Profile evaluation + advice

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Profile evaluation + advice

by nomad » Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:51 pm
Hi,

I am applying to the usual suspects in the US. Have two requests:

Profile eval and advice on hwo to deal with a GMAT issue.

Target schools : Harvard, Stanford, Wharton

Age: 28
Academic experience : Mathematics
Work experience : 1 year in hi tech, 2 years at a Top tier management consulting firm.
Nationality: English
Locations worked: Ireland, London, Sydney - worked in Australia with my current firm for 2 years
GPA : Institution I went to didn't have it but graduated top of my class, slew of awards. Plus worked my way through college - from a working class background, first in my family to go to university
Extracurriculars : Have leadership position at my firm, which involved responsability for managing budget, training, social events. Also do some volunteer work with local schools, helping improve opportunities for kids that have little. Working 60/70 hours a week in my consulting job limits my extracurricullar involvement. Can also point to activities in college.
References : All top class. Will have an alumnus for H and S but not for Wharton. Mixture of backgrounds - some academic, some partner's in my firm and the CEO of a billion dollar business.


Goal post MBA: long term: work in hi tech firm, short term: return to consulting for short period

GMAT: 750 (48 Q; 48 V)

Here is the kicker: on the AWA I scored a 4.0. I can speak english fluently however there was basically consutruction work going on in the testing centre. It lasted through the AWA and most of the Q section. The testing centre lodged an "incident report" with GMAC. A lot of my fellow test takers were pissed and have re-sat the exam. I am happy - amazed in fact - I could score 750 with all the commotion. I'd been hitting 780's on practice tests and could do better but.....frankly I don't have the time and I reckon it wouldn't reflect well on my judgement. Who want's a prissy perfectionist?

How do I address the low AWA. I think I need to call it out somewhere in the optional essays but don't want to appear to be a whinger. It's just so pathetically low that it is weird. I can provide the incident report number in an interview if prompted?
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by Lisa Anderson » Sat Nov 01, 2008 9:16 pm
Dear nomad,

I would not worry about the AWA nor call attention to it on your application. As long as your essays are well written and the writing style matches your AWA, you should be fine. I agree--no sense in retaking when you have a 750; congratulations!

Good luck,
Lisa
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by nomad » Sun Nov 02, 2008 2:34 am
Thanks for the advice.

Fingers crossed

:)