Profile Eval - GMAT 640

Question

Hello,

I would appreciate it if someone would evaluate my profile!

1) Brief description of your full-time work experience. What do you do?

I worked as an operations analyst at a bulge bracket wall street firm (think JPM, Goldman) for 1.5 years. During my time at the firm, I was one of two junior analysts on my team to have the opportunity to travel to the UK to work directly with the trade desk and to India to help train and integrate a completely new team. After leaving this firm, I joined a boutique investment management firm as an operations associate (my current role). I have been in this role for a little over two years. I have recently been promoted to a senior associate, and I am in charge of two other people on my team.

2) Your GMAT.

640 - AWA 6, IR 6, Q44, V35; I will be retaking in hopes of increasing my score to around the 680 range (which is where I was scoring on practice exams)

3) College info: The name of the college, your GPA or grade average, your major, year of graduation.

I attended a public state school in the southwestern United States (not ranked anywhere near the top)
Major: Finance with a minor in Economics
GPA - 4.0 
Year graduated - 2010

4) Significant college and post-college extra-curricular activities or community service, especially leadership experience.

I helped start a professional business fraternity at my university along with four other students
I served as a VP for another business fraternity for two years
I also helped initiate multiple initiatives on campus aimed at helping various underprivileged groups in the vicinity around our campus

5) Important certifications like CFA, CPA, FSA, or CA.

None

6) Your target programs.

In order of preference - 1. Georgetown FT MBA 2. Emory FT MBA 3. Arizona State FT MBA 4. Kelley FT MBA

7) When you plan to apply?

R1 for matriculation in Fall 2015

8) Your post-MBA goal.

So far my experience has been limited to operations/back office type roles. I would like to jump over to the other side of the investment management business in an equity/fixed income research role, and eventually hope to manage portfolios.

Thank you for your time!

hopeful101candidate · Answer

Hi,

Can someone kindly evaluate my profile please?

Thanks!

bryantmichaels · Answer

You should have a shot at your targets, but will increase odds greatly if you raise your GMAT score. your work experience is good, but make sure you explain clearly how you plan to make the transition from operations and admin into actual finance/AM roles. Let us know if we can help you develop your story more specifically.

pripsie · Answer

Even Goldman vs. JPM is a huge disparity. If you worked at Goldman, I'd say shots are very good; I imagine you worked a bit "lower" on the prestige ladder, which I don't think hurts you for these schools, but how far down is my question.

I honestly think you could/should think about aiming a bit higher. Great GPA (were you val?)/good work experience -- if you have a tight story about what you want to do / why you want to do it, maybe try a few other of the lower tier-1s just to see?

Though I'm certianly no expert in any of this

hopeful101candidate · Answer

Hello,

I retook the GMAT and scored 700 (Q47, V39, IR7, AWA not available yet). In light of this, would you please evaluate my profile again to determine my chances of admission to the aforementioned programs?

Thanks!

hopeful101candidate · Answer

bryantmichaels  - can you help please?

bryantmichaels · Answer

Yes a 700 GMAT will put you in a much better position than 640 to be sure, but it's still about the "whole package." I would not hesitate to try with the 700, however. Let us know if we can help.

hopeful101candidate · Answer

Thank you, sir. Much appreciated!

bryantmichaels · Answer

I don't see why you wouldn't get attention from your target schools with a 4.0 GPA and 700 GMAT.

Profile Eval - GMAT 640

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards