Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Apr 2310:00 AM EDT
-10:30 AM EDT
Admissions committees evaluate the GMAT/GRE in context — your background, your representation in the applicant pool, the strength of everything else in your file. The same score works for one candidate and falls short for another with identical numbers.
Apr 2312:00 PM PDT
-01:00 PM PDT
Inquire for a free profile evaluation and guarantee statement for possible admits and scholarships!
Apr 2408:30 PM IST
-09:30 PM IST
Join us for a Live Coffee chat with Jenifer Turtschanow where we talk about enhancing your MBA profile and fixing gaps in just 4 months.
Apr 2511:00 AM EDT
-01:00 PM EDT
Looking to secure a coveted spot at a top business school? Our team of seasoned MBA admissions consultants, including top B schools alumni and industry leaders, is here to help turn your dreams into reality. Let’s kick-start your journey to success!
mba2024or25
Joined: 02 Sep 2024
Last visit: 12 Feb 2025
Posts: 2
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 7
Location: Canada
Schools: Columbia '27 Wharton '27 HBS '27 Tuck '27 LBS '26
GMAT Focus 1: 775 Q89 V89 DI87 
GPA: 3.0
Schools: Columbia '27 Wharton '27 HBS '27 Tuck '27 LBS '26
GMAT Focus 1: 775 Q89 V89 DI87
Posts: 2
Kudos:
2
17 Sep 2024, 17:18
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi,
I went to a top business program in Canada (think Queens, Ivey, Rotman, etc) and graduated in 2022. Some family issues took over my life in college and I ended up with a 3.0. Luckily, I smartned up after graduating, and now work as a Lieutenant (Officer) in the Canadian Army (dismounted Infantry) and lead 30 soldiers. I've been in the army for 2 years now, and I'll be expecting a promotion to Captain in 1.5 years (this is the standard timeline, you can't really skip it).
I joined the army to fulfil a lifelong dream, gain some much needed discipline, and have a positive impact. I think I've accomplished the first two things now, and I've realized it's very hard/borderline impossible to have large scale impact in the army. Thus, I have decided its time to get out, get my MBA, and return to Finance. I was part of many investing clubs in college, and I interned at a Canadian pension fund in an Investing role as well. I have also been trading my own book since my junior year in college. Post MBA goal is HF, AM (Wellington, Capital Group, etc) or IB if I can't break into an Investing role.
My GMAT score is 775/805 (100th percentile). I sit on the board of a small charity (50k budget), and I work a lot with the legion helping out disabled, homeless, and generally vulnerable veterans. I am of Indian descent, but I was born in Canada and grew up here. Over the last two years, I also achieved a C2 level in German, starting from A2 (my girlfriend of 5 years is German). I am thinking of applying in R1 if I'm not too late, or R2. I was prepping for the GMAT, thus I had to delay applying.
I'm hoping for M7 + LBS. Top choices: Wharton and CBS.
Do I have a genuine shot or do I need to add something to my application? I want to know if I am truly competitive because as soon as I request reference letters from chain of command, they will know I want to leave and thus my army career will stop progressing. In short, If I apply, I have to release from the army in 6 months as well.
I put a poll up for those short on time. If you have the time, please reply with a message so I can better understand your advice.
Thank you!
I went to a top business program in Canada (think Queens, Ivey, Rotman, etc) and graduated in 2022. Some family issues took over my life in college and I ended up with a 3.0. Luckily, I smartned up after graduating, and now work as a Lieutenant (Officer) in the Canadian Army (dismounted Infantry) and lead 30 soldiers. I've been in the army for 2 years now, and I'll be expecting a promotion to Captain in 1.5 years (this is the standard timeline, you can't really skip it).
I joined the army to fulfil a lifelong dream, gain some much needed discipline, and have a positive impact. I think I've accomplished the first two things now, and I've realized it's very hard/borderline impossible to have large scale impact in the army. Thus, I have decided its time to get out, get my MBA, and return to Finance. I was part of many investing clubs in college, and I interned at a Canadian pension fund in an Investing role as well. I have also been trading my own book since my junior year in college. Post MBA goal is HF, AM (Wellington, Capital Group, etc) or IB if I can't break into an Investing role.
My GMAT score is 775/805 (100th percentile). I sit on the board of a small charity (50k budget), and I work a lot with the legion helping out disabled, homeless, and generally vulnerable veterans. I am of Indian descent, but I was born in Canada and grew up here. Over the last two years, I also achieved a C2 level in German, starting from A2 (my girlfriend of 5 years is German). I am thinking of applying in R1 if I'm not too late, or R2. I was prepping for the GMAT, thus I had to delay applying.
I'm hoping for M7 + LBS. Top choices: Wharton and CBS.
Do I have a genuine shot or do I need to add something to my application? I want to know if I am truly competitive because as soon as I request reference letters from chain of command, they will know I want to leave and thus my army career will stop progressing. In short, If I apply, I have to release from the army in 6 months as well.
I put a poll up for those short on time. If you have the time, please reply with a message so I can better understand your advice.
Thank you!
18 Sep 2024, 03:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
mba2024or25
Hi mba2024or25,
It sounds like you’ve built a compelling profile that could certainly make you competitive for M7 schools, especially Wharton and CBS, given your unique background, leadership experience, and strong academic performance post-graduation. your exceptional GMAT score of 775 (100th percentile) more than compensates for a slightly lower CGPA.
Your role as a Lieutenant in the Canadian Army and the leadership of 30 soldiers demonstrate strong managerial and leadership skills, which are highly valued in MBA applications. The structured progression toward Captain, along with your experience in a high-responsibility, high-stakes environment, is something that many applicants won’t have, making you stand out.
Serving on the board of a charity, working with veterans, and achieving C2 proficiency in German also add a personal dimension to your profile. These aspects showcase not only your well-roundedness but also your passion for giving back and your ability to achieve outside of professional life.
You are certainly competitive for M7 + LBS, and your profile shows strong potential. However, given the high stakes of transitioning out of the army, you’ll want to ensure your application is as strong as possible.
Book a free consultation with one of our experts at The Red Pen, and we’ll help you craft an application that showcases your leadership, global experience, and commitment to your post-MBA goals. This way, you can make the most informed decision before approaching your chain of command. Our contact number is +91 7780769732.
18 Sep 2024, 04:12
Kudos
Bookmarks
mba2024or25
Hello, mba2024or25
You have a genuine shot at M7 schools, particularly given your strong GMAT score and leadership experience. A GPA of 3.0 is on the lower end for top programs. However, your GMAT score helps mitigate this. Consider explaining any extenuating circumstances that affected your academic performance during college.
Additionally, focus on crafting a compelling personal narrative that clearly articulates why you want an MBA now, how it aligns with your career goals, and what specific skills you aim to gain from each program. Your achievement of a C2 level in German demonstrates strong language skills and cultural adaptability, which can be appealing to international programs. Furthermore, your experience with investing clubs and interning at a pension fund aligns well with your post-MBA goals in finance, making your application coherent and focused.
Engaging with alumni or current students can also provide valuable insights and strengthen your application through connections. I suggest getting your promotion and then applying for an MBA. You will get more work experience; however, the average work experience of top MBA programs is 4-5 years, so you will fit the criteria. You already have a strong profile, and your experience will help you bring out amazing leadership and impactful stories. What’s going to matter most in your profile is how you connect the dots and craft a compelling application. With careful preparation and a strong application strategy, you can present a well-rounded profile highlighting your achievements and potential for future financial success.
Feel free to book a detailed profile evaluation with us, and we will help you craft an attractive, standout application. 
