Profile Evaluation

Question

Hello,

I was hoping to get an opinion on my chances at M7 and the public ivies.

Graduated from Texas A&M in Spring 2013 with a degree in Finance. Finished with a 3.9 GPA. I did transfer, so the 3.9 is only through 70 hours (not sure if transferring matters for grad school). I had a 3.9 in the jr. college before transferring as well. I was in college for six years. Studied music for two years before switching to business. That might raise some concerns.

I haven't taken the gmat yet, was seriously considering the Veritas programs for applying R1 in Fall '16. I am a slow test taker, which is why I believe I'll need a prep class.

I worked with one of the big 4 banks in their analyst program for commercial banking. I left after a year and a half to a super regional bank as a sr. analyst in their corporate and investment bank. Not looking to move again before grad school. Ultimately, will have 3 yrs experience when applying and 4 yrs when beginning.

I was born in Texas and am half white and half hispanic. I think because my dad is caucasian, I am full white on paper. Will be 27 when applying and 28 when beginning.

Thanks,

VeritasPrepMarcus · Answer

What is lacking here is why you want to go to b school, i.e. your ST and LT career goals.

Otherwise it looks a little bland. Music might help make your app memorable but not really a differentiator. Will be important to explain your degree switch, but doesnt mean it will raise a flag as long as there is a logical explanation. Your career move will also require logical explanation and, hopefully, tie in with your career goals.

Your GMAT will be important so you are doing the right thing in addressing it head on.

Good luck!

bryantmichaels · Answer

I am mostly interested in your ethnicity, since applying as a Hispanic would greatly enhance your chances at M7. What's working against you is unknown GMAT (you really need to get up into the 700's for a decent run at M7 as a white male), and undergrad was not top 50 university. M7 likes to see top 20 actually. But if you can apply as hispanic (and I think you can for sure with 50% Hispanic parents), you could easily get attention. Also take a look at the common app, called the Consortium. Great way to apply as underrepresented minority. Do you speak Spanish, by the way? That would definitely help sell the case.

tamuundergrad99 · Answer

Career goals are to keep advancing in corporate banking, post-MBA Associate roles with one of the big 4 banks in leverage finance or IB. I am sitting for the CFA this June and next June, if that helps. I am definitely 50% Hispanic, so if that is what's accepted I should be able to apply as such. Not native in Spanish, but I can hold everyday conversations.

I took a practice GMAT and earned a 620 (only prep was reviewing myself / no Veritas or Manhattan course yet).

TAMU's overall ranking is quite low university-wide. However, I figured Adcoms would know the added competitiveness of programs such as the business school (ranked in high 20s this year) and/or the engineering programs (ranked in the low teens historically).

Thanks for the feedback!

bryantmichaels · Answer

Make sure you "remind" them of these things in the application. If you can get that GMAT up into the high 600's or even a 7-handle, you will have a great shot.

Profile Evaluation

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