Dear All,
I have been using GMAT Club for a several months for GMAT Prep and admission process advice. I found a tremendous amount of advice you guys have offered to clubbers and was impressed by your helpfulness. I know you all must be very busy, but if possible, please help me evaluate my profile when you have time.
I am looking to apply to Columbia Fall 2009 FT-MBA Early Decision. I know the process already started and I would like to submit my application by end of August. Here is my profile:
ProfileAge - 24
Ethnicity - Asian
Languages - Cantonese, Mandarin, English, Japanese
GMAT1st - 640 (Q40, V38)
2nd - 640 (Q47, V31)
3rd - 680 (Q47, V35)
SAT1240
UndergraduateColumbia University
Graduated - May 2006
Major - Computer Engineering
Cumulative GPA - 3.437
Major GPA - 3.6
GPA by semesters - varied from 3.1 ~ 3.7
WorkField - electronic trading developer in a financial firm's equities program trading department
Experience - 2 years
I have demonstrated strong leadership, initiative, creativity, and personality in these two years. As an analyst I have not only contributed major efforts in building each of the program trading technology's applications - trading, booking, risk, reporting - but also earned major trust & recognition in my knowledge and ability to learn fast from both my team and business partners. I have been nominated for promotion within less than two years since I joined the workforce. I asked my two managers, a Principal and a VP, whom I work very closely with, to write my recommendations. Their writing will best represent my abilities and impact to the team.
ExtracurricularCollege
- webmaster of an Asian society
- participated in event planning in major cultural shows
Post-College
- media & distribution lead for all events in an Asian network
- lead event planner for lunar new year celebration
- lead event planner for relay for life cancer fund raiser
- catering coordinator for other Asian network events
Why Columbia MBAI want to change my career to a more business/finance oriented role and eventually start my own business in Asia. Columbia is my first choice because - it has a well-rounded education, has programs that instill values/creativity/personality in students, strongly promotes entrepreneurship mindset, has an international awareness culture & diverse alumni pool - particularly in Asia. I don't have very good grades nor very good scores on paper, but I am very strong in practice. For a school like Columbia that offers practical/real-life scenarios in courses, I believe I can find myself a suitable yet challenging arena. I am currently doing more research on the school, and hopefully I can chat directly with a student.
Some Questions I HaveGiven that my 3rd time is 680 and below Columbia's average, do you think I should take it again? I have been struggling with this question for weeks, but I have decided that I should move on with this score since I want to perfect other aspects of my application. As said in my most recent posting (FYI -
8-t66725), I am a poor standard test taker, but it doesn't reflect my ability to handle rigorous school work.
- If I do not re-take the GMAT, should I address my score in the optional essay section of the application?
- Is it still worthwhile to apply for Columbia ED in late September? (Columbia's ED deadline is early October)
If possible, please let me know what you guys think.
Thanks much in advance!
tfa