Last visit was: 24 Apr 2024, 12:59 It is currently 24 Apr 2024, 12:59

Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
SORT BY:
Date
User avatar
Director
Director
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Status:Can't wait for August!
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 364 [0]
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)
Send PM
avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 23 Dec 2010
Posts: 668
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
User avatar
Director
Director
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Status:Can't wait for August!
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 364 [0]
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)
Send PM
avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 23 Dec 2010
Posts: 668
Own Kudos [?]: 17 [0]
Given Kudos: 0
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
Expert Reply
highwyre237 wrote:
Thank you so much for the response. I have taken the GMAT 3 times already, and would rather not take it a 4th. Although I know I have the ability to score a bit higher on Quant, I think I'm done with that horrible horrible test lol.

If my GMAT stayed the same, only with added leadership roles at work, and through volunteering, do you think I should bother applying to kellogg and booth, or are they a bit out of reach? Should I focus on the 10-15 range schools (duke, darden, ross, stern, cornell), or the 20-25 range (tepper, indiana, wisconsin). Would you see a top 50 as a good safety (BC, BU) or would the 20-25 range be suitable for saftey?

I understand your reticence to retake the GMAT again, but I do still think you should try to open your mind to it. I believe schools in the 20-25 range are where you should be aiming right now - because of the IT analyst role and low Quant score - and that schools 40-50 can serve as your safety range. Some elements of your profile that sound promising - and that I would want to hear about in an application - are co-launching the jewelry/photography business and your active involvement in fundraising and your alumni association. These may serve as a key factor in differentiating you.
avatar
Senior Manager
Senior Manager
Joined: 02 May 2012
Status:Yale! (whipped and bound)
Posts: 403
Own Kudos [?]: 168 [0]
Given Kudos: 78
Location: United States (CA)
Concentration: Nonprofit
GMAT 1: 730 Q48 V42
GPA: 3.41
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
was looking at the schools you're applying to from the 2013 list. I think adding tuck to your list was a good choice. :)
User avatar
Director
Director
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Status:Can't wait for August!
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 364 [0]
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)
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
machichi wrote:
was looking at the schools you're applying to from the 2013 list. I think adding tuck to your list was a good choice. :)


Its crazy how much lists change in 6 months. Now Tuck is by far my number 1 choice. Tepper Darden and Booth have all dropped off my radar. I am not aiming for 20-25 schools.. although, depending on how R1 goes, I may be applying to Indiana and/or Wisconsin.

To add, I had a profile evaluation from 3 other consultants, and this one was by far the most negative (others said 10-15 was my sweet spot)... hoping it isn't true
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 6448
Own Kudos [?]: 844 [0]
Given Kudos: 92
Location: Los Angeles CA
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
Expert Reply
highwyre237 wrote:
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)
Any advice on what else I should do in the next 8 or so months to improve my profile?

Thank you so much for your time, I really appreciate it!


You're most welcome.

I think Kellogg and Chicago are unlikely acceptances. Your chances are much better at the other programs on your list.

Duke (Fuqua) Competitive
NYU (Stern) Stretch
UVA (Darden) Competitive
Michigan (Ross) Competitive
Cornell (Johnson) Competitive
CMU (Tepper) Competitive

Indiana Safety
Wisconsin Safety
BC Safety
BU Safety

I suggest you apply to the six program that are in green font and then choose 1-2 from the last 4 schools.

Best,
Linda
User avatar
Director
Director
Joined: 13 Sep 2011
Status:Can't wait for August!
Posts: 985
Own Kudos [?]: 364 [0]
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)
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
Accepted.com wrote:
You're most welcome.

I think Kellogg and Chicago are unlikely acceptances. Your chances are much better at the other programs on your list.

Duke (Fuqua) Competitive
NYU (Stern) Stretch
UVA (Darden) Competitive
Michigan (Ross) Competitive
Cornell (Johnson) Competitive
CMU (Tepper) Competitive

Indiana Safety
Wisconsin Safety
BC Safety
BU Safety

I suggest you apply to the six program that are in green font and then choose 1-2 from the last 4 schools.

