Profile Evaluation: Reapply next year?
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26 Feb 2020, 10:06
I have a non-traditional path to an MBA, so I am uncertain how to move forward.
I was enlisted U.S. Army for 6 years with two overseas tours, one in Afghanistan and one in South Korea. I had a significant amount of leadership experience in the army and I feel I have a strong profile in that regard. My trouble comes in the academic aspect.
After my military career I enrolled at my current university. It’s a public school in the 150-200 range of the U.S. News rankings. I am a Hispanic first-generation student who will graduate with a double major in Economics and Chinese Language and Area studies this semester. I currently have a 2.66 GPA that was impacted by early academic struggles. I applied to a few T15 in round 2 with a 610 GMAT, but I’m not too optimistic.
I did a self-initiated interview at one T15, and have yet to receive an interview invite from the other two. I have communicated with them that I will retake the GMAT in early March, but I’m concerned about whether I will see any improvement on my score. I’m taking 18 undergraduate hours, and half of them are in upper level Chinese courses. It’s been difficult balancing my undergrad academics, GMAT study, and working nearly full-time.
I was considering applying to lower ranked schools in round 3, but my initial goal was T15. I think I can put together much stronger applications for next cycle, and I’m willing to wait as opposed to pursing lower ranked schools in round 3. I strongly believe that after I graduate in May, I can commit my summer to scoring a 700+ GMAT. I was making strides over winter break, but once the spring semester started it was difficult to prioritize my GMAT study.
Would it be feasible for me to apply in round 1 next year? If I have to wait for the next cycle, I will turn 32 a few weeks before matriculation in 2021. I know that is on the older side, but would it be acceptable given that I have an enlisted military background?