Please Evaluate my profile for part time Kellogg/GSB.....

GMAT in March

Stacy / Any admission expert,

Need your help to evaluate my profile.

1. Undergrad GPA - 3.2 Grad GPA - 3.7 Both engineering degrees
2. 8 yrs of experience in sourcing with increasing responsibilities. last 2.5 yrs as Senior program manager in strategic sourcing.
3. APICS CPIM certified
4. 5/8 yrs of experience with 2 fortune 40 companies.
5. GMAT - 640 78% (Q 43 70% & V 34 70%)
6. I am non-native English speaker.

Target schools - Chicago GSB and Northwestern Kellogg; Both part time programs for winter quarter.

What are my chances of getting into any/both these schools? I do not really want to take my GMAT again unless absolutely necessary. Is there anything else I can do to beef up my profile?

Thanks,
Josh

Lisa Anderson · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject:

Dear Josh,

While your GMAT might be below the average for these programs, you still might have a good chance of admission. To strengthen your application, visit the campuses to make a personal connection with the admissions offices and address the GMAT score in the optional essay. Use examples from your education and professional experience to demonstrate you have the academic aptitude to succeed in the program. Finally, make sure your essays, interview, and letters of recommendation are outstanding. If they feel you will be a valuable addition to the class, then you will get a positive admission decision.

Good luck,
Lisa

GMAT in March · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks Lisa. Appreciate your response.

I know I need to spend lot of time on my application, especially essays. I like your suggestion about making personal connection with admission officers.

Have you seen anyone getting into these schools with similar GMAT score?

Thanks,
Josh

Shahid · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:44 pm Post subject:

Hello - current Kellogg 1st year student here. Just to second Lisa - the GMAT is only one part of the whole thing, but you're pretty well below average. The level of competition is so high that the rest of your application had better be pretty spectacular.

I know that might sound discouraging, but it's not. If you feel you can really make something special out of the rest of your application, go for it. Remember that the Adcom people are human, and they realise you could just have had a bad day. If the rest of your academics are excellent, this will help balance out your GMAT. If the rest of your academics suck, I'd consider retaking.

Feel free to ping me with any specific-to-your-case questions you may have.

GMAT in March · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 5:59 am Post subject:

Shahid,

THanks for your reply. Please note that I am considering both these schools for Part Time programs only. Is the compitition equally brutal for part time as it is for full time?

Are you a part time student?

THanks,
Josh

Shahid · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 8:22 am Post subject:

Hey Josh,

I've sent you a private message on this. I'm not a part time student, so I can't answer that question with any accuracy. I'd hesitate to call it one way or the other. I will say that I've had a class with the PTMBAs, and they didn't seem to be of a different standard than the full time people.

Shahid