Hey Tiger, You've a rock solid profile provided that your essays justify it and I don't think it is possible to apply as a couple and should not be. I may be wrong but that's just my opinion.

Tiger wrote:Dear Expert,

Could you please evaluate my profile and profile of my girlfriend:

Myself: Male / 24, GMAT = 740 (Q51), AWA 4.5, GPA 4.6 (out of 5.0), graduated from Top-5 Russian university in 2008 (major - Finance), since that time worked in McKinsey&Co as a consultant.

My girlfriend: Female / 24, no GMAT yet (ar. 700 expected), GPA 4.6 (out of 5.0) from Top-5 Russian university in 2008 (major - Law), works in world's top law Firm.

Our target schools are Columbia and Haas.

Wanted to ask two questions:
1. Could you please evaluate whether our profiles are strong enough?
2. Is it possible to apply as a couple? And what should we do for that?

Thank you very much in advance!

Yours sincerely,
Tigran

Hello Tiger,

I agree that from the information provided your profiles look competitive for Columbia and Haas, though your girlfriend's GMAT should definitely be no lower than 700 for Columbia.

I don't think it would help to apply as a couple, as they will still make their decision on the individual merits. Moreover, it's an element of uncertainty -- it could help, it could be neutral, or it could hurt if they want to accept one and not the other but worry that the admitted person won't accept without the other being accepted. Later on, if there is an admit/waitlist outcome or something along those lines, it may be relevant. Your best chances will be for you both to do great applications and optimize your strengths.

Best regards,
Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com