Best,
Linda


Thanks Linda, the original post in this thread was made back in February, since then I have been promoted to a Senior Analyst so my WE looks more like this:

Work History (At Matriculation) 5.75 Years Total

1.5 Years - Senior Analyst IT Security - F100 Retail
2.5 Years - Analyst IT Security - F100 Retail (Same)
0.5 - Marketing Analyst - Internet Startup
1.25 - Marketing Analyst - Global100 International Bank

Career goals:
Short term - Brand Management in CGP or Retail / Plan B - Consulting
Long term - Similar as before, but a bit more focused on developing advancements in the MKT research industry.

and my list of schools have changed slightly. Currently my plans are:

Dartmouth (Tuck) EA - Stretch
Michigan (Ross) R1 - Comp
Cornell (Johnson) R1 - Comp
NYU (Stern) R1 - (I thought comp... but Stretch)

and then, depending on which interviews/acceptances come through from the R1 group, my R2 plans may change

If I am busy interviewing or have been accepted to one of those:
R2
Duke (Fuqua) - Comp
Kellogg - Super Stretch
Columbia or Wharton - Super Stretch

If things aren't going well
R2
Duke (Fuqua) - Comp
Indiana
Wisc or BU or BC


Do you feel Tuck is a bit out of reach? Either way I have to try, if I didn't I'd always wonder.

Thanks again Linda!
MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 20 Apr 2003
Posts: 6448
Own Kudos [?]: 844 [0]
Given Kudos: 92
Location: Los Angeles CA
Send PM
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]
Expert Reply
highwyre237 wrote:
Accepted.com wrote:
You're most welcome.

I think Kellogg and Chicago are unlikely acceptances. Your chances are much better at the other programs on your list.

Duke (Fuqua) Competitive
NYU (Stern) Stretch
UVA (Darden) Competitive
Michigan (Ross) Competitive
Cornell (Johnson) Competitive
CMU (Tepper) Competitive

Indiana Safety
Wisconsin Safety
BC Safety
BU Safety

I suggest you apply to the six program that are in green font and then choose 1-2 from the last 4 schools.

Best,
Linda


Thanks Linda, the original post in this thread was made back in February, since then I have been promoted to Project Manager so my WE looks more like this:

Work History (At Matriculation) 5.75 Years Total

1.5 Years - Project Manager IT Security - F100 Retail
2.5 Years - Analyst IT Security - F100 Retail (Same)
0.5 - Marketing Analyst - Internet Startup
1.25 - Marketing Analyst - Global100 International Bank

Career goals:
Short term - Brand Management in CGP or Retail / Plan B - Consulting
Long term - Similar as before, but a bit more focused on developing advancements in the MKT research industry.

and my list of schools have changed slightly. Currently my plans are:

Dartmouth (Tuck) EA - Stretch
Michigan (Ross) R1 - Comp
Cornell (Johnson) R1 - Comp
NYU (Stern) R1 - (I thought comp... but Stretch)

and then, depending on which interviews/acceptances come through from the R1 group, my R2 plans may change

If I am busy interviewing or have been accepted to one of those:
R2
Duke (Fuqua) - Comp
Kellogg - Super Stretch
Columbia or Wharton - Super Stretch

If things aren't going well
R2
Duke (Fuqua) - Comp
Indiana
Wisc or BU or BC


Do you feel Tuck is a bit out of reach? Either way I have to try, if I didn't I'd always wonder.

Thanks again Linda!

Gee. I messed up in that first reply. I somehow didn't see all the intervening posts. Sorry.

You have chosen your schools well and have an excellent, well-thought out plan. Tuck is a stretch, but you have enough "competitives" in there that it's reasonable for you to try. Go for it!

If you would like help with your MBA essays, please keep Accepted in mind.

Best,
Linda
GMAT Club Bot
Re: Profile Evaluation - Reach, Match and Safety Schools [#permalink]

Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group | Emoji artwork provided by EmojiOne