Hi,
I am a MBA hopeful and would like some advice on my profile and whether or not I should even bother paying application fees.
Profile:
1) 29 year old Male - Dual citizen (Lived primarily in the US). Speak two languages fluently (English, Arabic).
2) Education: Small SUNY state school BS in Business w/ a disappointing 3.31 (Good trend if that means anything).
3) GMAT: 730 (49, 41), IR - 7/8.
4) Experience (Chronologically starting after college): One year as a proprietary trader. Less than one year international SWF experience as an investment analyst. Two and a half years as a proprietary trader. Three years-Present, during which I would consider myself self-employed, as a part time (2.5 years with same firm) "consultant", part time tutor (around a year), part time (about to finish one year) small business owner (online sales - Only around 50K revenue in year 1).
5) Extracurriculars/Interests: I passed all three levels of the CFA Program. I am learning software development, albeit slowly. Local basketball leagues. Limited volunteer work.
6) Recommendations: Although my application has weaknesses, I would consider this area my weakest. My consulting job is an online/home based software job with no direct contact to supervisors/other employees. The position has high turnover and continuation in the program is dependent on monthly evaluations of work. Regardless of whether or not I can get a recommendation from this position, the recommendation seems somewhat worthless in my opinion. Other traditional sources of a recommendation are limited/non-existent.
I am currently beginning to expand my business internationally, however I also have strong interest in working on a startup with a strong team or possibly working with a consulting firm. If an MBA is feasible, I would press the brakes a little on my business, and pursue a MBA in a technology or finance based program.
Based on this somewhat limited snapshot of my application/profile, what are your thoughts? Top 5 are certainly way out of reach. What about 10-20 ranked schools? Are 5-10 ranked schools impossible?
Let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your time. Thanks so much.
I am a MBA hopeful and would like some advice on my profile and whether or not I should even bother paying application fees.
Profile:
1) 29 year old Male - Dual citizen (Lived primarily in the US). Speak two languages fluently (English, Arabic).
2) Education: Small SUNY state school BS in Business w/ a disappointing 3.31 (Good trend if that means anything).
3) GMAT: 730 (49, 41), IR - 7/8.
4) Experience (Chronologically starting after college): One year as a proprietary trader. Less than one year international SWF experience as an investment analyst. Two and a half years as a proprietary trader. Three years-Present, during which I would consider myself self-employed, as a part time (2.5 years with same firm) "consultant", part time tutor (around a year), part time (about to finish one year) small business owner (online sales - Only around 50K revenue in year 1).
5) Extracurriculars/Interests: I passed all three levels of the CFA Program. I am learning software development, albeit slowly. Local basketball leagues. Limited volunteer work.
6) Recommendations: Although my application has weaknesses, I would consider this area my weakest. My consulting job is an online/home based software job with no direct contact to supervisors/other employees. The position has high turnover and continuation in the program is dependent on monthly evaluations of work. Regardless of whether or not I can get a recommendation from this position, the recommendation seems somewhat worthless in my opinion. Other traditional sources of a recommendation are limited/non-existent.
I am currently beginning to expand my business internationally, however I also have strong interest in working on a startup with a strong team or possibly working with a consulting firm. If an MBA is feasible, I would press the brakes a little on my business, and pursue a MBA in a technology or finance based program.
Based on this somewhat limited snapshot of my application/profile, what are your thoughts? Top 5 are certainly way out of reach. What about 10-20 ranked schools? Are 5-10 ranked schools impossible?
Let me know your thoughts. I appreciate your time. Thanks so much.
