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Updated on: 19 Jul 2011, 06:05
Originally posted by wonderbread1 on 15 Nov 2010, 13:11.
Last edited by wonderbread1 on 19 Jul 2011, 06:05, edited 1 time in total.
Last edited by wonderbread1 on 19 Jul 2011, 06:05, edited 1 time in total.
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...
16 Nov 2010, 02:44
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Dear Wonderbread1,
Thanks for your post. My thoughts are as follows:
ACADEMICS
Your 3.4 GPA is fairly solid, albeit below the average for entering students at the very best b-schools (often 3.5-3.6). Of course, the field of study (elect. engr) is rigorous, so you get some points for that - and if the undergraduate institution you attending was top-tier, your 3.4 may be weighted a bit more towards the positive, etc. Keep in mind, however, that engineers are a dime-a-dozen in the MBA applicant pool (along with ugrad business majors) and that you may have trouble standing out from the pack.
In terms of your GMAT, there are some positives and some negatives. On the plus side, you have a balanced score and have topped the 80th percentile in each section (something that the schools really like to see). On the downside, your overall score of 680 is below average at the schools on your target list (they often run closer to 700+ as an average).
In sum, your academic profile is presently a bit lackluster - although I'd need to know more about where you studied to draw any major conclusions. My sense is that a GMAT retake is in order - especially if you aren't applying for another year - and that you should aim to get above the average at your target schools.
WORK EXPERIENCE
You offered very little in terms of information here. I can say that you already have logged enough years of experience (and given the trend towards younger applicants I wonder why you didn't consider applying this year...but that's another story). In terms of the work itself, I'd need to know what industry you are in, whether you can relate your work to concrete impact on products or services that the adcom will grasp, etc. Your comments about a lack of teamwork and potentially poor recommendations are major concerns. If anything, you will need to work harder to collaborate (where possible) in the work place and get in the good graces of your managers prior to application. Try to think about how your work impacts the bigger picture (e.g. business decisions) of the firm for which you are working. Again, the details you provided here are slim, so there may be more positive news here than I am picking up on. Feel free to send your resume to [email protected] if you'd like a more thorough assessment of your profile/have a free chat with one of our counselors.
XCS
There seems to be some promise in your XCs. Keep in mind that engineers often get sterotyped as being a bit geeky (most likely to be stuck behind a computer screen, etc) - which should make your involvement in triathlons a nice feather in your cap. The BBBS work is clearly a positive too. Think about how your work with Big Brothers might 'translate' into involvement on the MBA campuses you are targeting. Your fraternity presidency could have some positive aspects, although I will warn you that you need to be careful as to how you handle this/how extensively you feature it, since many admissions readers think 'Animal House' when they see the word fraternity.
GOALS
Your goals sound a bit all over the place. As you know, finance and marketing are rather different from each other and the two fields are likely far-removed from your current role. Have you done anything at work that relates to either field? Have you pursued either of these interests outside of work as a hobby? I encourage you to think about the work you have done to date and whether or not there are any elements in your profile that might relate to your future plans. The schools tend to like to see some degree of continuity when it comes to one's career-to-date and future plans. In other words, it's easier to get into b-school if you aren't proposing a radical career change. It's also easier to get into school if you have a fairly concrete plan post-MBA (rather than an 'either/or' kind of plan).
SCHOOL SELECTION
The schools on your list are all top-tier, most of them typically in the 8-16 ranking range. Given what you've mentioned in terms of your profile, it's hard to say that you will be a homerun at any of these programs, but the good news is that you have some time to work on your candidacy. I also suspect that if I had more information about your background, I might be able to identify some other highlights that you could use in your favor, etc. UNC certainly fits with the programs and would be an attractive option as an in-state applicant. Of course, none of these schools are 'safetys', so you will need to craft strong applications to be competitive.
Best of luck with your applications! Feel free to send along your resume ([email protected]) if you'd like to have a free assessment via phone with one of our counselors.
Regards,
Graham
Thanks for your post. My thoughts are as follows:
ACADEMICS
Your 3.4 GPA is fairly solid, albeit below the average for entering students at the very best b-schools (often 3.5-3.6). Of course, the field of study (elect. engr) is rigorous, so you get some points for that - and if the undergraduate institution you attending was top-tier, your 3.4 may be weighted a bit more towards the positive, etc. Keep in mind, however, that engineers are a dime-a-dozen in the MBA applicant pool (along with ugrad business majors) and that you may have trouble standing out from the pack.
