profile eval - Western European

Question

Hjort,

I have one question about minorities. I know that you might have an advantage if you are hispanic for instance, but what about Western Europeans? I'm from Sweden myself (male), but currently a permanent resident in the U.S - how does that impact my chances for admission?

My profile otherwise:

GMAT: 660 - retaking next week and will hopefully improve by at least 20-30 points. Aiming for 700+ score (like everyone else)
GPA - hard to convert but I'd say around 3.1-3.2 (Swedish M.S Industrial Engineering and Management, did my Masters thesis at Johns Hopkins on brand management in transitional economies)
Work experience: 3 years by matriculation, not stellar on paper as I will have been at 3 different companies during that time. Also, my current title is far from awe-inspiring although my actual job responsibilities are more leadership oriented than that - how do I address that? I do expect to get officially promoted before matriculation.
Reco's will be good. 
Extra currs: Mentor undergrad marketing students at local college
Youth soccer coach (girls - 6 year olds), former elite soccer player, 

My target schools are Georgetown, UNC, Wake Forest and Maryland. Chances?

Should state that I will be 29 years next year and have a pretty interesting background - Russian mother, Swedish father, have worked and studied in Sweden, U.S, Russia and Australia. Come from an engineering/business background but got especially interested in marketing during my last year in school and have focused on that ever since.

LT goal: Career in brand management

Thanks in advance,

S

rhyme · Answer

I think you can aim higher than those which you list, esp if you bump your GMAT.

dukes · Answer

Yeah, I'd keep GT and UNC and add some more selective ones.

rhyme · Answer

I'd ditch Maryland from that list.

I'd consider adding Kellogg (common brand management and its not on your list?).

Xeo78 · Answer

Thanks for your replies guys,

Sad thing is that I didn't bump my GMAT. In fact I somehow got 640 the second time. I guess I just got spanked by the GMAT, so 660 will have to do for me. I know that all but takes me out of the running for some top unis but so be it. I've spent way too much time on that monster already.

The reason why I didn't include Kellogg or some other top marketing schools is that I am somewhat restricted geographically. My wife is an attorney so I can only really consider locations where she can practice law. We currently live in NC, thus the inclusion of UNC and Wake. We used to live up in the DC area though and she is barred in DC and Maryland, hence the inclusion of Gtown and Maryland.

I'm a little curious though, why do you guys think I can aim that high? I mean it sounds great and all but I'm still worried that my international background does not weigh up for my less than stellar work experience and average GMAT score.

The worst part about the GMAT is that I KNOW I can get over 700. I'm just a bad quant test taker. Always have been, always will be. Don't have a problem with the verbal part though, which is ironic since I'm a foreigner.

rhyme · Answer

Welcome to the GMAT pain club.

First time I took the GMAT I got about even on math and verbal, I forget exact breakdowns but something like 70% on each, and got a 640.

The second time I took the GMAT I got 98% verbal, and whoops, 41% math. Ouch. 640 again.

The third time I took the GMAT I got a 99% verbal, and a 78% math.

Why is your work experience less than stellar? 

I dont think a 660 precludes you from any top schools, it just makes it harder to get in. One option is to take a local course in accounting or statistics and get an A, it'll 'beef up' your app.

Xeo78 · Answer

My work experience isn't stellar because when I came to the U.S I was faced with a dilemma: I was overqualified for entry-level positions and didn't have enough experience for manager-level positions. Plus my education is kind of unusual (mix between engineering and business) so most employers didn't know in which "box" to put me.

So I kind of had to take what I could get to get some real experience. So I haven't really had any REAL leadership roles, except for some project management work in my current position (the one with the less than awe-inspiring title). Should be said that I have always had analytical and demanding roles however and I can also show some leadership experiences through some extra currs..

Oh, and did I say I took the GMAT twice? Make that three times. Results: First time: 660 (Q:67%, V:90% AWA: 5.0)
Second time: 660 (Q: 67%, V: 85%, AWA: 6.0)
Third time: 640 (Q:67%, V: 80%)

So my scores actually went down. Ain't that a *complain*? Pardon my language, I'm just frustrated. At the same time I did get over 700 on GMATprep. I just kind of get paralyzed during the math part at the actual test. Feels like I can only think in one track, if that makes sense. The funny thing is, I'm never nervous though and I actually felt like I did ok this last time, so imagine my shock when that 640 popped up.

dukes · Answer

That makes more sense then. Have you considered Darden and Duke?

Hjort · Answer

Dukes has wisely mentioned Darden and Fuqua. Many commute from DC to Philadelphia so that might open up some options for you as well. 

I have encounrtered very few people who are actually bad test takers- generally their test scores approach their ability once they are comfortable with the test format.

profile eval - Western European

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