Profile Evaluation

Question

Could you please evaluate my chance of admission?

Asian Female, 26 (27 at matriculation) 
GMAT: 700 (Q47,V37) 
Work experience: 3 years currently at 2 of the big 4 accounting firms doing IT risk assessment (4 years at matriculation). International experience. 
Extracurricular: mentorship at work; led a firm-wide charity event 1 year ago; Executive at student club in Undergrad. 
Target Schools: Duke, Stern, Yale; Stretch: MIT, CBS (J term), Kellogg.

mbaMissionKate · Answer

Hi there - happy to evaluate your profile but it would help to have a bit more info...

What was your undergrad GPA / major? 
Did you only take GMAT once? 
Any major work accomplishments that might differentiate you?
What are your post-MBA goals? 
Are you a reapplicant to any of those schools? And if so, did you get any interviews? (It looked like you applied to Sloan last year from your profile?)

Thanks!
Kate

yogizhang · Answer

Hi Kate 
Thank you for your response. 
1) Undergrad GPA: 3.5 - Specialist in Accounting, Major in Econ and Minor in Psycholoy 
2) yes only once 
3) work accomplishment - nothing much other than responsible for international coordination; early promotion 
4) Post MBA - aim to work in the strategy focusing on the IT space 
5) reapplicant to Stern, Fuqua, MIT (only got interview from Fuqua and was waitlisted)

Thanks again!!

mbaMissionKate · Answer

Thanks for the additional info!

Your work experience seems really strong -- great to have a Big 4 brand, plus the early promotion and international responsibilities are great. Your GPA is strong too. Your GMAT is solid but it's going to be below average for all the schools you list except Duke. Is it possible to retake? Not sure how long it's been since you've studied or if you were practicing above 700 when you first took it. Your extracurriculars seem a little light too currently, is it possible to lead another event before you apply? Take on another activity outside of work? Or maybe you have interesting hobbies, family background, passions, etc. that could help to show you as a well-rounded person?

More importantly, if you're reapplying you need to be able to show improvement in your application -- the promotion (if it's recent) will definitely help but improving your GMAT and extracurriculars also seem like easy targets. Either that, or I'd diversify your list of schools to some that are more similar to Fuqua. Schools like Ross, Texas, Tepper, and Cornell (which has a 1-year tech focused MBA) come to mind given your career interests. Also keep in mind that the J-Term program at Columbia is primarily targeted to students who are not changing careers so you'll need to be able to show you can achieve your post-MBA goal without an internship. I also encourage you to apply there early since they use rolling admissions!

Good luck, and keep us posted if we can help with anything else!
Kate

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