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In Need of a Reality Check?

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In Need of a Reality Check?

by 3rd ACR » Tue Jan 25, 2011 11:31 am
Hi,

Could you please evaluate my profile?

Aiming for MBA class of 2013.

Age: 28
Gender: Male
Nationality: white/non-hispanic

GPA : 2.3, Texas A&M University. BS Political Science.
GMAT : 540 (First attempt)

Work experience:

Served 7 years in U.S. Army as an officer making the Rank of Captain. Served two tours in Iraq, totaling 27 months of leadership experience in combat and earning two bronze stars. While deployed to Iraq, I commanded a Battery of 142 men and stayed in command for a total of 18 months. While deployed, I executed over 214 patrols and was responsible for stimulating the economies of two major cities in southern iraq through targeted business grants resulting in a peaceful security situation and quantifiably reduced unemployment rate.

MAJOR area of concern:

Both my GMAT score and dismal GPA are the areas of concern. I'm at a crossroads where I need to know if attending a top 100 MBA program is in the realm of possibility for me. I wish to know so I can swallow it and move on instead of wasting countless hours preparing applications in hopes of a impossible outcome.

Career goals:

Immediately after B school, I'd like to work in general management for a fortune 500 company, using my problem solving and decision making skills to add value to the company.

School choices:

Is there even a school out there that would give me a shot?

Any incite no matter how frank would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.
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by Tani » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:29 pm
Your GMAT and GPA will most likely keep you out of a top twenty school, but with your excellent leadership experience you can certainly get into a school in the top 100, possibly even into the top fifty.

You have a great leadership story to tell as well as one that is directly business-related. I suggest you consider an admissions consultant who can help you understand and outline those factors in your military background that will be appealing to an admissions committee.

The big concern will be whether you can handle the academic challenges. You have plenty of time to put that concern to rest.

First, you should definitely continue to work on the GMAT. A 600 plus score would make a world of difference. Do not, however, run out and just take the test half a dozen times. Instead take a course or work with a tutor to develop the strategies necessary to handle this sort of test. I suspect you have learned much about strategy during your time in the Army.

Second, if you have access to a college or university where you are stationed, consider taking a couple of courses that would show your increased maturity and ability to handle classwork. Good grades in a couple of solid quantitative courses would not only demonstrate your ability, but would help you with the GMAT. If, in taking those courses you find you are still struggling academically, that will influence the level of school you can target.

Your stats present a significant barrier, but your leadership qualifications will make you stand out from most of the other candidates. Don't give up!

Good luck,
Tani Wolff
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by 3rd ACR » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:38 pm
Tani, thank you for the terrific guidance. I'm currently deployed to Iraq however, upon my redeployment, I will look to enroll in a course or two for the reasons you stated. I will also seek a gmat tutor targeting a 600 or above. Should I manage to break the 600 barrier would you think I could compete for a top 30 school?

Thank you for taking the time Tani.

Travis
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by Tani » Tue Jan 25, 2011 2:01 pm
Hi Travis,

There are never any guarantees when you are looking at top-ranked schools, but with a 600+ GMAT and great recommendations and sparkling essays you should certainly look at some stretch schools. AS for GMAT, if you have online access there are tons of good online classes such as Kaplan.

Hopes that helps.
Tani Wolff
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