Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by tschuma » Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:46 pm
Hi looking for some advice: Looking to do a MBA focused on social entrepreneurship or possibly doing a joint degree Masters of Public Policy/MBA:
Focusing mostly on LA/NYC schools:
UCLA (1st choice)
USC
NYU
Columbia (2nd choice)
Yale


Background:

-Have 3+ years experience at Investment Manager/Hedge Fund in NYC: working as desk analyst in Fixed Income (left winter ’08)
-Currently (6months) at a technology startup in the revenue strategy department in LA (started in summer ’08)

3.75 GPA Econ degree (4.00 GPA in econ classes) from UofMaryland (transferred from Tulane my soph. year with 2.9 GPA)

Spent 2+ months in Africa volunteering for a nonprofit microfinance between my job transition

660 GMAT (don't remember breakdown, but quant was higher than verbal)

Looking to apply R12009. Given the likely influx in applications next fall, do you think it is imperative I raise my GMAT score to 700+? I plan on retaking test but just curious my chances with my current score? Does have an less popular career goal -- social entrepreneurship/nonprofit help my chances to stand out? Should I be looking applying to "safety" schools or does my profile have a good chance at these schools?

Thank you.
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by Cindy Tokumitsu » Thu Jan 15, 2009 7:52 pm
Hello,

The current GMAT score is low for those schools, but how much of an issue it is will vary with the schools. I think admission will be tough with the current score.

The curriculum area and career goal are somewhat differentiating, but not hugely. A lot of applicants cite interest in social entrepreneurship, and you should have a background in that area through volunteering if not work for that goal to have credibility.

I do think the programs you mention are reaches, though (to varying degrees) reasonable reaches. It would be a good idea to apply to more schools, including some that are slightly less competitive.

Cindy Tokumitsu
Senior Editor, Accepted.com
www.Accepted.com