Titan09 wrote:
Please evaluate my profile and provide honest feedback. I have some time before I plan to apply to business school so I would like to use it to improve the weak areas of my application.
Demographic: 24 (26 at matriculation) white male.
Academic: 3.6 GPA, accounting major, small but very competitive liberal arts university
690 GMAT
Work Experience: 1 year in public accounting as an entry level associate (tax)
2 (3 at application time) years as a financial analyst at a private equity firm
Professional: Licensed Certified Public Accountant
Active Member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and State CPA society
Currently getting more involved in leadership roles in both soceties
Extracurricular (college): Member of accounting and investing societies
4 year member of varsity football team
Academic All-District football selection
Volunteer : Active member of Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters
Volunteer with Ladder Up organization (tax preparation assistance for low income individuals)
Youth football coach
I will be financing school by myself so I am looking to apply to part time programs so I can continue to work. I live in the Chicagoland area and would like to remain here to pursue an MBA. With that said my (top) schools are limited. I would like to apply to Chicago, Kellogg, and Notre Dame (Mendoza) since they are the three best schools in my geographic area. I know my GMAT can come up a few points, but I think on my absolute best day under the best conditions I could only bring it up to a 710-720. Should I focus my efforts on doing this or trying to strengthen other areas of my application?
Hello
GMAT wise you are in a good position. Generally when applying to top schools a score above 700 is desirable. However it is not just the academics but beyond the academics that will help you in determining your candidature. Often candidate focus heavily on gat and sideline other important aspects of the applications. It’s good that you have scored well and now should focus on other aspects of the application to ensure your candidature in the desired institutes.
Generally most of the applicants have a good 4-5 years of work experience. Although it is not just the work experience that counts but also what you did there like-what were your achievements, what initiative you took, what changes you drove in your workplace etc. So if you can show that in 3 years you have demonstrated the skills business schools are looking for you could put in a strong set of essays.
Hence the quality of your work, your academics and beyond academics will play an important role in determining your candidature.
Make sure you follow the ‘show rather than tell’ principle so that the admissions committee could really understand your strengths and differentiating factors.”
Also start thinking what makes you unique and what’s that ‘hook’ that will be key to your application.