Hello - a review of my profile would be very much appreciated!
Recently was rejected from INSEAD, looking for advice on other schools before reapplying. Should I take more certifications/ improve experience before reapplying? Really want to go to high-caliber program.
1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?
Over 5 years (3.5 post-undergrad exp.), as marketing and communications specialist - change management, communication consulting, proposal and bid management, marketing planning, market research and business planning. Worked at small businesses for 3 years, 2 years in a global HR firm. Currently work at boutique IT firm in Senior Marketing/Proposal Mgmt. role. Salary 70-85 range. Consult on side for business planning for startups and medium business owners for over 2 years. International experience includes working with international IT firm and global HR firm involving cross border projects but working from within Canada.
2) Your GMAT.GMAT: 670: 45 Quant/ 37 Verbal -Second attempt. First attempt was 600 - 37 Quant/35 Verbal. I retook the gmat to improve my quant.
3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation. For any graduate degrees, please provide the same info. If you grades are low, please indicate if there were extenuating circumstances.Canadian "state level" respectable university - U. Ottawa - Honors Bachelor Arts - Strategic Communication, Minor Business Admin GPA 3.4
First semester grades very poor, but final years straight-a's
4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience. Participated in coordiantion of Charity United Way events at work, very into physical training and fitness, personal training. Have traveled to Europe and Central America, throughout US.
5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.Recently completed PMP. French bilingual, intermediate Spanish knowledge. Thinking of Six Sigma, etc.
6) Your target programs. Please note that my experience is with the top MBA programs (FT, PT, EMBA, Sloan Fellows) around the world. If the programs you are targeting are not listed here, I may not respond due to lack of time.IE, IESE, IMD, LBS, American B. Schools
7) When you plan to apply? Please specify round and application cycle, for example R1 2013-14 or R3 2012-13.
Looking to apply R1 for 2016 cycle.
8) Your post-MBA goal.Looking to get into strategic consulting or operations/ program management. Also have start-up experience so can leverage that in any start-up/growth venture.