Jtgu04 wrote:
25M/ Asian American. From an Immigrant family. Parents do not have high school educations. One of the firsts in my extended family to attend college.
3.1 GPA B.S in Chemistry from A Top 25 University. Does Major and Strength of School matter? I feel that Chemistry is a harder major than most and should be evaluated accordingly. I also feel school should carry some weight.
700 GMAT ( 49 Q 36 V) 5.0 AWA
Atypical Work Experience
- >2.5 years at an Emerging Biotech Company working Research and Development. Promoted in a quicker timeframe than others in my position. Increased Salary 35% in that time period. Assumed lead on various product development projects. Mangaged, mainted, oversaw inventory database for department of 70+ employees. Integral member of numerous developmental projects including communications task force to improve intra-departamental communcations, process improvement, and product development initiatives.
Community Service
- Missions trip to Mexico. Completed small constructions projects at improverished neighborhood in Mexico city at local church. Help run a summer Bible school.
- Volunteered at a local daycare center in college.
The Schools that I am looking at
Wharton
Columbia
Michigan
Duke
UVA
Texas
USC
Georgetown
Here is my situation. I quit my job about 6 weeks ago to study for the GMAT's and do some traveling. I have taken my test and have returned from traveling. I want to apply in 08' and was wondering what the best way I can improve my profile. Should I retake the test and try to nab an extra 30-40 points? Should I work part time and take a few classes at a local university in stats and accounting to improve my mediocre GPA. Or should I try to find work? and in what? I was thinking either sales, finance or consulting, or something like I have been doing. I have also considered moving to South korea to teach english and learn korean. Finally I thought about traveling abroad and volunteering. Any help would be appreciated
Jtgu04,
More important than raising your GMAT score is getting a job that shows forward movement from your previous job, especially in leadership responsibility, and that relates to your post-MBA goal (if possible). You didn't mention what your post-MBA goals are, but ideally your next job will align with those goals. I don't think teaching in Korea would help your profile much which seems a bit light in leadership. I certainly recommend deepening your community involvement (the Mexico trips sound unusual). Based on what you have given me I think you're aiming too high with Wharton, Columbia, Michigan, Duke, and UVa. Even the remaining schools are hardly shoe-ins. Since you are only 25, my advice is that you wait a year and build up your profile in the meantime.
Good luck,