BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Please evaluate profile.

Free advice from the world's top MBA consultants
This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Post Reply
Previous Topic Next Topic
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:48 pm

Please evaluate profile.

by ketnet1 » Tue May 11, 2010 3:44 pm
Hi, Please evaluate my profile. Thank you in advance!

PROFILE: Financial Analyst

Age: 27yrs when apply/Female/Chinese

GMAT (3rd try) - 600(65%ile), Quant- 44(69 %ile), Verbal- 28(47 %lie), AWA- 4.5 (37%ile) [AWA- 5 (56%ile) 2nd time]

Target schools Part-Time: USC, Carnegie Melon, Boston University, Santa Clara University.
(My gmat score is close to the avg for the school's PT programs listed above). Definitely within 80% range.

Academics: Undergrads- Economics B.A.
UC Campus
GPA: 2.707

Work Experience: 3.75 yrs
(1st job/yr in client serving role at one of Big Four firm, 2nd job as Financial Analyst- non-managerial).

Extracurricular/ leadership roles:
-Student adviser for 100+ students, media translator (an international and domestically based non-profit).
-Chapter Vice President for Alumni
-Vice President for Business Frat. (College)

My Questions/ Concerns
1. Is my profile good enough for those school listed above?
2. My main concern is the low gpa- due to taking heavy quant engineering calculus courses in college. In addition, there is one upper div. math unfortunately received a D in. Seems like those schools listed above have at least a 3.0 avg for PT.
What "specific" classes should I take to balance the gpa weakness and is it better to take the class at community college or an UC extention? ( I assume the only way now to make up for the low gpa is to take classes, since nothing can be done about college gpa).
3. Since I'm currently unemployed (3 months), should I try to find a job first to fill the resume gap before I apply this fall? If so, should I find an int'l job to gain more of a unique int'l background?
4. Does it hurt my chances of being competitive if I am unemployed when applying for PT programs?
5. How can I further improve my profile? I would be applying for Round-1 this year
6. I am mainly applying to "part time" because they require a lower GMAT and gpa score. Since PT gmat score is lower than FT's, is PT less competitive than FT? Since I have tried my best in GMAT preparation, I really am aiming for the schools listed above.

Thank you for your input and advice. I greatly appreciate it!!!
Top
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 368
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
Thanked: 30 times
Followed by:13 members

by Linda Abraham » Tue May 11, 2010 9:52 pm
ketnet1 wrote:Hi, Please evaluate my profile. Thank you in advance!

PROFILE: Financial Analyst

Age: 27yrs when apply/Female/Chinese

GMAT (3rd try) - 600(65%ile), Quant- 44(69 %ile), Verbal- 28(47 %lie), AWA- 4.5 (37%ile) [AWA- 5 (56%ile) 2nd time]

Target schools Part-Time: USC, Carnegie Melon, Boston University, Santa Clara University.
(My gmat score is close to the avg for the school's PT programs listed above). Definitely within 80% range.

Academics: Undergrads- Economics B.A.
UC Campus
GPA: 2.707

Work Experience: 3.75 yrs
(1st job/yr in client serving role at one of Big Four firm, 2nd job as Financial Analyst- non-managerial).

Extracurricular/ leadership roles:
-Student adviser for 100+ students, media translator (an international and domestically based non-profit).
-Chapter Vice President for Alumni
-Vice President for Business Frat. (College)

My Questions/ Concerns
1. Is my profile good enough for those school listed above?
2. My main concern is the low gpa- due to taking heavy quant engineering calculus courses in college. In addition, there is one upper div. math unfortunately received a D in. Seems like those schools listed above have at least a 3.0 avg for PT.
What "specific" classes should I take to balance the gpa weakness and is it better to take the class at community college or an UC extention? ( I assume the only way now to make up for the low gpa is to take classes, since nothing can be done about college gpa).
3. Since I'm currently unemployed (3 months), should I try to find a job first to fill the resume gap before I apply this fall? If so, should I find an int'l job to gain more of a unique int'l background?
4. Does it hurt my chances of being competitive if I am unemployed when applying for PT programs?
5. How can I further improve my profile? I would be applying for Round-1 this year
6. I am mainly applying to "part time" because they require a lower GMAT and gpa score. Since PT gmat score is lower than FT's, is PT less competitive than FT? Since I have tried my best in GMAT preparation, I really am aiming for the schools listed above.

Thank you for your input and advice. I greatly appreciate it!!!
You're most welcome, but I don't think you're going to like what I have to say. For your questions:

1. I think all the programs you are aiming for a reach programs for you.
2. Take classes like accounting, economics, statistics for business. You can take at either a community college or extension, but take at the program that is going to be most convenient for you. You really want to earn A's, and if the school is far, it may be difficult for you to attend.
3. It is more important to have a job than to have an international position. For now, just get a job that allows you to assume responsibility and show growth.
4. Yes.
5. Taking classes will help and earning A's will help a lot. Finding a job and applying while employed will also help. I don't think it makes sense to retake the GMAT since you already took it 3 times.
6. Yes, PT is usually less competitive.

