Ask Stacy Blackman

Posting for MBAnowornever:

I am in the process of identifying business schools that I will apply to, but need assistance in coming up with a list of schools that is diverse in selectivity, but at the same, is in line with my career aspirations and academic interests. I am interested in pursuing a career in management consulting/business development, most likely in the media/entertainment field, and would like to focus on schools that cater to these particular areas.

Here is my list so far: Harvard Northwestern Columbia Berkeley UCLA NYU Cornell

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND I graduated cum laude from an Ivy League undergraduate institution in 2004 with a major in economics, a minor in political science, an overall GPA of 3.4, and a major GPA of 3.6.

WORK EXPERIENCE (3 years) I currently work in the strategic planning group of a top-ranked global investment bank (IB) where our primary stakeholders are the IB co-heads, the IB CFO, and various product CFO’s. I entered the firm as part of a rotational training program, and after completing three rotations in completely different parts of the bank, I placed in my current team. I have had the chance to produce several high-profile management presentations and strategy decks and cultivate strong relationships with a range of people in my line of business (many of whom hold MBAs from top institutions whom I expect to receive glowing recommendations from). After a year, I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to be promoted to associate, given my superior performance.

LEADERSHIP Aside from my work experience, my participation in extra-curricular activities in college provided me with substantial opportunities to display leadership. I founded a cultural performing arts group and was voted president. Under my leadership, I established an annual charity event that raised $29K in two years for select charities.

GMAT I scored a 650 (67th percentile quant, 88th percentile verbal) on my GMAT a month ago, and am planning to retake it to improve my score. I am shooting for a 700, but I would be happy with a 680/690 (90th percentile). The GMAT is my primary area of concern, and I am worried that it could possibly detract from the rest of my application. Please let me know your opinion with respect to this “weakness.”