Director
Joined: 02 Nov 2009
Affiliations: Columbia, Wharton, LBS
Posts: 591
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Entrepreneurship
Schools:Harvard, Stanford, LBS, Columbia, Wharton, HEC Paris
Re: Profile Evaluation Request
[#permalink]
30 May 2013, 15:31
Thanks for the posting.
To start, I actually do not think that your candidacy is all that unconventional. We have worked with many candidates who come from the wine + spirits industry. To be honest, admissions most probably considers your work to fall under a somewhat unconventional consumer products sector. Next, good job on your GMAT - and while this will compensate somewhat for your GPA, it will not totally compensate for the 3.2 (which is not awful, just not stellar). Given that you come from a competitive demographic, your margin of error has been used up (even though you did well in your post-bacc classes). This means that your entire application has to be top notch with compelling essays and recommendations, impressive interview and stellar performances on all other aspects to your application.
As for which schools make the most sense, I agree with most of the schools on your list. Wharton and Booth are the most forgiving top schools when it comes to grades - and they are even more forgiving when you try to turn a less than stellar undergraduate record around with post-bacc classes. Next, Kellogg is a logical given the consumer products aspect of your work experience. As for other programs you should consider, I would recommend Johnson, Darden, Fuqua and Anderson. One school that I also think you should consider given your career goal is Stern. Lastly, I recommend that you apply to six schools.
Good luck and make sure that you get as many applications in as possible R1.
Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review
Call for a free candidacy assessment.