What do I need for a solid application to a top 10 MBA?

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Hi guys,

First of all, thank you for taking the time to read through this. I recently pulled the trigger and made the decision to go back to school for an MBA and am very excited about the whole process. I just started studying for the GMAT!


Background

28 yr old male, hispanic-american.

I was born in Texas from Mexican parents and lived in Mexico for about 10 years before moving to the US. My family and parents have always been entrepreneurs and business owners, and thankfully have done very well for themselves in Mexico and the US. I studied at the University of Minnesota and majored in Communication Studies. Reason being I was building two businesses (that ultimately failed) at the time and I didn't want a difficult major but wanted the degree. My graduating GPA was a terrible 2.9. I left college very much in debt (businesses went broke). I sold all of the assets, managed to negotiate with suppliers, creditors, employees, etc. and ultimately came through. It took me three years to recover--years that have been some of the most valuable years of my life.

Two years later I got the opportunity to open the market in Mexico for one of the largest US fitness club franchises. I set up the whole operation down here: the company, bank accounts, distribution, importation, main and major suppliers, franchise contracts and disclosures, location brokerage network, hired employees, etc. Here is my track record:


2009-2010. Top international franchise sales recognition.

2010-2013. National Sales Manager. Most franchises sold in the country by any fitness franchise.

Current: Director of operations, Mexico City (largest region in the country). I manage 65 employees (12 managers, 3 regionals, corporate staff), 12 gyms, a PnL of USD 12M and am scheduled to open 10 more in 2014. I see everything from buildouts, HR, Marketing, Imports, licensing, government relationships, large corporate accounts, contracts, etc. I own two gyms, a restaurant, and have set up 5 companies since 2009 (another two went broke).


Here are my questions and my goals:

Both of my brothers are Blue Devils (Duke) and I'd love to join their ranks, either in Fuqua or a comparable program. I want to return to my country (US) and am starting to sell almost everything I've built down here.

I am very worried about my GPA but know that I have good work experience. What do you guys think? What do I need on the GMAT to be competitive? What programs should I look into, realistically?


Thanks in advance for your support and advice
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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Tue Dec 10, 2013 6:49 pm
Congratulations on your decision!!!

As a Hispanic American (an under-represented minority group) with a tremendous sales record, I would say you need only mid-600's for Duke and should be aiming for Top 7 programs. Anecdotally, over the past two years a U.S.-born Mexican client with a low-600 GMAT score was accepted to UCLA and Kellogg (attended Kellogg) and another Hispanic client with a low-600 GMAT score was accepted to Columbia.

I recommend you look at the Diversity page for each of your target schools (so here is Fuqua's - https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/mms-foundatio ... diversity/). Here is their brochure (https://www.fuqua.duke.edu/documents/pro ... ersity.pdf). Also, look to apply within the Consortium (https://www.cgsm.org/member-schools/) for other schools.

Good luck and if you would like to discuss your candidacy further feel free to reach out to me,
Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

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by israelg48 » Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:09 am
Hi Michael,

That is great news! I am aiming for a 700+ score and will take the GMAT for the first time at the end of february. I am planning on applying for early action at the end of 2014, giving me enough time to re take the GMAT if necessary, have a more robust CV and have the time to prepare very solid applications (I will have at least 6 more stores open by then). What do you think?


The Consortium is a great resource, thank you--I hadn't even though about being an under-represented minority.

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by MBAPrepAdvantage » Thu Dec 12, 2013 7:43 am
Sounds great, but as I said you might be competitive for even higher ranked schools, should you wish to attend them over Fuqua.

Good luck on your test!!!!
Michael Cohan
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305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

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by israelg48 » Thu Dec 12, 2013 9:17 pm
Thanks Michael,


I'll report back as soon as I finish the test.


Happy holidays