Hello, Thsi is my first post.

I recently arrived here after I did something very stupid. I took the GMAT without studying at all and over a year after I graduated and got a 490. I feel horrible but Im studying and compelled to take it again.. Im sure I can do better, in fact.. on my test I was doing perfectly fine until I noticed (on the Quant) section that I had 7 minutes left and 7 questions to go.. the rest wasnt a pretty picture.

I graduated with a Bachelors of Science last year with a major in Finance. My GPA was only 2.8; however my work experience is insane (or I think it is.. compared to people I know.. for my age).

Im originally from Venezuela and right now I am 22 years old. When I was in school I got an internship with Merrill Lynch which I think was something good to keep on my resume. I didnt want to work for them afterwards (I didnt like the job too much) so after 7 months of internship I left and declined the job offer.

I also ran a small magazine local in Miami. Me and my cousin found someone to give us the funds to run the magazine and we ran operations for about a year. We produced the magazine locally, printed it in Colombia and shipped it to Miami. We hosted concerts, fashion shows and different events. We were barely braking even, but I still think it was great work experience.. the owner decided to close it down after a year because he had personal problems.

By this time I was 20 years old. I got in touch with the person who printed for us in Colombia (big big company) and I managed to get them a couple clients in Florida and I got a decent commission for doing so.

I graduated right after I turned 21 and within a month had a decent job with U-P-S (Shipping company) in the Finance Department. I also have my own little business where I sell medical equipment in Venezuela and trade bonds to people who live there.

I speak Enligh, Spanish and Portuguese.

Even if I can improve on my GMAT (Which I am sure I can).. how would I present this on a school application so I can get an interview. I think my experience has to count for something, but how do I present this? Do I send a package with my application, along the lines of a small letter and my resume? (and maybe some other stuff). I know my academical resume is not very impressive but I dont know many 22 year olds who have had the same exposure I have.

Any advice would be very very welcome.

Your history is very impressive and unique, nevertheless, I think you're still young enough to prepare yourself better and not rush things up.

Even with your impressive work ex, some schools may think as an issue your low GPA that combined with a low GMAT will not sound good. I would suggest your preparing better for GMAT if you want a TOP10 school. In my opinion you need at least 650 in your GMAT, and if you want H/S/W 700...

You're young enough to apply next year with a better GMAT, great essays as you will have plenty of time to prepare for them and even more work ex.

But remember, just my opinion

One thing you may want to think about is that your work experience (even though it may be on the higher side for 22 year olds) will be compared against all applicants and not necessarily other 22 year olds. You may be classified as an early career applicant but the very few who actually get in have more quantifiable success stories or great pedigree.