Hello,

The higher your GMAT, the better your chances – and yet a very high GMAT is no guarantee for these schools. You also will need compelling applications. If you can do better on the GMAT quant side by a reasonable amount of preparation, it would make sense, but if it would require extraordinary effort and/or you’re not sure you can do better, then the 720 will be fine. It’s not high for those schools but it does the job. Your transcript will show your quantitative skills, and you can underscore that strength with a short optional essay saying that the academic record is a more accurate indicator than the GMAT, especially given your work in finance.

I’m aware of the academic rigor of the Air Force Academy, and so are the adcoms. That said, the GPA is still a little low.

From the info you’ve provided I consider your target schools reasonable reaches – but at the outer edge of that category. I suggest that you broaden your list if you can find schools in the very next tier that meet your needs. For other schools at the top level, however, have you looked at MIT’s Sloan and Cornell’s Johnson (assuming you’ve had some service following graduation)? I’ve found these schools to be particularly welcoming to people coming from a military background (this is anecdotal).

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com

Cindy, thanks so much for the great feedback. Truly appreciated.