Profile evaluation- Please analyze

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Profile evaluation- Please analyze

by apal479 » Sun Sep 14, 2008 8:53 am
I just took the GMAT yesterday and wanted to know what my next step should be in the B-school process.

My background:

Undergraduate degree in Economics and Public Policy (with pre-med) from a top 25 university with a 3.1 GPA. (3.5 senior year, 3.5 major/minor GPA).

GMAT:
1st score: 660 (49q 31v)
2nd score: 700 (47q 38v)- (percentile: 79, 83, 90)

I just finished undergrad and am starting a job as an advisory associate for one of the big four. I will be working in the firm's energy practice (primarily renewable energy etc.). I also have experience working for a reputable entertainment company and working on capitol hill (with regards to renewable energy)

I understand my work experience has yet to play out with regards to my b-school application, and I won't be applying for at least another 3 years. But I am curious to how competitive I will be at many B-schools considering my academic record.

As an undergrad, I performed poorly in many quant courses (moslty c's), Calc, stats, accounting. I have created an alt. transcript by taking accounting and calc. courses at my university's extension program. (all b's or better). Should I continue to build an alternative transcript?

Also, since my GPA is below average, would help me to take the GMAT again? Though I got a 700, my score was only 90%. (I believe 700 is usually 92 or 93%). Also, is it important to show a high math score on the GMAT since I did poorly in quant courses during school? Do any schools take your best math and verbal score from different GMAT sittings?

Ive never really been the type to stress over grades and standardized tests. But I want make sure my academics are more than adequate for many of the top 15 schools. (As of now, I am planning on applying to University of Virginia, Michigan, UCLA, and Berkeley......Perhaps Northwestern, Duke, and NYU, but I am a big believer in public education, so I plan to mainly pursue the first four schools on my list )

I plan to pursue an MBA program in conjunction with an MPP. Please advise on my candidacy.........
apal479
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by Lisa Anderson » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:42 am
Dear apal479,

I'm not convinced you need to retake the GMAT, but then your profile is really incomplete without knowing how you will do professionally between now and business school. Schools do not take one score off of one test and one off of another; they use the exam with the highest total score in the evaluation. It is good you have already taken a few courses, but I would suggest waiting until closer to applying to business school before taking any more. Your GMAT and these courses will all be 3-4 years old by the time you apply and it would be better to have something more recent. The percentiles for your GMAT score might fluctuate between now and your application as well, so I think it is best for you to also reassess whether to retake your GMAT closer to the time you apply.

Overall, you are building a competitive profile for the schools on your list. It will be important for you to maximize your work experience and volunteer experiences over the next 3+ years.

Good luck,
Lisa
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