Please Evaluate

Launched September 22, 2008
This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Dec 28, 2009 11:46 am

Please Evaluate

by gamaitec » Mon Dec 28, 2009 12:09 pm
Please evaluate my profile. Thank you.

GMAT: 710 Q44 (70%) V42 (95%) [I did not study hard for the test. Should I re-take and attempt to get in the 750 range?]

Undergrad GPA: 3.0 from State School in Mathematical Finance with minors in math and economics. The split in my undergrad record is pretty significant with C and Bs in advanced mathematics courses and B+ to As in Finance/Business classes.

Work Experience:

Started career with a MAJOR financial institution in the controller's group. I was promoted within the first 6 months and received an internal rating designated for the top 5% of the company. After 1 year at this position, I was hired at a mid-tier investment bank in the equity research group.

Specifically, I covered specialty finance and banks & thrifts. I was ranked as the number 2 associate in the company even though I was the youngest associate and one of the few without an MBA.

After 1.5 years in that position, I was lured away to start a business for a well-known entrepreneur. He has started two publicly traded companies ($500M+ market cap) and currently owns a very large media business. Our business was tailored to providing political research for institutional investors. I was the 2nd employee and drove the majority of the revenue in the first year. Unfortunately, there were compensation disagreements with management and employees and none of the original employees are with the firm.

I returned to the first company and perform mostly corporate strategy functions with high interaction with government agencies. Currently, I am a Senior Financial Analyst and have once again received the highest rating in the company.

Recommendations
-My boss (managing director) at the investment bank
-A senior vice president at my current company

Extracuricular
-College
Inter-fraternity Council President
Inter-fraternity Council Treasurer
Fraternity Man of the Year (award given by the administration to the individual who most exemplified academics, leadership, and ethics)
Fraternity Treasurer
Fraternity Ritual Chair

-Post College
Founded an Investment Club and act as CIO
Active in both the Republican Party and the Libertarian Party
Campaign for certain candidates


My academics are notably weak. Since college, I have outperformed almost every other individual at my level in every job. I think the significant advancement as well as my extracuricular activities should help to highlight my leadership potential.

What do you think are my potential schools?

Below is my list:

HBS (a reach obviously)
Wharton (a reach, but since I have very strong experience and recommendations in the Finance community it should be less of a reach)
Tuck
Johnson (Cornell)
Anderson (UCLA)
Darden (UVA)
Fuqua (Duke)
USC (safety)
Georgetown (safety)
Source: — Ask Clear Admit |

User avatar
MBA Admissions Consultant
Posts: 900
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:49 am
Location: San Francisco, CA
Thanked: 106 times
Followed by:81 members

by Stacey Oyler » Tue Dec 29, 2009 3:00 pm
Hi Gamaitec,

Thanks for your post. Your profile seems quite solid. It's great that you've had several diverse experiences in the workforce. I agree that your GMAT could indeed be perceived as a weak area. I would recommend retaking, especially if you feel with a little studying you can get a 750+. Most applicants coming from financial backgrounds applying to top 10 programs tend to have 730+ GMAT scores. However, if you are planning to apply in round 2 you simply won't have the time.

I think you've compiled a sound list of programs. It's great that you recognize the need to balance reach and safety programs. You'll certainly want to be thoughtful in the selection of your essay topics in order to highlight your leadership and team skills both in and out of the office.

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] should you wish to receive a free detailed assessment.

Best,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.