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After much thought and research, I have decided an MBA is the best way for me to accomplish my goals. I was hoping to hear some feedback on my profile:

Education
-GPA 3.1 (3.5+ in Business courses)
-Completing a BS Management from West Chester Univ, a state school in PA (AACSB accredited but not a prestigious school), will graduate in July
-Graduated high school in 2002 and spent time at 3 different schools, working full-time with large gaps of no education.
-Significant numbers of "withdrawals" on my transcript. My lackluster GPA (3.1) and number of withdrawals were due to working fulltime (they paid for me to go back to school).
-I might be able to get my GPA up to 3.2 before July, but that's it.

Work
-Since Jan. 2008, Manager of Operations at a theme park, managing departments of 400+ employees. I am responsible for several hundred thousand dollars in labor, have had many successes (including a spotless safety record). I have been asked to audit other major theme parks for safety concerns, conduct accident investigations, and have represented the company in court. Recently, I was asked to manage a new department (Guest Relations) to "turn it around" and match the success of my other departments.
-Jan. 2006-2008, Marketing Manager at a retail furniture store
-Jan. 2006-2007, Realtor (not sure if this is worth mentioning)
-Jan 2004-2006, Assistant Manager of Operations at the same theme park (previously Operations Supervisor 2002-2004)

GMAT
-720 on my first practice test this week, on the GMAT's website practice test (47q, 41v)
-I feel 750 is a realistic goal (the practice 720 came without ever having seen a GMAT), if not higher

Other
-Member of Mensa, Snowboard instructor, but not too many other "extracurricular activities" that I think apply
-Will be ready to apply by first rounds (if that helps at all)
-White, male, 26... not sure if that makes a difference in anything
-Writing is my passion so I imagine essays will be a strength (hopefully!)

I am most interested in a one-year MBA program. Am I a candidate for top schools? Specifically...
-Cambridge
-Oxford
-Northwestern (1 year program)
-Babson (1 year program)

Or is my work history too short and close to my graduation date? Cambridge, for example, says on their website that work history must come "post-graduation." All mine came -during- schooling. Should I not even be looking at Cambridge's website? Haha. I need direction!

Thanks and I -really- appreciate any advice,
Alex
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by Bryant@VeritasPrep » Wed Mar 24, 2010 3:14 pm
interesting profile. The good news is, the one year programs are not required to post their stats to the rankings, so your relatively poor GPA and low WE may not be as big a factor as it would be for the 2 year full time programs. Since you have leadership experience, I would say you could build a strong case for admission if you can indeed get the high GMAT scores you are targeting. I would apply to all schools--you never know who might take a flyer on a young, smart, ambitious achiever like yourself looking to redeem their undergraduate experience where you clearly underperformed your potential. What were you thinking? MEnsa? 750 GMAT? talk about underachieving! Don't worry--after grad school, you won't have to ever look back. Good luck.
Bryant Michaels
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by uprightcitizen » Thu May 13, 2010 7:46 pm
Bryant, despite my extremely long delay in response, I do appreciate your feedback. The good news is I was able to knock my GPA all the way up to slightly over 3.4 (technically "cum laude" at my college). I had incorrect information on how my GPA was actually calculated.

So, my basic profile would be:
-GPA 3.4 from West Chester University (no-name but AACSB accredited state school in Pennsylvania)
-5 years full-time work experience (mostly while taking night classes)
-750-ish GMAT score
Basic MBA goal:
-Further developing what I consider my greatest asset in business - my ability to recognize weaknesses and improve the effectiveness of a company. I want to utilize the MBA to be able to move from my current field, the theme park industry, into one that has a greater impact on a global scale. Specifically, I want to be a part of a company that has a positive and sustainable influence on the world and one where I feel I am making a difference in not just my department but the globe as a whole. An MBA helps me establish credibility as a force in more than just my current field.

Anyway,

I was hoping for some help on a couple questions:

1) I feel comfortable asking my boss for recommendations, but, since each school requires a unique recommendation, he can't just give me a form letter. Therefore, I can't ask him to do it a dozen different recommendations. I need to limit the number of applications. Should I feel "comfortable" applying to Round 1's in only...
  • -Cambridge
    -Northwestern (1 year)
    -Emory (1 year)
    -Harvard
    -BU (1 year International MBA)
Then, if I hear all "no's" it would only be the end of December and I can rush apps into lesser schools? I am not sure if I should include them in the initial round.

2) Very specific question... a few years ago I took an internship at Howard Stern at Sirius Satellite Radio. Merely mentioning that name elicits one of two responses ("that's incredible" or "that's disgusting"). Is this too polarizing of a fact about myself to include? It was taken as an opportunity for me to be able to work around one of the most successful creative minds in the world - and I learned some interesting things (including co-hosting a weekly radio show for a few months). I suppose I could mention the experience in some way without even mentioning Stern.

3) Does my basic MBA goal sound too generic? I do have a number of goals but don't want too sound too un-focused. The MBA goal I included is honest, just not my only goal.

Sorry for the long-windedness. I really appreciate the time and effort.

-Alex[/list]