I am hoping to apply to some of the top 15 schools. However, I am aware that there are some weak points in my application and I would like some help prioritizing them.
Here are the essentials:
GMAT: Q44 V41 - 700 90th Percentile (1 attempt, should I retake?)
Overall GPA: 3.30 (However, my GPA has an upward curve from freshman year to senior)
Major GPA: 3.85 (Business Administration - Operations and Information Management, Minor - Economics)
Full-Time Experience: At the time of application, 2 years as a Business Intelligence Analyst. However, it is a quite demanding job with a lot of exposure to different verticals.
Recommendations: I have strong recommendations from several professors and both of my bosses (Previous and Current).
Extra: I was active during my undergrad career and founded an Information Systems club at the University of Colorado, which is quite successful now. I also worked closely with professors in helping shape the program and helping to recruit new students to the major. As such, I have strong ties to the professors that I am hoping will help during the admissions process in terms of recommendations and etc.
I should also mention that I used to be in a remedial English class in 5th grade because I was an ESL student. So, the fact that I have now scored in the 93 percentile is something that makes me very proud considering what my starting point was.
My weak links, in my opinion, are these (in descending order):
1) GMAT - My score is unbalanced and a little below the median for the top schools. Should I retake the exam? Does a marginal increase in my score make me a better candidate if I do so? For example, is there a major difference between a Q47 score (what I scored on my practice tests consistently) and a Q44 score of what I have now?
2) Experience - Most schools have an average of 7 years + it seems. I can't help this other than by waiting a few more years.
3) My Overall GPA - It is not exactly great at 3.3 . However, my GPA increased every semester after my 1st semester at college. So, it is on an upward trend.
Does anyone have any input on where I should focus my efforts? Should I retake the GMAT?
Thanks!
Here are the essentials:
GMAT: Q44 V41 - 700 90th Percentile (1 attempt, should I retake?)
Overall GPA: 3.30 (However, my GPA has an upward curve from freshman year to senior)
Major GPA: 3.85 (Business Administration - Operations and Information Management, Minor - Economics)
Full-Time Experience: At the time of application, 2 years as a Business Intelligence Analyst. However, it is a quite demanding job with a lot of exposure to different verticals.
Recommendations: I have strong recommendations from several professors and both of my bosses (Previous and Current).
Extra: I was active during my undergrad career and founded an Information Systems club at the University of Colorado, which is quite successful now. I also worked closely with professors in helping shape the program and helping to recruit new students to the major. As such, I have strong ties to the professors that I am hoping will help during the admissions process in terms of recommendations and etc.
I should also mention that I used to be in a remedial English class in 5th grade because I was an ESL student. So, the fact that I have now scored in the 93 percentile is something that makes me very proud considering what my starting point was.
My weak links, in my opinion, are these (in descending order):
1) GMAT - My score is unbalanced and a little below the median for the top schools. Should I retake the exam? Does a marginal increase in my score make me a better candidate if I do so? For example, is there a major difference between a Q47 score (what I scored on my practice tests consistently) and a Q44 score of what I have now?
2) Experience - Most schools have an average of 7 years + it seems. I can't help this other than by waiting a few more years.
3) My Overall GPA - It is not exactly great at 3.3 . However, my GPA increased every semester after my 1st semester at college. So, it is on an upward trend.
Does anyone have any input on where I should focus my efforts? Should I retake the GMAT?
Thanks!
