Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by clpprsfn42 » Sun Jul 11, 2010 12:33 am
Hi,

I'd appreciate it if I could get some advice on my chances of getting into b-schools.

Basics
26 yr old asian-american male (at matriculation)

Undergrad
Top 50 University
3.0 overall GPA / 3.1 major GPA
Major: Economics / Minor: Management

GMAT
1x: 670 85% (Q42 62% / V40 89% / AWA 5.0)
2x: 640 75% (Q37 49% / V40 89% / AWA 5.5)

I am concerned that my score went down the second time, and that my Quant score is below average both times. However, my track record in undergrad math classes isn't too bad: all A's and B's. I don't plan on taking the GMAT again b/c I don't think it will go up anymore and I'd rather focus on the apps now.

Work Experience
4 years FT at matriculation

2007-2008 - Management Trainee Program for a Retail Bank

I was recruited for a 1 year training program for a retail bank. Basically, the plan was to become an assistant manager of a branch within that year. Having no prior bank experience, the trainees were expected to learn all the positions (teller, banker, assistant manager) within the year. I finished the program and was promoted to an assistant manager within roughly 10 months.

2008-present - Assistant Manager

In my current position, I am in charge of basically managing a standalone branch in all aspects. The manager is focused mainly on sales only, so everything else is filtered to the assistant manager. I directly manage the tellers in sales, customer service, and operations. I also have my own individual sales goals to meet as well as ensuring the branch meets its overall goals as well.

Community Service
By far the weakest aspect of my application. I know it's late, but I've been planning to get involved in a couple of nonprofits, so I will hopefully have about 5-6 months involvement.

Currently, all I have is involvement in my local church, teaching students for Junior Achievement day a couple of times, and some involvement in networking activities (Chamber of Commerce) on the side for work.

Target Schools
Reach: Berkeley / Michigan / UCLA / Carnegie Mellon
Competitive: USC / Georgetown / Rochester / Boston U
Safety: Boston College / Univ of Washington / Pepperdine

I will cut out some of these schools, but I'd like to see what my changes are in all of them. I plan on spreading them out between R1 and R2.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks!
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by Stacey Oyler » Wed Jul 14, 2010 1:06 pm
Hi,

Thanks for your post. Overall you seem to have a pretty solid profile. You have a clear upward trajectory at work and solid undergraduate academics. I do have some thoughts around your extracurricular activities and GMAT:

EC's: Be sure that when you do decide to get involved that you choose the right opportunity. Don't pick something that is totally out of left field, this will be viewed by the adcom as a last ditch effort to add to your profile and won't have the positive impact you're hoping for. Be sure the activity you select is something that you are truly passionate about.

GMAT: I know you said you weren't planning to retake it, but I strongly advise you to reconsider. Both your reach and target programs ideally look for a minimum of 70% on the quant section - some of them even want to see 80%. This combined with a score below 700 put your application at great risk for a deny and potentially not even being completely reviewed/read by the adcom. It would be shame to put a lot of time, effort and energy into your applications and essays only to be denied admission due to a low GMAT score. While I'm not sure how you prepared for the exam the last two times you took it, I strongly suggest enrolling in a prep course and retaking it in August or September.

Best,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

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