InterviewBay2 wrote:
bconlan wrote:
Hi All,
I am close to a complete strikeout for my R1 apps. I've missed so bad that I don't even think I'm going to apply R2 like I had planned because I'm clearly missing something. Do I have blinders on? What am I missing?
My profile:
GMAT: 700 (Q45 V41)
GPA: 3.0 (includes an abysmal 1st semester which features an F in P.E..... don't ask) but it trends upwards. Majored in Poli Sci and have zero math classes. Went to a Big Ten school with a good reputation.
WE: Work on Capitol Hill in DC for a Senator for 3+ years on economic/manufacturing/banking policy. Got recs from the Senator and my direct supervisor.
EC: work with my school's alumni assn in DC scheduling volunteer events.
I'm a writer and policy analyst by trade, so I think my essays were pretty strong. I basically write 'narratives' for a living so I figure that my 'why MBA' essay was good. I can't imagine there were too many other applicants with recs from a Senator. And while my WE is 'non-traditional' I'd expect having knowledge of the fed govt, Congress, regulations, etc would be very useful in b school and beyond.
I'm thinking I need to step up my Quant game to offset my low GPA and marginal Q gmat score. I really can't bring myself to take the GMAT again especially after I got a 700. Also I took it in 2012, I just don't know if I'm up for that whole can of worms again. Would anyone recommend a class to demonstrate my 1) commitment and 2) quant abilities? Is online okay or is in-person at a CC preferable? Should I take Calc or Stats or both? I haven't taken math since HS. I'm not afraid of it, but can I just walk into a Calc class and get an A if I haven't done it in a while?
-Dinged and Confused
HBS: Ding
Darden: Ding
Kellogg: Ding
McDonough: Ding
Anderson: Pending
You have a good profile but a 700 GMAT score and a 3.0 GPA have made things difficult for your selection. Did you get an interview call at any of those schools?
Even with work experience under a Senator, you need to have good leadership roles. Have you made an impact when you worked with the Senator? Were you involved in any key bills? Even your extra-curriclars involve just volunteering. It is easy to volunteer for anyone. You need to take up leadership activities and make a significant contribution. Unfortunately, just volunteering doesn’t help for any top schools.
I don’t think your GMAT is really the problem for McDonough, Darden and Anderson. Get someone from your target school to analyze your complete application.
Good Luck!
https://www.interviewbay.comI'm confused by your answer. I have a good profile, but my 700 GMAT and 3.0 are making my selection hard? So then my profile isn't good?
I believe my 65%ish percentile GMAT quant score + my lack of quant in school + a low GPA has led the adcoms to believe I am not fit for a quant rigorous program like an MBA. That's my analysis, and I have proposed taking calc and stats on UCLA extension to rectify that, but that doesn't seem to be the prevailing wisdom on here so I am a bit concerned that I am completely off base.
As for the rest of my profile, yes I have drafted legislation that has passed into law, written speeches, and had a strong impact and professional progression. As for the leadership, yes it isn't fantastic-- I have no direct reports. However for the EC, I am actually the volunteer chair for my city alumni association, i.e. I coordinate volunteers for events that we are putting on and lead them on those events. I made my essays about my leaderships experiences as well, because I knew they were not reflected strongly in my resume.