Haxx19,

Thanks for requesting a profile evaluation from Stratus Prep. I am happy to help.

Overall, I think that you are very, very well-positioned for success at a top 5 (and I think top 3 MBA program).

Your numbers will make you strong at every top MBA program. You definitely do not (and I believe should not) waste time retaking the GMAT. You have already scored 730 and over the 80th percentile on the Quant. Getting a 750 would not make any meaningful impact on your application status especially when you have a 3.76 from a top 25 university.

Remember that by far the most important aspects of your applications to very top business schools (like Harvard/Stanford/Wharton) are your personal story, essays, recommendations, and professional successes. My colleagues and I at Stratus Prep have had numerous students admitted to HBS, Stanford, and Wharton with far less going for them on paper than you have.

In terms of recommendations, I would not worry about the job titles of your recommenders but rather their ability to speak to your demonstrated leadership abilities using specific examples from your work with them. If any of them have top tier MBAs, encourage them to mention that. For the top 3 schools, it is more important that your recommenders really demonstrate how you shine and that your potential is incredibly high when compared with others from similar backgrounds.

I would not worry that you have not gone to/worked at a blue chip firm. Especially at Harvard (and to an extent Wharton) having experience at a mid-sized or entrepreneurial firm can be a huge asset especially if you play it correctly. As you may know, it has actually gotten tougher to get into HBS from the traditional blue chip firms like Goldman/McKinsey (applicants to from such firms actually need to work a lot harder on positioning than they used to).

Regarding your story, I would definitely focus on your personal story growing up in an impoverished home as the son of first generation immigrants as well as your entrepreneurial experience. I would not overly focus on your business undergrad (which can actually work against you) or your sales experience (which is not as heavily valued by AdComs as I might like). I do think you need to do a better job articulating why an MBA given your short term goals. If you can't convince the AdComs that you actually NEED a MBA to be able to continue in your career you will not be successful.

In terms of your school list, I think that Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, and Haas are strong choices. But in terms of other schools, I would only include UCLA and USC if you are really committed to remaining in the LA area since I think that you would be better off at other healthcare focused schools such as Columbia and Tuck that also have a stronger overall reputations. As an HBS admissions expert (and an HBS grad), I would also strong encourage you to apply to HBS. I think that you could be VERY competitive there especially with proper positioning.

If you would like to explore how Stratus Prep can help best position you for success in the MBA Admissions process (I think we could really help you slide into a very top program) please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or via private message on BTG.

Best of luck,
Shawn