Mid Tier eval request
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26 Sep 2006, 20:09
Hello,
let me start by saying how great this forum is. Its helped me tremendously thus far in my GMAT prep...
At any rate, I would love to get an honest opinion of my chances at the mid tier / near elite frontier schools... I feel as though my gpa / gmat might hold me back from doing better..
Gmat
620... though i'm taking it again
Education
I graduated with a double major in business administration and computer science from a smaller liberal arts school in the south. Unfortunately, my gpa is a 2.98. Although I managed to get a 3.5 in my senior year. I plan on tackling this issue head on in my applications (didn't take grades seriously..etc. etc.).
Work Experience
I've had 3 different internships throughout college (product management w/ a bank, IT consulting, sales). Consequently, two of my internships led to the two full time jobs I have had post graduation thus far... which are....
I started working for a in-store marketing company as a business development associate / marketing rep. I did this for about 8 months. The company specialized in point of sale displays and advertising. I did well and generated numerous sales leads... but I felt that sales wasn't something I wanted to do right now....
I then took an offer with a large regional bank in the south. It was competitve 3 month management associate program where I was exposed to different aspects of the orginization. I then went directly into a technology project management position where I managed large scale projects for the bank, including the development of a custom call center for our most wealthy customers. I have been in this position for 2 years. We just merged with another bank, so now we are a top 10 bank in the country. Throughout the merger process thus far, I've had an integral role as i'm aligned directly w/ the bank operations executive. I'm also one of two project managers assigned to work on bank divestitures (we have to sell off branches / loans to meet government approval before we can officially merge...very important)...
Another interesting point, I was very shy, maybe a bit timid when i started..i had a tough time taking command and leading a meeting, but I've come a million miles since then. I can even get a reccomendation that will attest to this. (should I?) I feel as though this might be a good place to discuss a challenge I've overcome. Basically, I had a VP tell me that when I was first assigned to work on her projects, she was a little weary, now she has called me the best project manager she's worked with...
Extra curriculur
probably a little weak here post college..... In college, I was part of the SOS support group. We were peer counselors, coordinated orientation, lead and organized discussions on date rape, abuse, etc..
I was also personally selected by the president of the school to serve on the presidents student advisory committee. I was a direct liason between the president and the student body (i believe there were about 10 of us)
since college, I've been involved in the recruitment and various HR aspects of the bank's management program. This also includes representing the operations division when the class rotates through our area...
I've also particpated in a junior achievement program. I tought an 8 part class on economics to students in an underprivileged middle school. It was also a great experiece and I loved teaching...
Goals
as of now, consult...consult...consult.... possibly within the ops area
Target Schools
Right now I'm targeting Maryland(smith), Georgia Tech, and Illionois (urbana)...
Illinois is probably my first choice.. Are these schools reasonable? Should I concentrate on getting my GMAT score up? Thanks!!
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