Applying in 2009

Question

Edited for privacy! Sorry!

agold · Answer

If you raise your GMAT to 720+, you will be competitive for HBS/Stanford/Wharton/Kellogg.

riverripper · Answer

With your profile you probably dont need a 720+ like many others. You have a solid GPA from a top 10 and it seems like you have an interesting story. However, your 640 will really hurt you. I suggest you retake the GMAT and aim for 700. Your goal is good but very specific and that might be tough. Luxury brands dont hire many people they arent the size of a P&G or Pepsi...they dont need 50 MBA grads a year. Once you are at school you can chase whatever you want but you want to maximize your chances when you are applying.

RVD · Answer

I say bring up your GMAT to 700+ (you should be able to score at least a Q46/V42) and apply to HSW, Kellogg, Fuqua, Columbia and be done with it.

MBA programs need more women and your profile looks good. You look like you have the background to create a nice story.

RVD.

ElleBee · Answer

Edited for privacy! Sorry!

k88 · Answer

Take the stats class and I think you have a very good profile

Are you considering taking the GMAT again? I wouldn't unless I had lots of time but you do have some breathing room since you are applying next year. Your target schools seem very appropriate and I'd aim higher (in the Kellogg range since you want to do luxury goods marketing) if I were you. I would caution and say that many women coming out of b-school want to go to into this field; it is highly competitive. I might especially focus on schools in NY since it is far easier to get an internship there at a luxury goods brand than from some other schools as they don't typically have dedicated recruiters coming out to the b-schools. I worked for several luxury goods companies in the past so am pretty familiar with the recruiting process, let me know if you have questions. Kathy

terp26 · Answer

Why don't you add wharton to your list.

you may need to clarify your work experience a bit.

ElleBee · Answer

Meowzilla --- thanks for the great advice. I'll be sending you a PM in a little bit.

Terp --- Wharton is pretty much out for me. I'm a bit constrained by where my husband is going to be doing his PhD work and he will definitely not be doing it at Penn. My school list is pretty broad now because we're not positive where we'll be ending up and want to get as clear a picture possible of my potential acceptances/rejections when we choose his school...but he didn't even apply to Penn so that's out. I guess I could always commute from NYC though. Hahaha, okay, I'm a little paranoid and don't want to clarify my work experience too much because I've seen some alumni from my smallish undergrad on this board before and they might be able to guess exactly who I am if I get too specific.

riverripper · Answer

I would replace UNC with NYU...I think NYU has a a club for luxury brands if thats what you want to do you should do some research on that. Still luxury goods is very hard and tiny segment, so if you are going to want to go there then you are going to need a top school. I know we had the CEO from one of Gucci's brands here this week, but still think that opportunities are far and few between, even at the school considered the top marketing program in the world.

ElleBee · Answer

Thanks, Riverriper. I most certainly will be replacing UNC with Stern, especially with the new GMAT score. I was kind of worried about NYU and Columbia with the 640...not that even an 800 makes you a sure thing anywhere, but I feel better now.

GoBruin · Answer

With you new GMAT score, I think you're in the range where you can apply anywhere. So i would take out a couple of the safeties and apply to the ones mentioned wharton, NYU, Kellogg. You profile with the 710 is solid! You have calculus and some math so you should be good with the quants

terp26 · Answer

no problem ellebee. But make sure it is crystal clear to the adcom ! You have a great profile , good luck!

Applying in 2009

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