I began studying for the GMATs over a year ago. Long story short, I was diagnosed with cancer over 5 years ago, and kept having recurrence scares this past year which halted my studying. Everything ended up being fine and I'm clean (thank god!) and am officially 5 years cancer free! So I was able to really pick up my books again this February, and after getting scores in the 560-580s on practice tests, I actually hit 640 today! This isn't my 'goal' score, but I am so happy to finally break the 600s and I feel like I'm on my way.
I am targeting 700 eventually, and am planning to take the GMATs my first time this June, and then again in September. I am hoping that will be plenty of time to work my way up. I currently work for a government consulting firm, going on 4 years, am a project manager, run a mentoring program for my firm, and belong to two professional organizations, women in international security and women in technology international. My undergrad is in information systems from carnegie mellon with a minor in technical writing, and I am crossing my fingers for MIT or Harvard (I know, long shot) but would be happy with georgetown, boston college, boston university or babson. I also do community service for my thyroid cancer organization and make a wish foundation. I'm hoping/preparing for a promotion this summer also, and only being 26 it would be rare for my firm - so I hope that would help my case as well.
Does anyone have any advice on my profile? I try to be very active in my professional community and locally, however, you can never do enough it seems
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I have most of the manhatten GMAT books, went through kaplan (which was so/so), went through the PR (also so/so), and am now just working with manhatten and OG11, and doing a practice test every weekend until June to prepare. I also am a notecard fiend - they have been a god-send! I recommend anyone making note cards, it really has been a great study tool for me.
The hardest part of living with cancer is moving on with my life - especially with continuing to establish my life long goals and feeling that I have the chance to still accomplish them. I am finally beginning to get my life back and it feels great. Thanks for listening.