Profile Evaluation

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Profile Evaluation

by mrgregcpt » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:13 am
I am a 25 year old white male determined to get into a top US business school. Please help me!!

Academic History:
Undergraduate degree in Politics and History from Top 25 US university
GPA of 3.42 out of 4.0
GMAT: 710 (Q46, V42)

Work Experience:
I am very non-traditional in my opinion. I spent the first two years after undergrad working as a full-time, commission-only personal trainer. I was then offered a position managing trainers at a new club which I did for 9 months, before accepting a general management position at another new health club, where I currently work.

I know this is not the type of work b-school adcoms usually see in applicants, but I feel my professional growth (in a short time)can speak for itself. Additionally, I have taken Financial Accounting and Statistics at a renowned university to make up for lack of quantitative experience on my resume. I have also spent a lot of time forming a specific goal for my post-MBA career, targeting program management at hospitals and corporate wellness facilities.

As far as extracurricular experience, I am an avid marathoner (completed 7) and regular fundraiser for a national non for profit. I have a wealth of travel experience to draw on as well and am trying to work that into my essays.

What do you think? Am I competitive as a "unique" candidate, or just a dreamer trying to hang with the heavyweights in finance and consulting? Right now I am considering the following schools, based on 1)strength of network/recruiting 2)location 3)program offerings

Any help in evaluating my candidacy would be much appreciated. Thanks!
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by mrgregcpt » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:18 am
Forgot to add the schools! They are: Columbia, Cornell (Johnson), Kellogg, Darden, UNC (Kenan-Flagler), Yale SOM. All 2-year, full-time MBA.

Thanks!

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by Stacey Oyler » Wed Jul 13, 2011 1:15 pm
Hi,

Thanks for your post. I'm glad to see that you are considering your MBA. Adcoms generally like to see non-traditional candidates and many have gained admission to top programs.

In your case the key for successful applications is to try to fit in. While your story and career path are unique, you do want to prove that you have concrete/achievable goals and that you will be successful in the classroom and in your post MBA career. Your GMAT score along with your alternate transcript go a long way to demonstrate your potential for academic success.

As for your school selection, you have a nice mix of reaches and targets - you certainly can position yourself to be competitive at these programs. Be sure to try your best to visit campus - at the very least to visit the schools closest to you geographically. You'll also want to research clubs and activities that you would plan to join and be sure to include this information in your essays.

Regards,

Stacey
Sign up for my MBA admissions course, featuring me and other Clear Admit experts, by visiting: https://www.udemy.com/business-school

Stacey Oyler
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215.568.2590

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