We will be collecting all our profile evaluations and application review responses posted at GMATClub and other forums under the MyMBAAdmit thread to provide a single resource for our readers.Older applicant for Fall 2011 (next year) with consulting/entrepreneurial ambitions, lower GMAT/GPA but fantastic extracurricular activities. Opportunities to improve profile before the application?Applicant:Planning to apply only to 3 schools next year (2011) - Duke, Georgetown and U of Maryland.
Profile:
Age - 31
GPA - 2.3
GMAT - 600 (plan to retake)
Work Ex - 3 years as an accounting manager in IT company
Tutoring Math and Finance to all ages supported by a tutoring company since 2009.
Background -
Marine for 2yrs, then switched undergraduate schools Korea to Bowling Green State university in Ohio in 2003.
Extracurricular activities - Finance society, Business fraternity, a Taekwondo instructor, manager at a local restaurant (as part time), Public officer of Chinese School, 2003 National Dean's list, President of Korean student association in Bowling Green, plus life and health insurance license in Ohio.
My dream school is Duke and since I live in the DC area, I am also interested in Georgetown and U of MD. How should I improve before I apply for those schools?
My goal after Duke or Georgetown is to work for any consulting company to get some experience, and eventually be an entrepreneur.
My MBA Admit:From an academic perspective, your profile has opportunities for improvement. I would definitely recommend improving the GMAT score. Since you have taken the test once, you are already familiar with the different areas in Math and Verbal. Go over your past test score again - to get the maximum buck for your efforts, specifically focus on the sub-areas you didn't do well in, e.g. Critical Reasoning in Verbal and Data Sufficiency in Math. One of our partners provides excellent affordable courses targeted to your needs. If you like, I can send you the details or you can check out more details on our home page.
Further, go over your undergraduate transcript and figure out where your GPA suffered. Taking remedial courses at a local college or taking on work projects that help you develop those skills will improve your profile.
Professionally, although the manager title helps, I would be very interested in knowing what you did. Did you manage people, take on extra projects, work across functions, get recognized? All of those would help develop a stronger candidacy.
Your extracurricular activities are strong. However, I see that candidates sometimes put in a long list just to show variety without paying attention to impact, order or relevance. Leverage those experiences in your essays and resume to show diversity, both in your experiences and soft skills. To strengthen them even further, use the time till your application to take on responsibilities where you can quantify your impact.
Regarding schools, 5-6 schools is better number than 3 to increase your chances of being accepted. Through a stronger profile across all three areas, you would be competitive not just at your current list of schools, but additional ones in a similar or higher tier as well.
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