Hi o.o -
Here are a few of my thoughts:
- As you identified, your GMAT score will be a bit of a challenge for Stern. Their mid 80% range is 660-760, so unless you can reach that range, your chances will be decreased pretty dramatically. I don't know much about Baruch, but from their website they give the "GMAT score below which few students are admitted" as 600 for their Honors MBA program, and mid 500s for other full-time MBA programs. My advice if you want NYU is to focus on bringing your GMAT score into the mid to high 600s. The key to GMAT is practice - do as many practice problems as you can get your hands on, from the Official Guide and other review books (Princeton Review,
Manhattan GMAT, etc.), then look at which topic areas you're having trouble with and review those concepts again.
- Work experience & extracurriculars: You're in a good position here since you have a bit of time before you apply. The promotion, if it happens, will look good to adcom since they like to see progression and success in your career. Also, I'd look for any opportunity, either at work or in extracurriculars, to take on leadership-type roles. Besides seeing that you are personally good at what you do, the adcom will want to see that you have the ability to influence and lead others. This doesn't need to be a formal leadership title either, just some instances where you've taken initiative, where you've convinced others that your idea is a good idea, where people come to you for advice and direction. Be able to tell a good story about what was accomplished - even better if there is a tangible, measurable benefit.
- For your goals, be specific on what you want to accomplish. What specifically do you want to achieve with your current business? Higher results are good, but what specifically does this mean? Do you want to help your company become the leading consumer goods company in the DR? In the region? Expand access into underserved markets? How will you do this? Also, you should show you've thought out the "why" as well as the "what". Why do you want to stay with your current employer? Why are you interested in your current industry? Why finance? Again, with 2 years until you apply, you've got plenty of time to really refine how you explain your goals so you're in a good position.
- I think having a sponsorship will be a positive in your favor. One of the many things adcoms think about is whether the applicants will be able to get a job at the end of the program. Having company sponsorship and the ability to return to that employer can greatly lessen any concerns here.
One last piece of advice: consider applying to more than just 2 schools, regardless of your ultimate GMAT score. MBA admissions is never a sure thing, no matter what your stats are, so if you're set on beginning your masters in 2011, consider expanding your school list to 4-6, with a mix of reach schools, target schools and safety schools.