Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi, recently joined member here. I wrote the GMAT on Monday (yesterday), looking for some advice on which schools I should be applying for.

Age: 23

Nationality: Canadian

Program: Brock University, Bachelor of Business Administration, with first class Honours, Co-Op Option, Concentration in Finance

Graduated: October 2006 (although finished May 06, the french took too long to send the marks back to my home university to let me attend convocation in may)

Extracurriculars: University Student Council for 2 years, 1 year on student union board of directors, 1 year student radio board of directors, 2 years co-founder and director of finance Brock Debating Society, 3 years president and/or chairman of the board Brock Finance and Investment Group (www.brockfinance.com). Since grad, I am the treasurer of the federated health charity campaign in our office building, and I am an alumni advisor to the aforementioned Brock Finance Group.

GMAT: 680 (V44, Q35) - I know, not so great on Q, but I think a decent overall score. Don't know AWA, as it's been one day.

GPA: 81% here in Canada. According to the province of Ontario conversion chart, that's about 3.7, but according to GMAT it's closer to 3.2..... I know I was top 10% of my class though.

Work Experience: Not sure if they count co-op positions (I had 2 X 8 month positions, 1 as a business analyst for a major power producer, and 1 as a risk and assurance consultant). After grad I did 8 months as an auditor for the government (auditing external companies for compliance with government regulations), then joined the finance branch in our part of the government as a financial analyst. Led teams, reported to senior management, tracked spending, maintained client relationships, etc. Joined in Dec 06, will have been there for 1.5 years when I start the MBA in Sept 08.

Reason for doing my MBA: sick of working in a government environment, this will be a great way for a career change. My BBa school doesn't have enough prestige to get me to the levels I want to get to. I'm interested in consulting as a way to use multiple skill sets (working in teams, analysis, communication, financial skills, etc), and have the ability to work in different areas (ie. overseas)

Other interesting info: Did an exchange to l'école superieure de commerce (ESC) in Rouen, France, for my last semester (jan-april 06). I speak french fairly well, although it is a bit rusty. Also have my Canadian Securities Course (equivalent to the Series 7 in the USA)

I'm pretty sure I can get into any Canadian school (Rottman, Ivey, Schulich are the only ones I'm interested in), but I'm aiming for the big US schools. Any thoughts on what my options would be? Geographic location doesn't matter to me, nor does the tuition. Thanks for any advice!

Hi robert72,

I think you may be able to apply for slightly higher tier schools if you waited a year and gained a bit more work experience, as well as amping up the extracurriculars (take on a strong leadership role) and perhaps improving the Quant section of the GMAT.

Your GPA sounds strong, and it's great that you have already shown some progression at work and leadership experience. If you were able to increase your responsibility/earn a promotion, that will be even better for your candidacy.

Good luck!

Amy

Hi Amy, thanks for the response. I'm hoping you can provide clarification if I go into a little more detail.

After finishing school in May 2006, I started working as a junior auditor for the government here. I audited a major canadian corporation for compliance with government laws, visiting around 100 of their different offices. Part of this included building relationships within their organization, reporting to their management, and senior management within the government.

In December I was promoted to the Finance Branch as a financial analyst. In that role I provide analysis and advice on one division of the government that spends around 2.5 billion per year. That includes reporting to senior management, reporting to other government agencies, leading teams, working on business cases, working with clients within the division and in different divisions. When I leave in August of 2008 I will have been there for a total of 21 months.

That is a total of 29 months (almost 2.5 years) of experience. That doesn't include 8 months as a risk and assurance consultant (on a co-op), and 8 months as a business analyst (also co-op). I know co-ops/internships can be looked on as not too challenging, but I was doing some pretty big work during the two periods. If I add those all together I get 45 months, which is 3.75 years. Is that still not enough experience for the top US schools?

As for promotion, I am in an environment where that won't be possible for some time (welcome to government), which is one of the reasons I will for sure be doing my MBA next september.

As far as extra curriculars, what kind of things would you suggest? Board of directors of a charity, or leading some kind of campaign, or something else?

Thanks again for your help.

UPDATE: Got my official score today, 6.0 on the AWA. Don't know if that helps at all.

Hi robert72,

Keep in mind, there are no hard and fast "rules" on length of work experience (or GPA, or GMAT) it is definitely a process that takes into account a lot of information including how you present yourself in your essays, etc.

Your work experience is good, and I think you can apply this year - however, I think some additional preparation in terms of GMAT and increased work responsibilites may give you a good shot at even higher tier schools. That being said, it never hurts to apply to your dream school this year - if you get in, that's great, if not, you can always reapply with a stronger reapplication next year.

Good luck!

Amy

Thanks very much Amy, I'm tempted to get your consulting package to help me get through the whole process for 3 or 4 of the top schools that you think I could get into..... I just don't have the cash sitting around.

Hi robert72,

We also offer one school packages and hourly services, but you can gain more information about SBC by contacting the office (see the website for details).

Another resource when you don't have the cash to hire a professional consultant is to use your friends and family. If you know someone who has an MBA they will be incredibly useful (and likely enjoy helping) but everyone can read essays and tell you if they do a good job of communicating your strengths.

Good luck!

Amy