Director
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Status:Can't wait for August!
Posts: 985
Given Kudos: 109
Location: United States (MA)
Concentration: Marketing, Strategy
GMAT 1: 660 Q44 V37
GMAT 2: 680 Q45 V38
GMAT 3: 710 Q45 V42
GPA: 3.32
WE:Information Technology (Retail)
Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools
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21 Feb 2012, 12:38
Hello, I'm planning on applying for fall of 2013, and am trying to figure out what I should consider a reach, a match, and a safety school. My plan is 1 or 2 reaches and 2-3 matches in EA/R1 and then a few safety schools in R2 if those dont work out.
Work History (At Matriculation)
4.0 years - Analyst IT Security - at a fortune 100 discount retailer. Lots of project management experience, but no management of people. Should be promoted to either Senior Analyst or Project Manager by the time I apply.
0.5 years - Marketing Analyst - Small internet startup
1.25 years - Marketing Analyst - Large international Bank
At each of my positions, although I have not had title changes, the role I was hired on for grew substantially. I have great stories from my current role. I was hired on to aid in a reporting process, and ended up revolutionizing the way we collect, report on, and manage data. Although I do not have anyone under me, I have trained many people on new tools and processes I've developed.
Gmat - 710 45q 42v
College - Graduated 2007 GPA 3.32 Major Marketing/Finance, In major GPA 3.78 - Small school in boston, ranked around 60 regionally. Has a respected business school for the area, but not well known outside of it.
Work/Extra-curricular in College
Worked full time while in school
2 years as a math tutor / Office assistant
2 years e-marketing manager/Assistant Innkeeper at an Inn (help raise sales substantially while there)
Was also a waiter throughout college... not sure if that should be added
Extra
4 years - active member in marketing and finance clubs,
2 years as a college radio DJ
Post College
Helped my fiancee launch a jewelry/photography business, this has taken up a good portion of my time... Not sure if I should include this in anywhere
Have done many events through the years with a local cancer institute (walks/fund-raisers)
Active in my alumni association
Successful Poker/Casino Craps player...
Nothing too impressive I know... I have time to do a bit more and will.
US White Male, will be 27 (almost 28) at matriculation
Post MBA Goal - As you can see in my work history, I started out trying to pursue a career within the quantitative side of marketing. Unfortunately, along the way I pigeonholed myself into a more analytical career within a function that I find a bit dry. I have a strong background in programming, database creation, data analysis, and project management. Although my quant abilities are strong, I have a passion for consumer behavior. My dream would be to work either in Market Research, or Brand Management in the northeast. I know I can write compelling essays about my vision on the uses of the growing amount of data within the consumer industry.
post mba career plan - Work for a CPG or High Tech as a brand manager, or for a retailer or vendor in marketing research. Marketing consulting is also on the table
Future Goal - Start my own database marketing research company, or move up the ladder.
My career will be a bit more focused in my applications, still ironing out the details. All I know is my passion is for consumer behavior and data analysis. I'll be happy as long as I can build a career around this.
Targets -
This list will shrink once I figure out where I rank
Kellogg
Booth
Duke (Fuqua)
NYU (Stern)
UVA (Darden)
Michigan (Ross)
Cornell (Johnson)
CMU (Tepper)
Indiana
Wisconsin
BC
BU
(although I like the curriculum at both Wisconsin and Indiana, I may not consider applying due to fear of not being able to get back to the east coast post mba)
Which do you feel are impossible, stretches, a good match, and safe?
Should I forget about Booth and Kellogg? (I'm thinking I needed to do a bit better on the gmat to have a shot)
Although I know what I'm passionate about, and I know I need an MBA to get where I want in my career (or atleast have an easier road there) I'm just having a tough time figuring out how strong my profile is.
Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it!