Profile Eval: Are my target schools realistic?

Question

Hello Admission Experts!

Could you please evaluate my current profile to see if my target schools are realistic? Also, I would appreciate some advice on how to proceed. I’m struggling with a low GMAT score after 4 takes (current 670 but could possibly hit 700 on 5th take but definitely nothing higher) and also nervous about being an Asian American applicant. What would I need to achieve to get my foot in the door for an interview?

Asian/White Male
American (Midwest)

GMAT: 670 (43 Q, 39 V, 7 IR, 6 AWA)
GPA: 3.9 (Summa Cum Laude)
Major: Finance (1st); Marketing (2nd)
Undergrad: Top Regional Private University (Midwest)

Work Experience: 
 Top tech company early-in-career leadership program (non-technical, marketing & intl focused)
 Fulbright scholarship (teaching university students in Asia)
 6 internships in undergrad (insurance, government, healthcare & consulting)
2 Fortune 500 companies
U.S. Senate
1 intl internship (China)

E.C.:
 Extensive involvement in LGBTQ+ organizations (youth focus)
 Student government leadership in uni (oversaw large budget & ran in prez campaign)
 Heavy service involvement in uni (leadership in alternative breaks)
 Studied abroad in Southern Africa (political science focus)

Honors: 
 Fulbright scholar
 Thesis publication on K-12 teacher tenure in U.S. public schools
 Top 15 student award in uni (2 years in a row)
 Guest speaker at undergrad’s state of university address, intl LGBT conference, etc.
 Pell-grant recipient & paid my own way through uni via merit & need-based scholarships

Recs:
 Confident I can obtain 2 quality recs from supervisors and possibly alums of a Top 10 program

Desire for MBA:
 Short-term: to obtain qualifications and skills needed teach business and/or leadership classes to undergraduate students as an adjunct prof.
 Long-term: desire to run for public office and/or work in public policy/government, focusing on education and intl relations

Target Schools:
 Dream: Yale SOM
 Next Preferences: Haas, Kellogg
 Others: NYU, LSE, Georgetown
***I’m seeking programs that are more international and government/public policy focused. Are there any others you think I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Posted from my mobile device

SiaAdmissions · Answer

Hi  NHUANG ,

Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. You have a really interesting profile with some incredible experiences and achievements. I would love to learn a bit more about your employment history, especially as it relates to better understand your role and years of experience.

I highly recommend you retake the GMAT trying to hit that 700 mark. While you have excellent academics, 60 points below Yale's class average, for example, could be a deterrent and you want to take every opportunity to submit your best application on all fronts.

As to your recommendation letters, what matters is the quality of the letter. The recommender needs to be able to provide ample examples that showcase your character and values. Therefore, the person who can write the strongest recommendation is typically a supervisor. It's a plus if said supervisor happens to be an alumnus of the target school, but it's typically not your recommender's alma mater that will get you in. Choose recommenders that genuinely want to see you succeed and can write the strongest letters.

As to your goals, I recommend you take some time to be a bit more introspective and outline a clearer image of what you require in order to achieve your short and long-term goals. While this is a perfect opportunity to present an ideal scenario for your future career, also think about any hurdles you will need to overcome in order to succeed and prepare to overcome them (and talk about them). The admissions team needs to see that you have an understanding of the road ahead.

As to the schools you've listed, I wonder the reason behind selecting Kellogg and NYU. I am sure you have selected them for a particular reason, but I do not see them having a very strong connection to government/education sectors. The other programs on your list are great; I would also look at adding Tepper to the list as well (but do look into the program further).

I am happy to continue this conversation offline if that would be helpful to you. If interested, please  reach out  to coordinate a call.

Good luck!

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

A few thoughts for you to consider  NHUANG :
 
  The work profile contours are not very clear from what you've shared. How many years? Have you traveled internationally? What impact delivered? That eventually is the center of your application. Also, it's connect with your post-MBA plans seems non-existent; so ponder on what transferable skills you'd be able to showcase.  
  On the point of your post-MBA plans, given your academic aspirations, MBA may itself not be the best route. There are hardly folks who end up going into academia immediately after a top MBA. A PhD is usually a better route for that. Hope you've thought this bit through.  
  The GMAT score would indeed be an impediment and while super frustrating, there could be a huge difference between a 670 and 700.  
  The ECs will be your clear claim to fame and make a case for your post-MBA aspirations indeed. So make sure to leverage them well. Those could also be a way to show the real spike factor and help the adcoms look beyond the GMAT barrier to some extent.

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,

MBAPrepCoach · Answer

NHUANG

You have a really interesting profile and there's a lot to like here. I would say That you focus on dual degree programs that are similar to Wharton Lauder, Which is a joint degree program in international affairs and an MBA. Yale has the MA in Global Studies joint degree and if you dig around there are many others. HBS/Kennedy is the ultimate if you can pull up test scores.

With a 700, look at Duke and Darden MPP/MBA joint degree programs. MPA/MBA at NYU.

The joint degree approach will definitely give you a competitive advantage because you will essentially be applying towards a program that will have a quota.. it will help set you apart as an Asian applicant and you can probably skate by with a lesser GMAT than other Asians, however I definitely would like to see that come up.

Have you been doing all the things? Are you involved with on line or in person study groups, have you hired a tutor? I would do those things and also take a look at what you can score on a mock GRE. I've worked with a lot of people who have put a lot of time sweat and tears into the GMAT for like a year and then take the GRE an get a better score , it might work out better for you.

I love the diversity that you bring as an LGBTQ+ applicant and the work experience you have is obviously very interesting but I would love to know more about your overall narrative-what is your story, what is your passion, and what do they need to know about you?

Right now it sort of feels like we're getting pieces of the information – all great stuff - but I'd like to get more of a qualitative sense. What should we come away thinking about you? In one sentence how could you describe yourself?

They take 30 to 45 minutes to read your entire application and so it's important to really think about the communication objective and how they can view all of these different impressive things as part of a bigger value proposition. Again, love your profile, there is a LOT of potential here.

PersonalMBACoach · Answer

The previous posters have given good advice, so I'm not going to regurgitate it. Another answer here could simply to take the GRE and forget about the GMAT. You've got the type of applicant profile that can get away with not applying with a GMAT score, and as a finance major you do show schools you've got some quant ability. A 43Q is very low, and I do think with some targeted study and tutoring you can get that up to a 45 or 46. It just depends how much time you are willing to put in. You can also delay your applications for a year and really focus on bringing your test scores up. While I still think you've got a shot at some schools with a 670 based on your status as a diversity candidate and strong EC and academic history, a 700+ (or GRE equivalent) will really allow your profile to shine. Feel free to reach out at scott@personalmbacoach.com to discuss the GMAT or anything else application related! Regards,

Profile Eval: Are my target schools realistic?

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