Ask Admissionado

hi:

i'd greatly appreciate your thoughts on my profile and candidacy for a top mba program.

-30 years old (8+ years work experience) in advertising/marketing - worked for world's top ad agencies (ogilvy & mather, mccann erickson) managing fortune 50 blue chip brands
-half japanese/american, born/raised in tokyo, japan (bilingual)
-nyu undergrad, BS in communication studies - 3.7 cum gpa (magna cum laude graduate)
-gmat TBD (target is 700, may come in a little under/over this mark, we shall see)
-why mba: interested in transitioning in management consulting with marketing specialization; must build foundational business skills
-short term goals: work for top consulting firm, develop my commercial/business skill set
-long term goal: general management/c-level officer, perhaps CMO, for top japanese (or asian) multi-national corporation.
-weaknesses: lack of quant background, my age (older).
-strengths: multicultural, diverse, strong gpa, management experience/strong work experience, team player, strategic thinker.
-extracurriculars are solid and active.

my dream school is kellogg and hbs. wharton, columbia, haas, booth, and nyu are also on my list.

do i have a shot? i am planning on applying r1 or r2; preferably r1, but that depends on the gmat.

what else can i be doing now to improve my candidacy (i.e. supplemental quant classes)?

thank you very much!
basso25@

Very much obliged, Jon; I appreciate your time and support. Yes, the test continues to be my primary focus and it has been for the past 4 months. Appreciate your encouraging words; I will be sure to keep you posted on my progress.

Thank you very much.

jon:

here are my extracurriculars...would love your thoughts -- does this better/worsen my chances at hbs/kellogg:

-marathon coach (2:50 marathoner)
-founding partner and cmo of louddesk, llc (online contract management system)
-board member - american marketing association, hawaii chapter
-guest lecturer + public speaking engagements - numerous university and industry events
-director, st. mary's international school alumni (private school i went to in tokyo)

Thank you for your insights, Jon! And I'm encouraged (and relieved) to hear that you think they are sufficient (don't think I've ever used this word before gmat prep).

Ok, now back to gmat studying. Thank you so much again!

Jon@Admissionado wrote:Back to GMAT studying!!
Geez I'm glad I don't have to do that any more...

Wow. So not cool (just kidding, Jon). Way to rub it in our faces!!

hey jon: quick Q, regarding your comment earlier in the thread saying I don't need to take supplement quant class because my gpa is strong. i didn't take any quant classes to obtain that gpa at nyu; does that change your recommendation for me? i'd love your quick thoughts when you have a second, thank you!!

oh, sorry, one more thing: if, based on this new info, you'd recommend additional quant classes for me: do you have any reco's for good, reputable online classes?

finally going in for my first sitting on tuesday, wish me luck! doubtful, unfortunately, that I will hit that "7xx" mark, but lightning can always strike...hope to report in shortly after the test. thanks, jon.

ouch got punched in the nuts on my first gmat sitting (640, q42,v35). applying r2, but feeling quite discouraged; are my hopes of top 10 over? i feel h/s/w flying away quickly; would a kellogg/booth/columbia bite? help!

i'm all over it, boss; hope to share good (better) news in a month, cheers.