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profile evaluation please

Launched April 26, 2006
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by vpg0405 » Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:52 pm
I am requesting a profile evaluation to see if I have a chance at the following schools for admittance in Fall 2010:

NYU, UVA, UNC, DUKE, UF, UT-Austin, EMORY, Indiana University, UMich, Cornell Real Estate Program (2 year masters)

GMAT, Age:
Male, 26 at entry

Education:
Bachelors of Science in Management from Purdue University, minors in Finance, Econ and HR. Graduated in 2006
GPA: 3.39 / 4.0

GMAT:
-I took the exam during the summer of my junior year, 2005, and scored a 570.
-Took it again May 2009 and got a 530.
-Re-took in July 2009 and got a 680! I am extremely happy to get this as on my practice exams I was scoring 600s consistently. I am sure that I can't break 7 hundred based on the consistency of my practice test scores.

Work experience:
-> Month 0 - month 18: Hired into a highly selective 18 month credit training program at a Top US Bank. Graduated from program, now considered "credit trained" due to formal credit program.
-> Month 19 - month 28: After program was promoted to an AVP, Approval Officer working to approve loans to small business. Worked with CEOs, CFOs, etc to establish small business lending solutions.
-> Month 29 - month 40: horizontal move to Real Estate and Lodging group at the same bank. I wanted to work on larger, corporate loans to corporate clients; therefore, I started as a 2nd year analyst due to my previous work experience at the Bank and was promoted to a 3rd year analyst recently.
Job function: underwrite (analyze) the ability of a large corporate or private real estate lodging firm to pay back bank issued debt

Extra Activities:
-Young Risk Management Association 2007 - current: (this was in 2 different cities therefore I have only taken part as a member and participated in group events when available)
-Cultural Leadership Network at current Bank: Helped facilitate the start of a new organization, which has grown from 8 members to 200+. My position is on the core team as a Director of Community Outreach.
-Cultural Indian Organization: as a member only... help set up events, attend them, etc

Recommendations:
-college finance professor
-supervisor while in training program

Other questions:
-Does it look bad that I took the GMAT 3 times? Especially bombing it the 2nd time with a 530?
-A lot of school post average criteria of admitted students.. If you fall within the average or within a middle 80% range, is there a good chance of getting in?
-Do some schools require you go get a letter of recommendation from a “current” manager? I pretty much will not be able to ask a current manager due to job security reasons ie holding back promotions/raises because the manager might know I plan to attend a school soon….


Thank you in advance.
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Source: — Ask Stacy Blackman |

by Lisa Anderson » Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:15 pm
Dear vpg0405,

Overall, I would say you have a good foundation for a competitive application at your target schools. It will be important to submit well-written essays and good recommendations, as well as have great interviews. With regards to your other questions:

-Does it look bad that I took the GMAT 3 times? Especially bombing it the 2nd time with a 530?
No, it is not a negative that you took the test three times. Schools use your highest score in your evaluation.

-A lot of school post average criteria of admitted students.. If you fall within the average or within a middle 80% range, is there a good chance of getting in?
Perhaps, but there are no guarantees. Being at or above the average puts you in the best competitive position and being in the mid-80% range will give you a chance at a seat. As stated above, the other components to the application like the essays, recommendations and interview are critical to the ultimate decision and will be viewed equally with the GMAT and GPA.

-Do some schools require you go get a letter of recommendation from a “current” manager? I pretty much will not be able to ask a current manager due to job security reasons ie holding back promotions/raises because the manager might know I plan to attend a school soon….
Most schools prefer that you have a recommendation from your current supervisor and will expect you to disclose why you do not. It is certainly a legitimate reason if you feel your job is at risk. However, it would be best to get a peer or trusted colleague at the company in lieu of the current supervisor if possible.

Good luck,
Lisa
Lisa Anderson
Consultant
Stacy Blackman Consulting

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