Hello all,
I would be grateful if someone could quickly review my profile, and give their opinion on my chances at my target MBA programs. I am currently 24 years old.
- 3.27 overall GPA from a top private University in Texas, with a double major in Business and Economics. My last 4 semesters I had a 3.6 GPA, which included making Dean's list twice, adding a second major, and taking all but one upper level course
- Held an officer position in my University's Financial Analyst Program (this was a competitive program to be accepted into)
- Held multiple officer positions in my fraternity
- Currently working as an associate management consultant for a major international accounting firm ($4.2 billion revenue internationally in FY 2013)
- Plan to continue working in management consulting for 4-5 years before starting my MBA
- Haven't taken the GMAT yet, but I am aiming for a 700
- Will have at least my Certified Financial Services Auditor certification before starting, but am also aiming to have my PMP and CIA certifications
My top target programs are Columbia, Stern, Kellogg, and Booth. After my MBA, I want to focus in the financial area of consulting, or possibly work in VC/PE.
Opinions about my chances, and also how to strengthen my profile, are greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Quick Profile Review
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- fxmbaconsulting
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Hi there - Sounds like you have the start of a solid profile. Are you still living in Texas? You don't mention any international experience or volunteer work. Those might be things to focus on in the next 4 years. If you are still living in Texas (and also went to school there) that would be something to think about. Schools look at location - and just to give you an example, a consulting job in McKinsey's NYC office vs their Charlotte office are not viewed in the same way.
Best,
Leah
Best,
Leah
Thank you for your response!
I am actually going to start volunteering to tutor underprivileged children this upcoming school year.
I am still living in Texas, however I am hoping to relocate to New York before 2016. I am also very open to international assignments, it just depends on if the opportunity arises.
I am actually going to start volunteering to tutor underprivileged children this upcoming school year.
I am still living in Texas, however I am hoping to relocate to New York before 2016. I am also very open to international assignments, it just depends on if the opportunity arises.
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- CriticalSquareMBA
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Hey there,
You're off to an amazing start. It's great that you're about to start volunteering but don't just go about ticking boxes. Take a step back, think strategy, think story. If giving back and philanthropy is something that is, and has been, important to you, then by all means focus on that. Go volunteer and execute pro bono engagements, etc.
But if that's not what makes you tick, that's ok. Involvement doesn't HAVE TO BE community. It just has to be NOT WORK. Schools want to see you're well rounded. Yes, they want people who give back, of course, but they also want people who'll get involved and have fun and take others along for the journey. You can also get involved within your firm outside of projects in either building social community or thought leadership or sales pipelines, etc. etc.
So think about what you want your application to say in a few years. Then work backwards. Not every story has to be how you change corporations during the day and you help underprivileged communities at night. You're not Batman .
Bhavik
You're off to an amazing start. It's great that you're about to start volunteering but don't just go about ticking boxes. Take a step back, think strategy, think story. If giving back and philanthropy is something that is, and has been, important to you, then by all means focus on that. Go volunteer and execute pro bono engagements, etc.
But if that's not what makes you tick, that's ok. Involvement doesn't HAVE TO BE community. It just has to be NOT WORK. Schools want to see you're well rounded. Yes, they want people who give back, of course, but they also want people who'll get involved and have fun and take others along for the journey. You can also get involved within your firm outside of projects in either building social community or thought leadership or sales pipelines, etc. etc.
So think about what you want your application to say in a few years. Then work backwards. Not every story has to be how you change corporations during the day and you help underprivileged communities at night. You're not Batman .
Bhavik
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- CriticalSquareMBA
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Great - glad I could help! You're definitely a step or two ahead by being proactive. Good luck!
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I'm pretty excited right now. I just took a practice GMAT on the Veritas website, completely cold, and scored a 650. I definitely think a 700, if not higher, is within reach. I was scared to take a practice test, because I was afraid of getting around a 550 and having too much of a point difference to expect around a 700.
Is the Veritas Prep worth the $750 for on-demand material?
Is the Veritas Prep worth the $750 for on-demand material?
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- CriticalSquareMBA
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That's fantastic! You might want to post that question to one of the GMAT specific forums. Everyone studies a bit differently and so some people like the on-demand material, some prefer classes, and others get tutors. It's really up to how you work best but folks on that forum might be able to share their experiences with the various prep material!
Good luck with the prep!
Bhavik
Good luck with the prep!
Bhavik
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