kettlered wrote:
Thank you for taking the time to evaluate my profile. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Nationality: White, American
GMAT: 590 Q34 V38, 6.0 AWA, 4 IR, may take again but it would put me in round 3 for most schools (also unsure if I can raise score)
GPA: 3.17 Psychology from state school (upward trend, last 2 years approximately 3.7)
~3.1 various accounting and economics classes taken after graduating
3.5 graduate certificate human resources management, state school
Extras: Basic - misc volunteer work in and after college - worked habitat for humanity projects, food bank, fundraising, student research interest group, volunteering with troubled kids and families who needed help with disabilities (I worked full-time all through college so I had minimal time to do extras)
Work experience: 1 year working with disabled and troubled children, 5 years in state government taxation and accounting, recently hired as a human resources administrator and will have just under 1 year at time of matriculation
Area of interest: Consulting/Human Resources (specifically in green/sustainable business and technology)
Target schools:
1) Kenan-Flagler (sustainable business)
2) Kelley (design your own program)
3) Fuqua (stretch school, probably won't apply based on GMAT score)
4) Goizueta (organizational management)
5) Broad (human resources management)
I am also considering Kenan and Kelley's on-line MBA programs.
Background: I was abandoned when I was 16 and had to put off going to college in order to support myself. I then had to work full-time through college in order to provide for myself. I would like to include this in my essays because I think it demonstrates my determination but not sure if it's appropriate.
I don't like to be discouraging but your quant score is a
major red flag and obstacle to your acceptance at any of these programs. I strongly urge you to take classes to improve your quant skills and then retake the GMAT. Or consider programs that don't require the GMAT. Some EMBA programs fit this category.
Regarding your background, it provides context for your undergrad grades and is perfectly appropriate to include.
Best,
Linda