Stretch Schools? Profile Evaluation Please!

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Stretch Schools? Profile Evaluation Please!

by Kacy » Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:09 pm
I am in the process of beginning applications (a bit behind). I know I need to be realistic in the number of schools I apply to given time constraints, the need to ask for recommendations, etc. However, I'm concerned that due to my low quant score on the GMAT (Overall-700- Quant: 43/64th percentile and Verbal: 42/95th percentile) and lack of math/business background (I took one stats class in college and econ at a local community college but no other business or math classes) I am focusing on schools that may not be realistic.
I have worked for a nonprofit for the past three years and am currently overseeing development and strategy. Prior to that I was a teacher through Teach for America. I am on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit as well. However, my direct business experience is limited to real estate- I manage a couple apartments in a small building and as a Starting Bloc Fellow. My future plans are to continue to work in nonprofits and hopefully start my own nonprofit after I complete my MBA. The schools I am currently hoping to apply to are: Berkeley, Stanford, Yale, Kellogg and Columbia. My GMAT however is on the low end of the range at any of these programs to begin with and my application lacks quant skills in general. Should I widen my scope of schools?
Thanks so much!
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by Jon@Admissionado » Wed Sep 05, 2012 2:14 am
Good question!
Widening the scope of your school sis really a personal matter. Meaning: Would you be happy to go to toher schools if you would get in? Would you be happier to get into School X than to get in nowhere? These things should all be taken into consideration.

That having been said, with your Teach for America plus Starting Bloc stuff you are definitely not your run-of-the-mill candidate, and schools really like non-profit people who are REALLY non-profit people. So, to your school list above, you probably have some pretty good chances (would need to know more about you to say things with more precision). That having been said, it surely can't hurt to add another safety school or two, can it? (Only a little more writing work for you). I'd look at programs that may be a bit less prestigious, but which have great non-profit programs, like Ross, Mendoza, Johnson.

If you haven't yet discovered it, one website I love for non-profit folks is: https://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/rankings/index.cfm
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