Military Officer profile - concerns

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Military Officer profile - concerns

by Clevelander61 » Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:55 am
I recently transitioned from the military after serving as an officer in the US Army. I spent the majority of my service overseas in the middle east in both a combat zone and later in a peace keeping mission that put me in a role supervising foreign military in a leadership role. I feel my qualification from the military will be highly attractive to business schools as I have had both large managerial/leadership roles as well as highly technical roles in my time in the Army.

Applying to some quality business schools, but I have a few concerns currently. My GMAT Score is a 660/6.0 AWA and I have a 3.5 GPA from undergraduate studies in Finance. I know my essays will be strong and my resume will detail a coherent story of my past, but I am frustrated currently over recommendation letters. Many of my past supervisors are overseas and reaching them proved to be very difficult and I had to go with some individuals that were not my first choice to write the letters. One of them recently emailed me and told me sent my letters out to the schools and he also emailed me the letter which is pretty mediocre and impersonal. It does not go into great detail which I specifically suggested he do.

How badly will this letter affect my chances to get into a quality program? Does the rest of my profile seem strong?

Target schools right now at: University of Hawaii, Ohio State, University of Virginia, and Thunderbird
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by Tani » Thu Oct 14, 2010 11:19 am
Less than sparkling recommendation letters are far more common than most applicants realize. Unless it reads as a non-endorsement the weak letter will probably simply not add to your attractiveness, rather than detract. If it is not too late, you may want to contact any recommenders who have not sent in their letters with updates on your approach to your applications. Providing useful background is often the best way to manage those recommenders with whom you are not as close and who may not know as many details about your career as would be optimum.

UVA will be your stretch school, but not impossible. Schools like to see the leadership qualities that a successful military career implies. You are very close to the norm for Ohio State, which should serve you well. For both Thunderbird and Hawaii your stats will be appealing in addition to your experience. Your international supervisory experience should particularly appeal to Thunderbird.

The tricky part for ex-military is often identifying career goals since, by definition, you are changing careers. You need to take extra care that you are identifying realistic and relevant goals for which an MBA is key.

With well-written, persuasive essays you should be in good shape.

Good luck,
Tani Wolff