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Profile Evaluation Please!

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patrick2k3 Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
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25 Nov 2011
Posted:
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Profile Evaluation Please! Post Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:45 pm
Hello,

I just finished writing the GMAT for a second time and I scored worse than before. I want to apply for the Sept 2012 program, but am hesitant I won't get called for an interview. My desired schools are Columbia, Cornell, NYU, Oxford, or Cambridge. Do you think I have a legit chance???

My profile:

26 year old Canadian male with South Asian ethnicity.

GMAT: 530 (1st attempt), 510 (2nd attempt)

Undergrad:
University of Waterloo, BSc in Science & Business Co-op Honours, Minor in Biology, Minor in Economics (~75% overall, but 80% in the last two years)

Co-op Experience: <2 yrs
Franklin Templeton Investments - Mutual Fund Operator (4 months)
-processed mutual fund transactions
Canada's Technology Triangle Inc - Marketing Analyst (4 months
-assisted with economic development activities for the Region of Waterloo. Liaised with government officials and senior executives from international firms
Scotiabank - Project Control Officer (4 months)
-developed an analysis that discovered tangible cost-saving possibilites. Analysis was presented to the EVP and was implemented.
RBC Capital Markets - Global Credit Analyst (4 months) & Jr Risk Manager (4 months)
-assisted with fixing a revenue leakage issue. Adjudicated healthcare professional loans that were <$1 million CAD

Work Experience: 4 years
Scotia Capital - Business Analyst (2 years)
-worked with the Scotia Capital's derivatives trading Front Office and Back Office team to implement solutions that increased revenue and reduced expenses. Promoted to mentor co-ops after 4 months. Established an annual Christmas Food Drive in our department for homeless.
First Derivatives PLC - Senior Consultant (1 year)
-implemented a new risk management solution at one of the big Canadian charted banks. Also developed new business for First Derivatives via presentations to potential clients. Established a co-op program affiliated with the University of Waterloo
Accenture - Management Consultant (1 year)
-currently working on a strategic initiative for a tobacco firm in the United States

Volunteer:
-My high school friends and I founded a local street basketball league for "at-risk" youth (teenagers) in my community. League runs during the summer and helps get kids active and use their time constructively.
-Board member for the Waterloo Co-operative Residence Inc. Involved in managing two funds of ~$10K each to help run the co-op (university days)

Extra-Curricular:
-Run a property management firm with my brother with ~$1.5MM worth of assets
-CFA Level 2 candidate for the June 2012 exam
-Captain of family softball team
-Canadian Securities Course
-Conduct and Practices Handbook Course


My goal is to switch out of consulting and get into finance, specifically Institutional Equity Sales. I was truly confident that I would get above 600 the second time around, but it just didn't work out. I am extremely devastated because I'm not sure if I'll be able to get into any of my school choices. I would sincerely appreciate if you could shed some light on the probability of getting into one of my school choices.

Thank you very much for time!


Patrick

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Kofi@AdmitAdvantage MBA Admissions Consultant
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Post Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:29 pm
Hi Patrick,

I appreciate the note. You're likely going to wait until next year if you want to get into one of those top-tier programs, because a 530 is not going to do it, friend.I feel bad saying this, but your chances of getting in are not good with a 530 GMAT.

The rest of your profile looks pretty solid (which is a big deal), but you need to really improve that GMAT.

Kof

Thanked by: patrick2k3
patrick2k3 Just gettin' started! Default Avatar
Joined
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Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:04 pm
Thanks for your input Kof. I was really hesitant on whether I should apply this year or not. Do you think waiting it out another year and increasing not only my GMAT but also my work experience will help me get into those schools? Maybe even Wharton or Harvard?

GMAT/MBA Expert

Kofi@AdmitAdvantage MBA Admissions Consultant
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Post Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:24 pm
Hi Patrick,

Another year of work will definitely be helpful to you b/c you only have a few now. If you had six or seven years of experience, I may feel differently, but with three or four, it will certainly be additive. Your grades may need to be 'increased' (via some sort of supplemental courses). Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it too much now since you have other things to take care of. But, I would certainly go to the information sessions for all the schools for which you have an interest when they come to your city.

Kof

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