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Please evaluate my profile - 690 gmat w/low quant score

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Please evaluate my profile - 690 gmat w/low quant score

by jamied » Tue Nov 16, 2010 1:31 pm
Hello admissions consultants,

I'm hoping to apply for a Canadian or US school to begin Fall 2011. I need some help in determining how strong a candidate I am and would like suggestions of schools to apply to.

Here is a little about me:

- Profile: female Canadian (will be 26 by Fall 2011)
- Work experience: will have roughly 4 years experience by Fall 2011. I've worked in 4 different companies since graduating, with 2 years as an analyst at a small consulting firm/research house that specializes in B2b marketing. Other positions have been in market research and marketing.
- GMAT: 690 (Q42 - 61%ile, V42 - 95%ile) - taken once (have not received AWA scores)
- GPA: Just over 80% - I don't exactly know how these grades translate to GPA. My undergrad degree was in Psychology at a top Canadian school and I took only business electives in my last 2 years.

For Canadian schools, I've decided to apply to UBC (Sauder) and McGill (Desautels) as they offer the length (~2 years) of program I'd like and are located in city centres. I've crossed off other top Canadian schools for several different reasons (e.g. one year programs).

In terms of US schools, I'm very unclear. I'd like to apply to Boston College and maybe a couple others, but I'm not sure where I would get in. I'm looking to specialize in marketing and strategy, and would like to avoid small cities.

My questions are:
- Will my low quant score on the GMAT be a detriment?
- Can you please suggest US schools that would fit my profile? What are the best schools I can get into with a 690?
- I'm not sure how familiar you are with Canadian schools, but are you able to comment on my chances at UBC and McGill?

Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks!
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by paulsbodine » Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:17 pm
jamied,

Your quant score will be a concern, but not a deal-breaker. If you've taken quant courses and did well, you should inform the schools of this. If you haven't, enroll in MBAmath.com today. Similarly, you could talk about (and have your recommenders talk about) the quant work you do at work. That is, offset the quant score with evidence that your quant skills are in fact good. You might also consider retaking the GMAT since scores tend to go up on the second try.

How much leadership you've demonstrated at and outside of work will play a role in how high you aim with your profile. You didn't tell me much about leadership or extracurriculars. Your 'personal story' could also help you if it's distinctive. Given your goals consider the following U.S. schools: Duke, UCLA, Indiana, Emory. You should have no trouble getting into UBC (avg. GMAT 628) and will be competitive at McGill (650). Feel free to send me your CV at [email protected] if you'd like more feedback.

--Paul
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by jamied » Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:00 pm
Hi Paul,

Thanks so much for your reply. In terms of offsetting my quant score, I'm hoping that my undergrad statistics courses and use of statistics in my current job will help. I'd like to retake the GMAT but know it doesn't guarantee me a better quant score (plus I don't think I would have enough time to apply for R2 deadlines). I'd also risk a reduced verbal score as well. In terms of the mbamath website you suggested, is this something students use when they show poor quant scores on the GMAT?

In general, here is my personal story:
- Graduated with distinction from a prominent Canadian university. Also completed my (non-mandatory) thesis in my fourth year which involved planning and executing my own psychological study.
- After graduating, I worked for 6 months in a media planning company. Realized this wasn't what I wanted to do and left to travel Australia and New Zealand.
- Completed a 4 month marketing internship for a building developer who owns several prominent malls.
- Offered a job at my current place of work as a Market Insights Analst. We are a small consulting firm/research house. Promoted to Senior Analyst after 6 months. Worked for almost 2 years, then left to pursue market research.
- Worked in market research for 6 months at a prominent loyalty company. Did not enjoy the rigidity of market research and was offered a better position at my previous employer as Relationship Manager, so returned (I've since been back for one month).

- In terms of extracurriculars, I do a lot of team sports and have a passion for travel (have traveled extensively and did an exchange to Scotland in university).
- Some volunteer work at an organization that helps developmentally challenged individuals

In terms of the US areas I'm looking at, I should have been more specific. I'm mostly interested in attending schools in Boston, Chicago or California. Any additional advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks for your time,
J
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by paulsbodine » Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:23 pm
J,

MBAMath primarily helps accepted MBA applicants get up to speed quantitatively prior to matriculation but because business know about and value it is also one way for applicants to strengthen their quant profile prior to application. That is, MBAMath is a know commodity with business schools. Of course, quant coursework at established schools is also fine.

Your story is interesting/distinctive. I don't see a huge amount of leadership at or outside of work, which may hurt. Consider programs like Babson, Boston C and U, USC, UC Davis, maybe UCLA as a reach school.

Hope this helps,
--Paul
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by jamied » Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:33 pm
Hi Paul,

Thanks again for your evaluation. Just one more question - do you think I stand a chance at Northwestern - Kellogg?

Regards,
J
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by paulsbodine » Thu Nov 18, 2010 6:39 pm
J.,

I think Kellogg would be a 'reach' school, primarily because of your extracurriculars, but if you executed well in your essays (lots of personality) and you have more leadership than you mentioned in your profile, you might have a chance.

I'd be glad to assist you,
--Paul
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
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by jamied » Thu Nov 18, 2010 7:16 pm
Thanks again Paul! I'll email you if I need any additional guidance.
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by jarredpatidar » Thu Jan 19, 2012 2:36 pm
Paul, im in a similar situation, i graduated from mcgill engineering (essentially 5 years of quant courses) but i only managed a 42Q and 41V for 680 overall. I work in an engineering company as an engineer and i have a gpa of 3.14, where do you think i should be aiming 1-10? 10-15? 15-20?
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