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ZuluMong
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Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 24 Apr 2012, 11:02
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Hello,

I'm looking for some feedback on current list of schools and possible ways to improve my chances.

Profile -

• Age: 25 years old, will be 26 by matriculation (applying in the fall of 2012)
• Ethnicity: Chinese - Born in the U.S
• Work Experience: Will have approximately 46 months of work experience by matriculation
• Field/Industry: Non-profit/Community and economic development
• Role: Finance - Underwriting small business loans (analyzing financials, projections, credit, etc.)
• Other - Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (National Development Council)
• GPA/School: 3.33 at a University of California school (Top 40)
• GMAT: 660, Q46 V35 (Retaking in May)
• Extras: President of a sports club (undergrad), director of a large regional tournament for said sport (undergrad), certified tax prep for low income households through local non profit (post undergrad)
• Post MBA Goals - Start up a Community Development Finance Institution in an under-served market.

Short-list of schools -

• USC
• Emory
• Indiana University
• University of Washington
• UC San Diego

Based on my own assessment the list above ranges from stretch to competitive, but I would appreciate feedback or suggestions for other schools.

I also feel that my GMAT is holding me back, am I wrong about this? Technically a 660 is "in range," but what does "in range" really mean when it boils down to a good enough GMAT?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

William
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novanative
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Status:schools I listed were for the evening programs, not FT
Location: United States (VA)
Schools: McDonough '14 (WL) Smith (A)
GMAT 1: 640 Q43 V34
GMAT 2: 660 Q43 V38
GPA: 3.1
WE:Research (Other)
Schools: McDonough '14 (WL) Smith (A)
GMAT 2: 660 Q43 V38
Posts: 378
Kudos: 55
Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 24 Apr 2012, 13:42
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You vs. the numbers
USC
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... s/usc.html
the 10-50-90th percentile for incoming: 630-690-740
US News had the avg GPA at 3.3
I'd say USC is a bit of a reach (not a huge reach, but still a reach) because your GMAT is likely around the 25th percentile, and possibly lower than that.

Emory
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... emory.html
At Emory, your GMAT is between the 25th and the median of apps in the last incoming pool (2011), and the incoming class.
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for apps: 550-620-680-710-730
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for incoming: 610-640-690-710-730
US News has the AVERAGE GPA at 3.3, and you're average there. You have a shot here if everything else played your way, but also a good shot that you won't as well.

IU
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... diana.html
At Indiana, your GMAT is above the median of apps in the last incoming pool (2011), but below the median of the incoming class.
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for apps: 480-580-640-690-710
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for incoming: 620-650-680-710-730
US News has the AVERAGE GPA at 3.32, and you're average. I'd say you have a good shot to get in as is, but again, just as good of a shot at not getting in either.

University of Washington
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... ngton.html
At Indiana, your GMAT is above the median of apps in the last incoming pool (2011), but below the median of the incoming class.
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for apps: 550-620-640-680-710
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for incoming: 590-630-680-710-730
US News has the AVERAGE GPA at 3.4, and you're a little below average. You may be a bit shaky here with your current numbers.

UCSD
https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... diego.html
At UCSD, your GMAT is below the median of apps in the last incoming pool (2011), but above the median of the incoming class.
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for apps: 600-650-690-720-740 (some rounding)
the 10-25-50-75-90th percentile for incoming: 510-590-650-690-710
US News didn't show a GPA, You have a shot here because it looks like the school attracts great applicants, but most of those applicants turn down those offers when admitted.

I say that you with 30 or even 20 points on the GMAT, you could bump you up to 25% within the applicant pool. You do have the community service experience, etc. which is attractive for full time applicants. But as it is, you are a slight reach for most of the programs you listed because your GPA is right at average, but the GMAT is between the 25th and 50th percentiles and that's where that 20-30 point increase can really help you.
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whitie8lax
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Concentration: Strategy, Finance
Schools: Duke '15 (I) Darden '15 (S)
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V36
WE:General Management (Retail Banking)
Schools: Duke '15 (I) Darden '15 (S)
GMAT 1: 700 Q49 V36
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Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 24 Apr 2012, 17:22
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If you can bump up your GMAT to 700+ you could have a good shot at Yale with a well written application...if you not anti east coast. Could be a good fit with your non-profit goals.
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OasisGC
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Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 25 Apr 2012, 13:21
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ZuluMong
Hello,

I'm looking for some feedback on current list of schools and possible ways to improve my chances.

