I'm 28 turning 29 in July and I'm looking at a porjected GMAT score around 700-720 if I were to apply for round two decisions in January. I know that if I had an additional year, that my score range could be in the 750-760 range which would go a long way to offset a low undergrad GPA and an English Lit. background.
On top of this, I have a new project that came across my path where I would be leading the Chinese division of our company out of mediocre growth by changing our marketing strategy and overall position within the marketplace. If successful, this would completely change the game for the after school education industry in China.
Both of these seem like good reasons to postpone applying to B-shool, but I'm concerned about being too old when I apply. I would be entering my first year at 30 years old. I'm wondering if the addition GMAT boost and work experience would be offset by applying too late?
I would appreciate any feedback.
EDUCATION
University of Maryland
B.A. English Literature (2.8 GPA)
Graduated May 2011
Fluent in Chinese
WORK EXPERIENCE
XXX XXX XXX (Not a brand name company)
Chief Strategist
- Worked with the China COO to define our customer profile and company strategy which led us to exit several unprofitable market segments and adapt our long term growth strategy
Worked with the COO and Chief Academic Officer to create an international counseling program set to be exported to Japan, Indonesia, and Korea in the following year
Created a student feedback / student score database that enabled automated student reports and increased student feedback workflow efficiency by nearly 200%
Led an academic team of 5 to standardize and automate curriculum to be exported to Japan and Indonesia
Worked with Chief Academic Officer and academic team to align course offerings to support the new company strategy
- Created and implemented a student management system that tracked and centralized student data across centers. The system currently has 98% uptime.
Worked with the finance and operational teams to develop CRM procedures from initial student screening and placement to payment procedures
Developed the company intranet to house centralized student data, drive center adoption of the student information system, centralize center, full-time, and part-time teacher scheduling, and host an online employee training portal
Shanghai, China
Foreign Affairs Office Liaison (Jan. 2014 - June 2014)
- Acted as an ambassador between school administration and the foreign teaching staff for the 7th and 8th grades, and worked with the Administration to help implement new teaching and campus policies
- Worked with the English department head to standardize curriculum progression from grades 5-8 as well as curriculum leveling within different class levels within specific grade levels
Shanghai, China
English Instructor
Jan. 2012 - June 2012
Taught grades 1-5 conversational English
XXXXX (Local Education Group)
Guangzhou, China
English Instructor
Aug. 2011 - Dec. 2011
Helped company pivot to find profitable market segment