Applying Fall 2011 for 2012 matriculation
Top schools I would like to attend:
HBS, Fuqua, MIT, USC, UCI Merage, UCLA, Georgetown
Planning to apply to lower tier schools as safeties (Pepperdine)
Age: 26 at matriculation
Ethnicity: Multiethnic (1/4 Japanese)
Undergrad: 3.39 GPA at Wheaton College (IL), major in Poli Sci, minor in Biblical Studies
GMAT: N/A (Test appt in July)
UG Extracurriculars: Army ROTC, member of student government class council junior year, published (although not on staff) in student newspaper, member of men's club lacrosse team, studied abroad in the Middle East
Work Experience: internship at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University as an UG, 3 years (at this time) as an active duty Army Officer in a combat arms position. Served in an airborne reconnaissance unit as a scout platoon leader and later as an executive officer. Somewhat typical junior military officer career thus far, although my unit has recently some revolutionary training that has not been done in the military since 9/11 (possible essay topic).
Awards: Distinguished Military Graduate of Army ROTC (top 20% of all cadets nationwide), selected as the #1 overall cadet while in ROTC to represent my school at the George C. Marshall conference for future Army leaders in 2008, rated as among the best of my peers within my unit, received an Iron Man award (most physically fit)
Currently my biggest hole is the obvious lack of a GMAT score. I scored a 530 (33Q, 30V) on my first practice test, which I took with zero prep and not having done a lick of math or verbal since college 3 years ago. Starting a Princeton Review class and personal study program with all 8
MGMAT books. I am hoping for a 700. I guess my biggest question is how high a GMAT score I need to be competitive at the schools I've listed, and given the info I've already provided. Thanks for any feedback or opinions you can give me.