I took the GMAT in late January, scored a 680, and was split 39Q/42V. I went through an investment bank finance training first year out of PSU, and have worked in corporate treasury for 3 years for a mid-cap multi national manufacturing company in PA since. (Didn't like the banking culture).

I'm likely moving to Chicago at the year, so will really be focusing on Northwestern and University of Chicago.

I'm having a hard time really pulling together my thesis for my application. I doubt that all successful MBA applicants know exactly where they want to be in 10 years, and exactly what they want out of their Business school experience, but it really seems as if that kind of "plan" is what we are being asked to provide in essays, profiles, etc. Meanwhile, my mentors who have MBAs laud the transformational aspect the top programs. My strongest convictions about life and career are that we never know what is coming next, and the uncertainty is where the fun comes from.

Focus: How important do you think it is to be "the man with the plan" during your apps and essays? I'm going to apply no matter what, but can't tell if this trait is a critical flaw that I should try to avoid in my profile, or an aspect to my identity that I should explore in my application.... Quite the conundrum, eh?

Also as a bonus, would you consider my GMAT scores competitive for Northwestern and University of Chicago? as of now, I am planning on retesting, because I know I underperformed to my potential on the quant section.

Thanks for your advice!