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by 1234567 » Tue Nov 16, 2010 5:38 pm
American
Age: 24 now, 25 at application, 26 at entry (applying for 2012 entry)

Attended top entrepreneurial school for undergrad with >3.75 GPA on a full academic scholarship

680 GMAT

No community service outside of work since college.

Worked for a start up for 6 months post college

Started and running my own business for 1 year. Business has a social cause, but it is for profit and in consumer goods industry.

Interested in applying, but I'm not sure if my list of school is reasonable. Should I retake GMAT?

List of Schools (in order of preference):
Harvard
Northwestern
INSEAD
Penn
Columbia
NYU
IMD
LBS
UMICH

UT Austin

Thanks for your advice.
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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:38 pm
Dear 1234567,

If you are not planning to apply until fall 2011 for fall 2012 entry, then you have the next year to address some weaknesses in your application. First, you need to get involved in your community now so you will have substantial time logged with the organization(s) that you choose by your applications. Pick an organization or two that you are interested in, maybe something related to your company. Second, if you have a year and think you can do better, then study and take the GMAT again to try to increase your score at least 30 points. If you can achieve a 710+, then you will be at the average for most top 10 programs. Finally, use this year to really build your resume with accomplishments and quality work experience.

In my opinion, I think your school list is a bit long, but you have to decide how many schools you want to apply to in terms of your resources (and your recommenders willingness). I highly encourage you to visit these schools if you can over the next year as way to confirm if the culture is a good fit and the school will provide what you seek in an MBA program. I also encourage you to research some reasonable and safety options to add to your mix as I don't really see any on your current list.

Best of luck,
Lisa
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by 1234567 » Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:56 pm
Lisa,
Thank you for your reply. I two quick question, what would you suggest for "quality work experience" and would you still recommend me retaking the exam if the first time I took the exam I opted to not take the score, and the second time I got 680 and retaking would mean I've sat for the exam three times?
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by Lisa Anderson » Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:13 pm
How many times you take the GMAT is not really an issue, just what your highest score is. Many people take the GMAT 3 times and find the third time to be their best score. Quality work experience is just that--gaining accomplishments and new skills in the workplace that will build your resume. Seek out leadership experiences and ways to add breadth/depth to your skills and knowledge between now and the time you apply to business school. You need to demonstrate that you have progressed in your career over the tenure of your experience, not just maintained the same position for a length of time.

Regards,
Lisa
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