Ask mbaMission

Hi,

I just scored a 700 on the GMAT (Q:46, V:40). I graduated from respected private university in Boston in 2007 with a 3.5 GPA and a double concentration in Finance and Management. I worked throughout college to fund ~30% of my education, and held two 6 month, full-time roles with Goldman Sachs & GE.

Since graduation, I have worked in corporate finance at GE, including two years in the rotational Financial Management Program (FMP). I have been a top performer (top 5%) every year, and am considered a role model among my peer group. I have been promoted twice, and am expecting another promotion within the year.

Extracurricularly, I was involved with Junior Achievement throughout my time as an FMP, and am now a student mentor for a non-profit organization focused on improving education in an underserved neighborhood.

I am looking top tier (HBS, Tuck, Wharton, Kellogg, LBS), and want to know what your thoughts are on my profile.
Thanks!

Hello BostonGMAT12, thanks for your question.

The broad strokes of your profile put you in range of top tier schools. Your GMAT is solid (perhaps your quant score is slightly below the 80% that I typically recommend), your GPA is solid, and you have solid professional and extracurricular actives. There are solid brands on your resume.

So, your competitiveness will come down to the quality of your leadership experience in and out of work. Can you draw upon "moments" when you truly led: influenced individuals and organizations, drove results, took initiative? The more compelling your stories, the more competitive you will be - and it does sound like you have some interesting stories to tell.

One thing: you haven't mentioned your career objectives. In terms of your post-MBA goals, paint a picture that cohesively ties together your past, present, and future. Demonstrate to the admissions committees that your desired career path necessitates an MBA. If you can do this, you'll enhance your profile; business schools want to know that your career trajectory truly necessitates an MBA.

I hope this helps.

Best of luck,
Brian