thunderdogg wrote:
Hi,
So here are my stats: 690 GMAT (Q43 V41 AWA 6).
Graduated in Dec 2002 (took 4.5 years) with a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech (ranked 6th nationally for undergrad industrial engineering by usnews) and a minor in business.
Overall GPA: 2.9 (i realize this is low) , however my GPA for my last 6 semesters (3 years) was a 3.31.
My in major GPA was approx a 3.3
My in business minor GPA was approx a 3.5
I got off to a rough start, but turned it on later, and hope to be able to address this in the optional essay sections most applications have.
Since graduation i've been working for the US dept of defense as a Nuclear Engineer and project manager. I am involved in major repair work for nuclear powered naval subs and surface ships (aka aircraft carriers).
Showing "promotions" is somewhat hard when you work for the govt because at my job you just increase in your GS scale, so i'm not sure how i could discuss that. I have had a lot of increasing responsibilities over the last 4.5 years i've worked there, i guess that's the best way to show "promotions". I've been given a few "high profile" jobs and am allowed to run my own show (as much as that is possible in the US Govt) when i'm on the deckplates/piers. I'm also one of only 3 green belt certified engineers (not karate, but lean 6 sigma green belt) and have been involved in various process improvement initiatives as well as my other engineering work. All of these projects have lead to large savings in either time/money or both.
I also started a small real estate investment and property management company (i guess i was just lucky, graduated from college at the right time to start buying properties) and currently own and manage 4 condos, 1 townhome, and 1 duplex in my area. I do all of the managment of these properties including finding tenants, maintaining the properties, etc... (i don't use a property management company). All of my properties rent for positive cash flow. Unfortunately running this real estate venture takes up a lot of my free time and i don't have a whole lot of other extra-c's.
With regards to my own interests, I am in a small local band and play a few small shows every month and am an extremely amateur vintner (but i'm having a lot of fun with that).
I'm interested in both real estate and finance as my career in the future.
I'm 27 and married.
My target schools are:
UVa, Georgetown, UNC chapel hill, William and Mary, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie Mellon.
I know CMU is a bit of a reach, my father is an alumni (not for his MBA though, just his undergrad degree) so i'm hoping for some legacy points?
What do you think of my chances at these schools, or any others you think i would be better suited for?
thunderdogg,
I like your profile--impressive and definitely distinctive if not of course without flaws. I think the military + entrepreneurship + leadership themes make a nice combination. I also think you've been shrewd in your choice of schools: a mix of good and decent schools where you'll be competitive. I think you can get into all these schools, and don't consider CMU a big stretch by any means. Your GMAT would be the place to compensate for your GPA issues, but it's just a good score, not a great one. However that should be enough--given your other strengths--to get into all or at least most of these schools. Hammer away on the leadership in your essays, make sure your reco letters are enthusiastic, not phoned in, and give them really savvy, due-diligenced post-MBA goals.
Good luck,
close
11 Dec 2007, 16:53
