Profile Review [Average Profile Looking for M7]

Hey 21savage21,

Thanks for posting, and hopefully I can shed some light on your competitiveness for the M7 schools.

Starting with your stats, you're on the lower end of average for both undergraduate GPA and GMAT. Your ethnicity/background may add some caveats to that statement, but as a baseline you're facing an uphill battle to begin with. It's a good thing that you have taken supplemental classes post-MBA, but your 3.68 won't blow the AdCom away (it certainly won't hurt you though). Not much you can do to change those circumstances, though, so no point in focusing your efforts here.

Can you break down the 710? Is your Quant strong? What was your IR score? While a 710 is a really solid score, it's not in the M7 stratosphere speaking to the averages. Additionally, MBB will often screen applicants and interview only those with a 720+ GMAT score. There are exceptions to that rule for Military folks and some other demographics...

We generally guide our clients in situations like yours to blow away the AdCom with community involvement and recommendations that highlight your character and contributions to your firm. Your museum involvement is a great start, but I'd suggest jumping into more areas and focusing on opportunities where you can contribute to the vision and strategy of a non-profit. This is tricky because it really does need to be genuine and not simply to check the box.

Your work experience is interesting to be sure, but could preclude you from schools like HBS and Stanford. They are often looking for applicants from blue-chip MBA feeder companies, or applicants who have wildly unique work experience. Other schools in the M7 may view your work experience more favorably, but might balk at your GMAT/GPA.

I'd suggest focusing on schools that are highly ranked, yes, but that also would be a good culture fit for you and a good accelerator for your career. M7 or bust is absurd, and the MBB or other consulting opportunities abound at schools outside of the M7 like Duke, Tuck, and Michigan Ross.

If you'd like to speak more in-depth, or are interested in learning how we at Lionheart Admissions help our clients to craft compelling stories and deliver extraordinary applications, please reach out via PM or on our website: LionheartAdmissions.com

Cheers!