Piepie15 wrote:
27 year old female, US citizen, white, married, no children
Graduate of [b]top 3 US university
3.5 cumulative GPA, 3.78 GPA within double major subjects (English and History of Art) (progressive, consistent improvement in GPA from freshman year to senior year; one D in environmental econ which was the result of postponing the final exam to after the summer because of family trouble that then wasn't resolved when I had to take the exam in the fall...that's probably worthy of an explanation in an extra essay section, yes?)
GRE: 168V(98%), 168Q (95%), 6 AW (99%)
GMAT (didn't really study and am wondering if I should retake?): 730: 45V(99%), 46Q(66%), 6IR(67%), 6AW(92%). I think I just need to work on timing for IR (guessed totally on last two prompts) and actually study for math, as I realised I forgot a lot of stupid stuff that can easily be memorised like exponent rules.
Most of the schools I'm looking at accept GRE so I should probably send that score for now, right? However, LBS and Northwestern JD/MBA both require GMAT....how do you reckon they will view my score? Are they going to hate those IR and Quant sections? [/b]
I am admissions consultant for undergrad in the US, UK, Canada, and HK; I also provide tuition in English literature and test prep for SAT/SSAT/ACT/GRE/SATII Lit. I worked for a test prep company in an asia country for 2 years after graduating. Then I started my own company in the same country and have been doing that very successfully for the last two years. I have the UCLA Certificate in College Counselling (started when I worked for the other company and completed after starting my own).
I played two varsity sports in college (dropped one after a year due to an injury, did the other one all but senior year (needed to focus on my two theses)). I was a recruit but didn't use recruiting to get in, as I only applied regular decision. I still play and have been the captain of a women's club for 4 years where I live. I received a prestigious department award for one of my theses and got A marks on both.
I have travelled extensively (been to ~40 countries). Lived and studied abroad in London, internship in Spain, working and living abroad now for 4 years in Asia.
I am not 100% certain what I want to do with the MBA but most likely either 1.) continue/expand my current business (so focus on entrepreneurship) or 2.) go into some other higher education role in which business acumen would be a plus. There are 3rd, 4th, and 5th options but they are not really supported by my trajectory after college: 3.) pursue some role in art business, as I miss working with art, 4.) pursue something I discover I have an interest in once at b-school, or 5.) pursue a JD/MBA, as even in my short two years at another company I saw how valuable the law skill set could be (in addition to the MBA). I would need to take the LSAT though if I want to go somewhere other than Northwestern.
Anyway, I am aware of all the costs involved in all of those above options and to be honest cost isn't really an issue for me. I would mostly value people's opinions on the GMAT issue and my overall profile.
Hey there fellow colleague,
I like your profile a lot! I mean you have amazingly high scores on BOTH of the college admissions tests. (Your GRE is more impressive, so I'd go with that as the official score, although it would cause no shame for you to report the GMAT as well) It's like having a Mercedes and a BMW! (I guess you gotta keep one in the garage). With very good grades from a Top3 school, amazing scores, good experience abroad and a successful company in hand, I think you are a good candidate for Top 10 programs. No need for you to search further.
Your goals make perfect sense (I like goal number 1, if your current business is significant enough), and what else can I say? Write some great applications and get some great recs and you should have a stellar application,
Best,
JF