Evaluation Please

Hey Alex, thanks in advance!

My profile:

27 yr old White American Male
GPA- 3.3 from Big Ten School
GMAT - High 500s first time, re-taking in Spring/Summer
Sports Marketing Degree/ Business Cetificate (more than a minor)
Dean's List last 4 semesters (one 4.0)
Partial academic faculty schollie from university

Work experience:
- 4 yrs at a top Wall Street firm in private wealth management, NYC
- Promoted w/in 6 months of tenure to leadership position (12 subordinates)
- Received two client service and sales awards and serve on an additional voluntary leadership team focusing on client retention and service in collaboration with management
-Sports marketing internship post-college before wall street as well as internships in college on Capitol Hill and Mayor's office working on economic data.

Extracurriculars:
-eBay business (began in college) selling vintage t-shirts for high margins in free time
-Various cancer/heart association related walks and runs

Short term goals:
-Leverage sales, marketing, service and entrepreneurial-based wealth management experience along with marketing and business degree into a corporate brand management/marketing role.

Long term goals:
-Entrepreneurial pursuits to open brand management firm in NY or LA area.

Considering USC, UCLA & NYU for Fall 2010. I hope to score 650+ on my next GMAT.

My essays are strong and I feel quite confident in my recommendations and the networking/contacts I’ve made at each school (current students, alumni and admin)

A specific scenario/question I had was in regard to continuing ed. I have a strong interest in taking some classes at NYU in the marketing division. The few (5 to be specific) classes would earn me a Marketing Certificate, with focus on planning, branding and internet strategies. My logic is that I can further aid my career pursuits and entrepreneurial goals while also help distinguish whether or not I want to pursue a role in the marketing field. Additionally, I would create contacts in the field. Classes run from May-July and Id potentially strengthen my transcript without affecting my ability to apply for MBA programs rounds 1 & 2 next fall.

Feedback on my thought process and profile would be fantastic. I look forward to your response.

Thanks.

Your focus should be on the GMAT. Your GPA isn't strong, but it's not weak enough that you need to do additional courses (unless you really had a checkered history -- and even then, no amount of "extra coursework" will substitute for a strong GMAT).

Focus on the GMAT first and foremost. For the schools you mentioned you really should get high 600s to be safe (and especially in light of your GPA).

Thanks Alex. I had a very strong ending to my undergrad degree with 4 of the 5 last semesters on Deans List and the 5th just missing. I do think my quant courses could be stronger, so maybe Ill add a course to my schedule from that. Is Calculus something I should consider? I got an A- in Stats which was my last quant course as an undergrad. Yet, my accounting and other quant courses were mostly Bs.

As for the marketing courses i had hoped to take, Id assume they wouldnt be looked upon poorly if I did choose to take them.

Again, I appreciate the feedback!

Take whatever courses you want that suits your fancy, but don't do it with the idea that you think it will improve your chances for admission (because it won't). It's not a substitute for an uncompetitive GMAT score.

Again, if you're trying to maximize your chances of staying competitive for the schools you mentioned, focus on the GMAT.

Its completely up to you. take something you are interested in and not what you would like to do. It would make things go easier. Good Luck