Profile Evaluation, Male, Peru, 670 GMAT - Requesting Advice

Question

Hello,

I am currently looking for advice on my applications and next steps for the 2019 intake at top b-schools in the US.

I am from Peru, I hold a bachelors degree in Management and International Business, I have a licentiate degree on Management and a licentiate degree on International Business as well. I have a graduate degree on international relations and 5 years of work experience (I am 28 years old, almost 29). Earned my undergrad without major issues (top 10% of the class, GPA 3.7, at one of the top universities in my country).

I worked all my life in business intelligence, and have been working on digital transformacion + innovation during the last couple years at a well known multinational company. I was also a business faculty professor at an undergraduate program in International Business at the same university I went to, and a graduate professor on digital marketing strategies in an important institue in Lima. Being a professor is my passion.

Currently I live in Panama City (Central America), because I was promoted at the beginning of the year as a Head of Commercial Strategy, to lead a team of 7 Senior Business Analysts for the operation of one entire country (El Salvador) based in Panama. I work in a direct sales company called Belcorp (1.5 beauty billion company, similar to Avon, empowering woman around Latin America with business opportunities).

I am very active in my community, as I have been doing volunteer consultancy for entrepreneurs since 2015, improving the quality of their lives through sustainable businesses, and I am a speaker on strategy, innovation and technology for groups of 100+ people. Also have published some professional articles on business.

I think I have a strong profile and I have clear goals and a good story to tell (to work on education mixing it with digital transformation in my country), but my biggest concern is my GMAT score (670, 49Q 32V on the third attemp. My first attempt was 620 and my second was 640). I was aiming for the 700+ in this third attempt, but my job is extremely demanding, so I was not completely focused on the exam - dissappointing!

I was planning to apply to Berkeley Haas, but due to my GMAT score, I consider it a stretch now. I applied to Duke Fuqua in R2, NYU Stern, Cornell Johnson, Virginia Darden and to Texas McCombs in January, in their respective deadlines for R2 or R3 (not the last round).

I do not know if I am going to be visible or not for ad-coms due to my GMAT score, but I wanted advice about my chances for 2019 intake, or similar b-schools (top 30 at least), or the possibility of preparing myself much better for the GMAT and start from now looking forward to the 2020 intake.

I would really love to go to the mentioned schools because of the personality and fit with me of their people, the unparalleled education and because I really want to work on something with bigger impact.

All advice is really appreciated, I want to start getting realistic and measure my possibilities to start planning ahead another strategy if I need to.

Thank you very much!

Admissionado · Answer

Ideally you do want to try to hit 700 on the GMAT to be competitive at these schools. It does sound like you have unique experience & you've got solid extracurriculars as well. If you are not able to 700 mark but could even improve your score to 680 you will still have a shot at these schools but it will be critical to show the business results you've driven in your work experience so far as well as leadership experience both at work & in your extracurriculars. It's good that you are from Peru - that is a unique demographic. There will be more weight on all the other parts of your application if you are below 700 so these schools will be a bit of reach but still worth a shot. I'd also consider schools in the teens & 20's: McCombs is great & I know you already have that one covered. Others to consider are UCLA, UNC, Olin & Georgetown depending on your score. Generally speaking you want to try to at least hit the average GMAT score for a school - otherwise like I said, it will be a bit more of a reach & they will place more weight on other aspects of your application. I think you do have the makings of a strong, unique application though based on what you shared here!

ctinoco · Answer

Hi!

Thank you for your response some months ago!

I want to make an update to my situation, looking for some more advice. Indeed, I applied to all those schools listed (Duke, UVA Darden, Cornell Johnson, Texas McCombs and NYU Stern).

I have been accepted so far to Duke Fuqua, UVA Darden and I am waiting for the response of Cornell Johnson and Texas McCombs (Already interviewed with those). Never heard of NYU Stern.

I wanted to know how to take the best decision to join a school. My top choices due to my goals and the community are Fuqua and Darden, both with no $$$. Is there any source or advice you can help me with in order to make the best decision I can according to my goals and profile?

Thank you very much!
Best,

Carlos

Admissionado · Answer

Hi Carlos, 
Congrats on your offers! That is totally awesome news & I'm so happy for you! You are in a great position in terms of decisions to make. In terms of how to decide, here are some top-line thoughts: Duke is definitely known as the more international school compared to UVA, and that might help you in your goals (i.e. having access to a more international alumni network). UVA is also known for having a very heavy workload, which can make it tougher to do as much outside of the classroom -- and so much of the value of b-school is the chance to participate in clubs and conferences when you're not studying or in class. You not only gain access to lots of great networking through those types of activities but it will also help you form stronger bonds with your classmates, and therefore help you graduate with access to an alumni network who you feel really connected to.

They are both awesome schools though & you really can't go wrong with either one. Both schools are very similar in terms of starting salaries and percent of students employed at graduation. In addition to the points above, I'd consider which one has classes that feel like the most unique fit for your skill gaps and your post-MBA goals and also the employment activity you're seeing for your target industry & companies. In other words, are the companies you want to work for coming on campus & hiring grads?

Finally, I'd consider whether or not you feel a stronger cultural fit with one school vs. the other. So much of the value of b-school are the connections you make, and you will be best positioned to make those connections if you really click with your classmates & with the culture!

Congrats again & yes of luck to you!

ctinoco · Answer

Hi Jon,

Thank you for your kind response!
It's certainly a great position to be, and a tough decision! I feel very lucky, and I am advancing on learning the most I can to take the best decision. As an update to this, I had a great interview with Cornell, and I am hopeful to have great news from there too, although I know it will be difficult to be granted a scholarship.

I agree with you on the advantages that being in b-school will give to me by joining some out-of-clasroom activities. I am a bit more convinced on joining Duke because of the brand strength and the great community, but surely UVA and Cornell are opportunities not to pass by.

Even though I want to stay in the US after graduating, working in tech, I certainly want to explore living in Europe o returning to Latam after some years, and for that, I believe that Duke may help more than the other schools.

I will let you know about my decision, and thank you again for your valuable advice.

Best,

Carlos Augusto Tinoco

Admissionado · Answer

I'm glad to hear the interview at Cornell went well! Of the 3, my recommendation would still be Duke. They are all awesome schools but Duke tends to be consistently ranked a bit higher & have the strongest brand of the 3. You are definitely in a great position! Congrats again & best of luck to you!

Profile Evaluation, Male, Peru, 670 GMAT - Requesting Advice

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