Hey orange,

Based on some recent conversations with MS grads in Philly, I would have to agree with Lisa. MBA programs look at your professional experience as well as your GMAT and essays. I would say that GMAT and essays are tied for second most important.

MS programs, on the other hand, look at your GPA and references for evidence of academic potential. The GMAT is very important if you have lower grades and relatively average academic references. Otherwise, MS programs pay a lot of attention to your essays to understand why you want to get a specialized degree rather than a general business education (MBA, MSBM).

I would suggest that you get a letter from a former professor and former employer/present employer.

Also, really emphasize the connection between an MSF and your post-MSF goals. Make sure that you are as specific as possible. Don't just say that you want to go into investment banking. Instead, tell adcoms that you would like to go into personal wealth management within Goldman, Stanley, Lazard, etc. That, of course, is just an example; I don't know what you want to go into.

If you wish, utilize the optional essay to explain how your GMAT does not do you justice --> point to your academic performance (your GPA is average for MSF, so point out specific classes that had a quant component or classes that required a lot of critical reasoning, such as philosophy), specific tough classes in which you performed above average, tell them about that senior thesis you might have written or a paper you collaborated on with a professor or classmate.

Good luck!