SCBooth wrote:
LadyRoadWarrior wrote:
First of all - you have some serious fortitude to go through this crazy process three times and not give up!
Looks to me like you might be having execution issues, as your stats are fine (not stellar, but fine). Leads me to believe that you are making some mistakes in the way that you are presenting yourself to adcomms.
I could give better advice with some more context:
1. How many times have you taken the GMAT? Results?
2. What did you study in College?
3. What are your post MBA goals?
4. Who (if anyone) helped you with your applications (buddy at work, former college friend who has an mba, consultants, etc)
1. I have taken the GMAT three times. 620, 570, and 690
2. I studied business admin with concentration in finance and minors in Econ and Philosophy
3. post-mba goals are to shift in strategy consulting.
4. I consulted two individuals that I work with both of whom have MBAs from Stern. They also provided my recommendations.
A bit more bio info: I am a 27 year old African-American male. First in my family to go college. I have been with the same firm for 5.5 with steady promotions since I started at the company.
1. Three times for the GMAT is enough. You had major improvement the 3rd time. My only question would be what was your breakdown. Did you at least hit a Q45?
2. Did you have steady grades, an eclectic mix throughout all four years, upward trend, or downward trend? How did you do in your quant based classes? Did you write the optional essay in your applications?
3. Asset management to strategy consulting could make sense. Your issue here is likely to be in execution rather than the actual goals themselves. Is strat consulting your anticipated end game or is it a means to an end?
4. Alums are usually good sounding boards. However, if they graduated more than 5 years ago they may be a bit out of touch with the current application landscape. Also, how much input did you have into their recommendations? In what capacity do both of these people know you. Although I doubt their recommendations would have HURT your application they may not have helped it either.
The more you write the more I think there is an issue with your application execution and possibly a lack of leadership in your profile. This is my best guess based off the limited information given. Without seeing your resume, essays, etc. my gut has to lead on this one. Given your current age I'm thinking that you weren't successful your first year due to a lack of experience in comparison to other applicants. The last two years, if you've had steady promotions at work and improved your GMAT, and applied through the Consortium, and are a URM you are in line with others in your applicant pool. I wouldn't give up. Read the series of posts from Oh Denny on the Senator's blog
https://thesenator2014.wordpress.com/201 ... -part-one/ (three part series starts with that post). There are others who have been in a similar position. OhDenny did it and I really believe that you have the tools to do it too. You just have to learn to use them.