Could you please advise me on my profile? Thanks.

Question

Hi,

I would greatly appreciate if you could give me your opinion on my profile.

French, 26yo, Male

Education :
- BSc in a top 5 french school - average grades (12/20)
(international exchange in unknow Californian school-6 months, GPA 3.7)
- MSc in a top 3 UK school - average grades (pass)
(international exchange in best Italian school-6 months)

Gmat :
690 (Q49-V34)

Professional background :
- Five internships in strategy and marketing, including two small ones abroad. The last ones being 12 and 6 months (Assistant brand manager in a big FMCG company working on a brand name switch for a major brand ; Assistant of the CEO of a small luxury retailer)
- Three years in a  top US strategy consulting firm  (at least top 10) in London, with a few projects outside Europe. Good evaluations - one promotion.

Extra-curricular :
- Quite a lot of activities in political think tank while in Bachelor
- Ran several marathons (time: 3h30) for an association supporting blind people - fundraised £1000 everytime
- Active member of the association supporting blind people
- Travelled alone 3 months in Asia and South America after college

Languages :
4 common European languages spoken

Post-MBA goals :
Finding a top job (strategy or finance) in a major Telco company in order to reach top management or switch later to PE. (Can probably make a nice essay explaining the coherence between my work experience, telco and my work with blind people?)

Target schools :
- H/S/W + Insead
- MIT/Columbia + LBS

Any insight/comment will help me.
Concerning the Gmat, would you say it's interesting to repass it to get 700/720 and balance a bit more the low GPA? (I have time to pass it)

Thank you very much.

Ben

Accepted.com · Answer

Ben,

Given that your grades are average, that you are applying to the  elite business schools , that you have the time to retake the  GMAT , and that you appear reasonably confident you can raise it, I would say go for it and retake the exam. You may be able to get in given your excellent experience and European background without retaking, but why chance it?

Best,
Linda

ben2006 · Answer

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your time and advice.

Would you say H/S would be a stretch and I/W/C a fair shot with this profile and Gmat score?

Thanks again for your help,

Ben

Accepted.com · Answer

Ben, I agree with your assessment about Harvard and Stanford. I would also say that Wharton and Columbia (assuming you mean Columbia and not Chicago) are stretch programs. You are probably more competitive at INSEAD, assuming that's the I.

Best, Linda

ben2006 · Answer

Thank you very much for your help. Last question

Would I be competitive for H/S/W/C with a gmat 720+ according to you? Merci, Ben Posted from my mobile device

Accepted.com · Answer

Yes. A 720 GMAT would probably increase your competitiveness and the likelihood of acceptance at these programs. However, I am not positive that you will get in with a 720+ or that you would be rejected without it. I just think the desired outcome is more likely.

Best,
Linda

Could you please advise me on my profile? Thanks.

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