In terms of your GMAT, there are some positives and some negatives. On the plus side, you have a balanced score and have topped the 80th percentile in each section (something that the schools really like to see). On the downside, your overall score of 680 is below average at the schools on your target list (they often run closer to 700+ as an average).
In sum, your academic profile is presently a bit lackluster - although I'd need to know more about where you studied to draw any major conclusions. My sense is that a GMAT retake is in order - especially if you aren't applying for another year - and that you should aim to get above the average at your target schools.
WORK EXPERIENCE
You offered very little in terms of information here. I can say that you already have logged enough years of experience (and given the trend towards younger applicants I wonder why you didn't consider applying this year...but that's another story). In terms of the work itself, I'd need to know what industry you are in, whether you can relate your work to concrete impact on products or services that the adcom will grasp, etc. Your comments about a lack of teamwork and potentially poor recommendations are major concerns. If anything, you will need to work harder to collaborate (where possible) in the work place and get in the good graces of your managers prior to application. Try to think about how your work impacts the bigger picture (e.g. business decisions) of the firm for which you are working. Again, the details you provided here are slim, so there may be more positive news here than I am picking up on. Feel free to send your resume to [email protected] if you'd like a more thorough assessment of your profile/have a free chat with one of our counselors.
XCS
There seems to be some promise in your XCs. Keep in mind that engineers often get sterotyped as being a bit geeky (most likely to be stuck behind a computer screen, etc) - which should make your involvement in triathlons a nice feather in your cap. The BBBS work is clearly a positive too. Think about how your work with Big Brothers might 'translate' into involvement on the MBA campuses you are targeting. Your fraternity presidency could have some positive aspects, although I will warn you that you need to be careful as to how you handle this/how extensively you feature it, since many admissions readers think 'Animal House' when they see the word fraternity.
GOALS
Your goals sound a bit all over the place. As you know, finance and marketing are rather different from each other and the two fields are likely far-removed from your current role. Have you done anything at work that relates to either field? Have you pursued either of these interests outside of work as a hobby? I encourage you to think about the work you have done to date and whether or not there are any elements in your profile that might relate to your future plans. The schools tend to like to see some degree of continuity when it comes to one's career-to-date and future plans. In other words, it's easier to get into b-school if you aren't proposing a radical career change. It's also easier to get into school if you have a fairly concrete plan post-MBA (rather than an 'either/or' kind of plan).
SCHOOL SELECTION
The schools on your list are all top-tier, most of them typically in the 8-16 ranking range. Given what you've mentioned in terms of your profile, it's hard to say that you will be a homerun at any of these programs, but the good news is that you have some time to work on your candidacy. I also suspect that if I had more information about your background, I might be able to identify some other highlights that you could use in your favor, etc. UNC certainly fits with the programs and would be an attractive option as an in-state applicant. Of course, none of these schools are 'safetys', so you will need to craft strong applications to be competitive.
Best of luck with your applications! Feel free to send along your resume ([email protected]) if you'd like to have a free assessment via phone with one of our counselors.
Regards,
Graham
18 Nov 2010, 00:09
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wonderbread1,
In terms of your GMAT, you are competitive at Cornell, UVA, Duke, Michigan, and UNC. But if you have some reason (practice tests) to believe you can raise your score and retaking won't take time away from your application process, then you could re-take. But only a 40-point or higher jump would probably make any difference. A larger concern than your GMAT score is the lack of leadership in your W/E, your reco letters, and extracurriculars that aren't terribly distinctive. Applying with your score, these question marks, and a profile without anything distinctive to set it apart is a recipe for disappointment. To spread your risk, you may want to consider schools like Indiana, Emory, Purdue, Notre Dame, Rochester, Vanderbilt, or Georgetown. Or perhaps wait a year so you can beef up your profile.
Hope this helps,
In terms of your GMAT, you are competitive at Cornell, UVA, Duke, Michigan, and UNC. But if you have some reason (practice tests) to believe you can raise your score and retaking won't take time away from your application process, then you could re-take. But only a 40-point or higher jump would probably make any difference. A larger concern than your GMAT score is the lack of leadership in your W/E, your reco letters, and extracurriculars that aren't terribly distinctive. Applying with your score, these question marks, and a profile without anything distinctive to set it apart is a recipe for disappointment. To spread your risk, you may want to consider schools like Indiana, Emory, Purdue, Notre Dame, Rochester, Vanderbilt, or Georgetown. Or perhaps wait a year so you can beef up your profile.
Hope this helps,
