Ask Stacy Blackman

Hope to matriculate Fall '13 but may wait until Fall'14. I will be either 26.5 with 4yrs FT or 27.5 with 5yrs FT work experience. Is there an advantage to waiting?

GMAT - taken twice thus far. Currently sitting at 620 with a 41V/34Q.

Education - 3.1 GPA in Political Science/minor econ from top 20 USNEWS. Strong upward trend in GPA, started with a 2.6 finished with a 3.6.

WE - 4yrs at only DOW30 insurance company as an underwriter. Hired into selective development program. Promoted four times during tenure. Handle a $13m book of commerical property & casualty business, largest in hiring class. Responsible for P&L as well as revenue growth goals. Mentor and train colleagues. Customers vary from small business to F100 (eg. McKesson, PGE, SBUX). Exposure to senior management of cusotmers.

XC - (1) Chairman of regional alumni group, handle all accepted student recptions, coordinate college fairs, perform alumni interviews. (2) Director at local non-profit which provides after school literacy programs to underpriveleged youth. (3) Director of company sponsored community action committee. Lead employee engagement in community. Negotiated $10,000 grant for local non-profit. Committed, long term involvment with this organization. I mentor students twice per month and help with HW assignments and college counseling.

Goal - Ultimate goal is senior leadership at global insurance carrier or broker. Not many MBAs in the industry and I feel it would be a competitive advantage. POST MBA would like to work for MBB in insurance vertical OR equity research in insurance sector OR IB associate in FIG.

strengths - leadership, goals, knowledge of my industry.

weaknesses - quant, GMAT, GPA. How can I improve upon these? I plan to take GMAT one more time before 06/05 change.

Targets - Tuck ED (attended bridge, family in Hanover, love the town), Kellogg, Fuqua, Darden, Anderson.