Hi All,
I wasn't planning on posting my profile but have recently taken the GMAT and have been contemplating next steps. Therefore, I thought I would give it a try and any feedback is appreciated. I will explain as much as possible below including my dilemma.
Profile
Gender: Male
Nationality: Canadian
Age at Matriculation: 28
Work Experience: Financial Analyst at a top 5 technology company. Will have 3.5 years post grad upon start of program; so far have just under 2 years (not including a 16 month internship between Junior and Senior years). Was promoted after 9 months and given additional responsibility 5 months after that. Am now a lead analyst for 5 business units (usually doesn't happen until 6 years or so of working).
Education: Honors bachelor of commerce (minor in economics) with a 3.0 GPA at a good Canadian school. Low GPA comes mainly from freshman and sophomore years due to lack of dedication and being busy with other endeavors (ie: owned a small window cleaning company and then worked as a supervisor at Starbucks). Achieved a 3.4 GPA in Senior year while working part time and taking 11 courses.
GMAT: 650 (Q: 47, V: 34). Was very disappointed with verbal score. Simply time management on my part. I believe I can get a 700 if taken again.
Language: Fluent in English and French (lived in France for 4 years as a child)
Extra-curricular: Has been lacking as of late, however willing to put in lots of time before application season. Am involved with a charitable foundation at work (2-3 events). During university, was member of a few commerce organizations (no leadership). Took a year off before university and was selected as part of a small team called "Junior Team Canada" to go on a mission trip in order to improve commerce relations with Mexico. Also, helped run a weekly basketball camp in Sweden and 7 small day long basketball camps in Ireland.
Recommendations: If leaving the company, will be able to get a great recommendation from current boss. At this point, not 100% if I can approach any executives unless doing a P/T MBA. Can get another great recommendation from a colleague.
Dilemma: My company is willing to sponsor me if I take a part time MBA through a Business school here in Toronto. It is one of Canada's best business schools and I think I will be able to get in with a score of 650. However, this would mean moving up the ranks in corporate finance which is fine. However, eventually I want to get into general management (and maybe Management Consulting) and think I can achieve this through a F/T MBA at a top European or American school. Also, am married to an American and will likely move to the US someday.
So my big question is this: if I were to re-take the GMAT and achieve a 700, what is my chance of getting into a top 10-15 US school or a top 10 European school. I'm not interested in Harvard, Stanford, etc... I know I won't get in. More interested in Kellogg, Chicago, UCLA, Ross, INSEAD, HEC Paris, LBS, IE, etc... (any other suggestions?)
Just looking for a frank answer. Should I pursue P/T MBA from a school here in Toronto (still top 50 in world), or try to achieve a 700+ score on the GMAT because there is still a chance to get in to top US or European school?
Thanks for all your help in advance and sorry for the length!
I wasn't planning on posting my profile but have recently taken the GMAT and have been contemplating next steps. Therefore, I thought I would give it a try and any feedback is appreciated. I will explain as much as possible below including my dilemma.
Profile
Gender: Male
Nationality: Canadian
Age at Matriculation: 28
Work Experience: Financial Analyst at a top 5 technology company. Will have 3.5 years post grad upon start of program; so far have just under 2 years (not including a 16 month internship between Junior and Senior years). Was promoted after 9 months and given additional responsibility 5 months after that. Am now a lead analyst for 5 business units (usually doesn't happen until 6 years or so of working).
Education: Honors bachelor of commerce (minor in economics) with a 3.0 GPA at a good Canadian school. Low GPA comes mainly from freshman and sophomore years due to lack of dedication and being busy with other endeavors (ie: owned a small window cleaning company and then worked as a supervisor at Starbucks). Achieved a 3.4 GPA in Senior year while working part time and taking 11 courses.
GMAT: 650 (Q: 47, V: 34). Was very disappointed with verbal score. Simply time management on my part. I believe I can get a 700 if taken again.
Language: Fluent in English and French (lived in France for 4 years as a child)
Extra-curricular: Has been lacking as of late, however willing to put in lots of time before application season. Am involved with a charitable foundation at work (2-3 events). During university, was member of a few commerce organizations (no leadership). Took a year off before university and was selected as part of a small team called "Junior Team Canada" to go on a mission trip in order to improve commerce relations with Mexico. Also, helped run a weekly basketball camp in Sweden and 7 small day long basketball camps in Ireland.
Recommendations: If leaving the company, will be able to get a great recommendation from current boss. At this point, not 100% if I can approach any executives unless doing a P/T MBA. Can get another great recommendation from a colleague.
Dilemma: My company is willing to sponsor me if I take a part time MBA through a Business school here in Toronto. It is one of Canada's best business schools and I think I will be able to get in with a score of 650. However, this would mean moving up the ranks in corporate finance which is fine. However, eventually I want to get into general management (and maybe Management Consulting) and think I can achieve this through a F/T MBA at a top European or American school. Also, am married to an American and will likely move to the US someday.
So my big question is this: if I were to re-take the GMAT and achieve a 700, what is my chance of getting into a top 10-15 US school or a top 10 European school. I'm not interested in Harvard, Stanford, etc... I know I won't get in. More interested in Kellogg, Chicago, UCLA, Ross, INSEAD, HEC Paris, LBS, IE, etc... (any other suggestions?)
Just looking for a frank answer. Should I pursue P/T MBA from a school here in Toronto (still top 50 in world), or try to achieve a 700+ score on the GMAT because there is still a chance to get in to top US or European school?
Thanks for all your help in advance and sorry for the length!
