Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi Stacey/Amy,

Please kindly provide any suggestion to strength my profile. I'm planning on applying for business school this year.

My background

29 Male
Born and raised in Hong Kong. Came to the US for high school and College.

GMAT - 680 (Q49, v34) will retake and should be able to bring my score up to 730.

UCLA grad 2002 - Physiological Science / Business Economics / Accounting Minor - Cum 3.3

USC grad 2005 - Masters in Business Taxation - GPA 3.3

CPA

Currently a SFA (have experience in both FP&A and global operations) in a fortune 100 company. Worked with the CFO and finance directors in strategic planning, budgeting, restructuring analysis, competitor analysis, benchmark analysis, and various margin improvement analysis.

Before working as a SFA, I was a senior tax consultant at Deloitte for about 2 years.

Extracurricular activities (from the most recent) - Riordan Fellow 2007, Financial committee chair for San Fernando Project Restore for Habitat for Humanity in 2006, MBT representative for USC Marshall in 2004-2005, Special Program Director for UCLA UBS in 2001-2002, Co-founder of Physiological Science Society for UCLA in 2000-2001

Target schools: UCLA, Haas, Kellogg, Harvard and Wharton. Please kindly let me know what my chances are for each. Thanks in advance!

Hi Jameschan168,

You have a nice array of extracurriculars and it sounds like you may have interesting work projects to discuss in essays as well. If you are able to improve your GMAT that would be helpful, your GPA is decent - was it high or low for your major?

Your background is fairly standard for MBA applicants, and I'm wondering what your goals are? I think if you are able to demonstrate your unique qualities and show leadership/teamwork etc in your essays you have a good chance in the pool.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy,

Thanks for the quick response. I really appreciate your insights. My GPA is about average for my major since both of them are considered fairly challenging at UCLA. I was working full time while obtaining my Master's so I think I can explain that GPA as well.

With my background my career goal is to work for one of the top 3 consulting firms focusing on strategic consulting. Besides the schools that I have listed, would you recommend any others?

PS - I spoke with one of the directors at UCLA before and she mentioned that I have a strong profile but if I want a fellowship I need to score a 730+ on the GMAT. What's your take on such comment? Do you think I have a fairly good chance in getting in? Thanks a bunch!

Amy Ulrich wrote:Hi Jameschan168,

You have a nice array of extracurriculars and it sounds like you may have interesting work projects to discuss in essays as well. If you are able to improve your GMAT that would be helpful, your GPA is decent - was it high or low for your major?

Your background is fairly standard for MBA applicants, and I'm wondering what your goals are? I think if you are able to demonstrate your unique qualities and show leadership/teamwork etc in your essays you have a good chance in the pool.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi James,

Maybe Darden or Tuck, perhaps Duke. Out of the other schools you listed, UCLA is probably the most accessible, but they can all be quite competitive.

I think she was just communicating that you could improve your GMAT score (and that they apparently have a cut off point for fellowships).

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy,

My VP decided to fully sponsor me for an EMBA program. I am going to apply to Wharton, Haas-Columbia and UCLA. Can you please let me know what my chances are?

I'm also receiving a promotion to be a manager before my application. I have also been nominated to serve on the UCLA Riordan Board of Directors as Finance Director (an non-profit organization associated with the UCLA Anderson school).

Thanks!

Amy Ulrich wrote:Hi James,

Maybe Darden or Tuck, perhaps Duke. Out of the other schools you listed, UCLA is probably the most accessible, but they can all be quite competitive.

I think she was just communicating that you could improve your GMAT score (and that they apparently have a cut off point for fellowships).

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Jameschan168,

That sounds reasonable, although it's still worth it to re-take the GMAT if you think you can increase it substantially. UCLA should be within your range, and I think it's worth trying for the others.

Good luck!

Amy