Puilunchristin's Portfolio

Hjort:

I would like to say thank-you for making a specific portfolio for me. I think this would be easier for our dialogues regarding my concerns about schools, etc.

Once again, let me take the chance to readdress my concerns regarding the GMAT and MBA process. I am still in the process of evaluating my portfolio of the schools that I want to apply to. I dont feel that my choices are diverse enough or maybe they are just not wise choices. But I feel that if I have a slight idea of what my portfolio would look like, at least I would know approximately what my target score should be on the GMAT and I would not be as frustrated and stress out. Here's my profile again, for you to look at:

Profile:
22-Female
Major- English 3.4 GPA
Minor- Chinese 3.5 GPA
Graduates in Dec (Only 3 years of time for a four year degree)
Recipient of the Earl and Hazel Endowment Scholarship from 2002-2004
Recipient of the Millenium Scholarship from 2002-2005
Dean's List 2004-2005
Languages Spoken: Cantonese, Mandarin, English
Home Country: Hong Kong
Extracirricular Activities: Fashion Writing Intern for Factio Magazine
Employments: worked in retail for about 4 years: Christian Dior, Coach, For Joseph- actually manages this store from time to time when the manager is not around.
Hobbies: Reading, Yoga, and drawing (I like to draw my own jewelry designs.)


As a young applicant, among many others who are probably just as concern and stressed out as I am. This is one of the reasons I am re-evaluating my choices:

MBA prospect: Looking to be in brand management and international business

1. Stanford- my dream school. But as you know, Stanford is the most selective MBA programs with only 10% acceptance rate. I have probably little to none chance of getting in, which is very discouraging for many people to even attempt to apply. Stanford stresses the importance uniqueness in their applicants, which I dont believe I have done anything that is exceptionally unique. Should this be a compelling reason for me not to apply?

2. UCLA/Columbia- Again, I am evaluating how highly selective these two schools are. Probably for the same reasons with Stanford.

3. Thunderbird- this school don't seem as selective and I am very interested in their language options along with the international prospectives in their courses. I spoke with many alumnis and found out about the great expereinces of diversity. I've also read many forums on the employment prospects of this school (which leaves me quite hesitant), but since many people mentioned that many of its graduates went back to their own country, I might be one of them. I remember some of our gmatclub members have said that many foreign countries are critical of foreigners, do you think it would be the case too if I go back to Hong Kong or China? I am a US citizen, but also have legal residency in HK.

4. UNLV- my home school and also a safety choice. I would definitely not be in debt if I attend this school.

What I am also concern with is whether I would make it for the Round 2 admissions in the Ultra Elite/Elite schools because what if I don't do well when I take the GMAT at the end of Oct, (I might need to retake) and plus my final grades would not be out until the 2nd to the last week of Dec. and the deadline for applications is about the first week of Jan.

Aside from that, I am still contemplating on schools such as UC Davis, UCI,(I have not heard much about them and no one really mentions them on GMATCLUB either) etc. If I choose to stay in the US, I would like to stay close to the west coast, and the only city I see myself in in the east coast is NY.

any recommendations?