Hi Linda,

So, this is another profile requesting your evaluation and advice.

Undergrad: Physics major with a very low GPA of 2.6 (embarrassing!!)

Graduate degree: MA in Economics from JHU (part-time). GPA: 3.62

GMAT: 650 on 1st attempt. Took it again recently and in spite of being better prepared, I got a de-motivating 500-something. (didn't even look at the last 2 digits after staring at the 1st for a good minute.)

Work experience: 4+ years at a big international organization (dealing with Economics) which is in the media almost everyday. Have progressed my career at this organization from a ‘temp’ in the HR department, during the recession of 2001, to my current extremely analytical staff position as a Financial and Accounting Analyst in the Finance department. I work on projects that have an impact internationally and deal on a daily basis with central banks authorities of different countries, the FRBNY etc. I initially was one of two members of a team responsible for the daily operations involved in managing a portfolio of $60-70 billion and now that the other person is on maternity leave, I am the only one doing the everyday work on this portfolio.

Undergraduate experience: Was way too involved in college. Was the elected president of an international organization for 2 consecutive years, was elected to be on the Student Senate, part of Dean’s Advisory committee, co-founded a Cricket club and a Chess club and played rugby and soccer. These are just a few of the activities I was involved in.

Post-graduate extracurricular experience: nothing major as I was attending graduate school mostly. Did tutor math to a high school student for last year Summer (but that was paid)

Reason for pursuing MBA: Want to break into the private sector after having worked purely at a non-profit international organization. Interested in the derivatives market and after talking to people in my area of interest I have realized that MBA is the logical bridge required to land a job in that field.

Other factors pertaining to (the rather embarrassing) undergraduate academic record: While being extremely involved, I had to sponsor 50% of my tuition in the last 2 yrs of college. As a result I was working over 30 hours a week in different part-time jobs, which ranged from being a bar-tender at a popular local bar to being a research assistant for a Physics professor.

Targeted schools: Columbia, MIT, Wharton, Carnegie Mellon, Cornell and possibly Harvard, NYU and Duke.

So, my current dilemma is whether I should re-take the GMAT again to try and perk up my score, or should I continue my application for Round 1 (of MIT in November) and Round 2 of Cornell (in November as well)?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Cheers.

I appreciate your candid response. Thanks again.

Hi Linda,

I recently re-took the GMAT and received a score of 720 (96 percentile) Math-49, Verbal-39.

I have streamlined my choice of schools as well to Harvard, Wharton, Columbia, Cornell and NYU. Based on the new score and background info provided earlier, could you please re-assess my chances. Thanks in advance.