You might be interested in "Should You Apply to a Full-Time or Part-Time MBA Program?"

Best,
Linda
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
310.815.9553
Accepted Blog
Accepted on Twitter
Accepted on Facebook
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:48 pm

by ketnet1 » Tue May 11, 2010 11:12 pm
Hi Linda,

Thank you for your honest feedback. I really appreciate it.

I have taken a few accounting classes after college. In addition to that, should I take a Statistics course next month before I apply? (Introduction to Statistics rather than Intermediate, given I have never taken Statistics before); However, with the few C's in calculus and a D in an upper division engineering based math course, I am still concerned and nervous. Please let me know what I can do now to improve my chances of getting into the schools I listed.

I will start finding a job now and hopefully start working before I apply- I have been thinking about changing routes to marketing (consumer products) instead of staying in finance, but I am concerned that this may send the message to adcom that I have an unconvincing and non-credible work history and overall personal essay theme. Please provide your thoughts on whether I should find a job similar to my previous work- Financial Analyst or a job in marketing, which has spike my interest and curiosity, despite not having any experience in this field.

Thanks a lot for your input Linda!
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 368
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
Thanked: 30 times
Followed by:13 members

by Linda Abraham » Wed May 12, 2010 5:22 pm
ketnet1 wrote:Hi Linda,

Thank you for your honest feedback. I really appreciate it.

I have taken a few accounting classes after college. In addition to that, should I take a Statistics course next month before I apply? (Introduction to Statistics rather than Intermediate, given I have never taken Statistics before); However, with the few C's in calculus and a D in an upper division engineering based math course, I am still concerned and nervous. Please let me know what I can do now to improve my chances of getting into the schools I listed.

I will start finding a job now and hopefully start working before I apply- I have been thinking about changing routes to marketing (consumer products) instead of staying in finance, but I am concerned that this may send the message to adcom that I have an unconvincing and non-credible work history and overall personal essay theme. Please provide your thoughts on whether I should find a job similar to my previous work- Financial Analyst or a job in marketing, which has spike my interest and curiosity, despite not having any experience in this field.

Thanks a lot for your input Linda!
If you are unhappy as a financial analyst and find marketing more appealing, then that's the direction in which you should move, and the sooner the better. You will either discover that you want to return to financial analysis or you will find work that you find more satisfying.

An MBA is a means to an end -- a better professional life. Better usually means more lucrative, but it frequently also means more satisfying. Pursuit of an MBA should not compel you to continue down a path you don't want to pursue.

Best,
Linda
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
310.815.9553
Accepted Blog
Accepted on Twitter
Accepted on Facebook
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:48 pm

by ketnet1 » Wed May 12, 2010 6:33 pm
Hi Linda,

Thanks for your reply. You mentioned these PT schools listed are a reach- Can you please provide your reasons why these schools are a reach for me? In addition, please let me know what I can do now to improve my chances of getting into the schools I listed.
Lastly, should I re-take the upper division math class, which I received a D, at a local community college or should I take the Statistics course, which I have never taken before?


Thank you!
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 368
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
Thanked: 30 times
Followed by:13 members

by Linda Abraham » Tue May 18, 2010 12:23 pm
ketnet1 wrote:Hi Linda,

Thanks for your reply. You mentioned these PT schools listed are a reach- Can you please provide your reasons why these schools are a reach for me? In addition, please let me know what I can do now to improve my chances of getting into the schools I listed.
Lastly, should I re-take the upper division math class, which I received a D, at a local community college or should I take the Statistics course, which I have never taken before?


Thank you!
These are stretch programs because your GMAT and grades are below average for these programs and you are currently unemployed. To improve your chances, you need to get a job that provides competitive experience and earn more A's in business-related subjects.

I would retake the math class, provided you are confident you can raise the grade and then take the stats for business class.

Best,
Linda
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
310.815.9553
Accepted Blog
Accepted on Twitter
Accepted on Facebook
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 31
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2009 11:48 pm

by ketnet1 » Sat May 22, 2010 2:53 am
Thanks for the reply Linda. You mentioned my gmat is below the average. I checked the average and range of the "Part Time" gmat score. My score is at the average and well within the 80% range. Please confirm that you were referring to the full time and not part time? Thank you.
Top
User avatar
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 368
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:18 pm
Location: Los Angeles CA
Thanked: 30 times
Followed by:13 members

by Linda Abraham » Mon May 24, 2010 4:44 pm
ketnet1 wrote:Thanks for the reply Linda. You mentioned my gmat is below the average. I checked the average and range of the "Part Time" gmat score. My score is at the average and well within the 80% range. Please confirm that you were referring to the full time and not part time? Thank you.
I'm sorry. You are correct. Your GMAT is in range. I looked at the wrong data.
Linda Abraham
Accepted.com -- Helping You Write Your Best!
310.815.9553
Accepted Blog
Accepted on Twitter
Accepted on Facebook
Top
Post new topic Post Reply
• Page 1 of 1