Profile -

• Age: 25 years old, will be 26 by matriculation (applying in the fall of 2012)
• Ethnicity: Chinese - Born in the U.S
• Work Experience: Will have approximately 46 months of work experience by matriculation
• Field/Industry: Non-profit/Community and economic development
• Role: Finance - Underwriting small business loans (analyzing financials, projections, credit, etc.)
• Other - Certified Economic Development Finance Professional (National Development Council)
• GPA/School: 3.33 at a University of California school (Top 40)
• GMAT: 660, Q46 V35 (Retaking in May)
• Extras: President of a sports club (undergrad), director of a large regional tournament for said sport (undergrad), certified tax prep for low income households through local non profit (post undergrad)
• Post MBA Goals - Start up a Community Development Finance Institution in an under-served market.

Short-list of schools -

• USC
• Emory
• Indiana University
• University of Washington
• UC San Diego

Based on my own assessment the list above ranges from stretch to competitive, but I would appreciate feedback or suggestions for other schools.

I also feel that my GMAT is holding me back, am I wrong about this? Technically a 660 is "in range," but what does "in range" really mean when it boils down to a good enough GMAT?

Thanks in advance for your replies.

William
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Hello,

I would suggest you to re-take for the schools mentioned by you given the time available with you, because you would wish to put the BEST effort for your application.

It is good to be IN RANGE, but believe me it is always better to be on higher side of the median/mean GMAT, your rest of the profile sounds good, and i am sure with a few points more you would have great chance to make to any of the mentioned schools.

looking at your profile, i would also suggest you to not only get engaged with associations etc but also exhibit some concrete leadership with initiatives, these experiences will help you prove your leadership qualities.

Good Luck
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ZuluMong
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Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 26 Apr 2012, 14:29
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Thanks for the responses everybody. Yes I definitely plan on trying for a better GMAT, practice scores have been in the 690 - 710 range but I can't seem to knock out the verbal section on the real test as I do on the practices. With my current numbers I also thought I would be a coin-toss based on business week data. Yale at this point is a super stretch, if I score even a 680 next time I'll consider applying .

Quick (perhaps silly) question...are US born Chinese males considered an over represented group in applicants?

Any other feedback and school recommendations is appreciated.

-William
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novanative
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Joined: 16 Aug 2011
Last visit: 14 Apr 2013
Posts: 378
Own Kudos:
55
Given Kudos: 50
Status:schools I listed were for the evening programs, not FT
Location: United States (VA)
Schools: McDonough '14 (WL) Smith (A)
GMAT 1: 640 Q43 V34
GMAT 2: 660 Q43 V38
GPA: 3.1
WE:Research (Other)
Schools: McDonough '14 (WL) Smith (A)
GMAT 2: 660 Q43 V38
Posts: 378
Kudos: 55
Profile Evaluation Request | 660 GMAT, Non-profit Background 26 Apr 2012, 17:50
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ZuluMong
Thanks for the responses everybody. Yes I definitely plan on trying for a better GMAT, practice scores have been in the 690 - 710 range but I can't seem to knock out the verbal section on the real test as I do on the practices. With my current numbers I also thought I would be a coin-toss based on business week data. Yale at this point is a super stretch, if I score even a 680 next time I'll consider applying .

Quick (perhaps silly) question...are US born Chinese males considered an over represented group in applicants?

Any other feedback and school recommendations is appreciated.

-William
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I don't think Chinese Americans will be viewed with the same lens as Chinese people. But that being said, Asian Americans and White Americans as a whole are probably a quarter a dozen if Indian and Chinese applicants are a dime a dozen.