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Evaluate candidacy

by bananabellie » Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:16 pm
Hi Stacy,
I want to go to Columbia, NYU, or Wharton. I'm not sure if my candidacy is good enough for the schools mentioned. Should i apply to lower-ranked schools or retake the GMAT?

GMAT 670 (q. 39, v. 42)
GPA 3.4 (UCLA, economics)
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Thailand
Analyst for a real estate investment and management firm
Tutored a business development class at a local high school
Social co-chair at local tutorial organization

Thanks!
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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Dec 03, 2009 11:41 am
Dear bananabellie,

I think you should do both--unless you are trying to submit applications by second round deadlines (in the next few weeks) which means you do not have time to retake the GMAT. You have an outside chance with your current profile with a strong, compelling application. I do think your quant score on the GMAT is a little low, so it will depend on how well you did in quant coursework in college and what you do on the job. Since these three schools are all top 10/11 schools, they are basically reach schools for everyone. As such, it is always good to have at least 1-2 reasonable/safety schools on your list for a backup plan. You have plenty of options in the northeast if that is where you want to be geographically.

Good luck,
Lisa
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by bananabellie » Thu Dec 03, 2009 2:37 pm
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for your response. I do plan to apply before the R2 deadline so I'm not sure if I can take the test again this month. I did do a lot of quant courses in college and received B's and above. As for my current position, I deal mainly with returns. Should i address these factors in the optional essays or are my transcript and resume sufficient?

Thank you,
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by Lisa Anderson » Fri Dec 04, 2009 5:38 pm
I do not feel your GMAT and GPA warrant writing the optional essay. However, you need to decide for yourself if you think you need to write the essay. Give it some thought and go with your instinct.

Good luck,
Lisa
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Stacy Blackman Consulting

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