2nd attempt from 610)
- B.Architecture Univ. of Toronto. GPA 3.3
- Studied abroad in Nice, France, travelled to to 11 countries and 40 cities throughout Europe in undergrad
- f-t exp: Intern Architect/designer--4 years, will be completing full licensure requirements in 2006.

- currently in lead role as designer on a new building for the University of Michigan Walgreen Drama School & the Arthur Miller Theater, Ann Arbor, Mich. ($35 mil.-under construction)
- Previous projects with significant design responsibilities:
- National Ballet School of Canada, Toronto ($90mill)- completed 2005
- Hewlett-Packard Science & Technology Institute, Centennial College,Toronto, 2004completed($65 million)

Both the Ballet School and HP Institute are critically acclaimed and have won design awards and been exhibited and published. The HP centre is also a "sustainable" building.

- I have excellent recommendations from two principals of the firm who have both taught at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

-my undergrad. summer w. exp (all in Toronto) includes working in a small architecture firm managing all aspects of the practice, and a large international firm working on arch. competitions in Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Germany.

- AWARDS: U of T Scholarship, 2nd Place in Metro Toronto Violin Competition, numerous pre-university art and writing awards (do these really count?)
- XCUR- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Assistant Instructor and submission grappling competitor. Habitat for Humanity Volunteer.

THANKS

Thanks for your response Scott.

Unfortunately I will be applying with my current gmat of 670 which I know is below the average and on the lower end of the 80% range for the schools I am applying to--do you know what the best way to counteract this score would be? I'm going to talk about my unique work experience in my essays, but should I refer to my GMAT score explicitly in my essays, or should I just not mention it at all, and rely on the other aspects of my application? Thanks for your time.

J