Please Evaluate My Profile & Target Schools - GMAT 690

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Hi All,

I just took the GMAT a few days ago, and wondered if you could provide some insight as to whether I stand a chance at getting into my target schools? I plan to apply to Columbia, NYU Stern and Yale.

If they're too much of a reach at this point, do you suggest I work toward improving my resume? i.e. Take local math and business classes, retake GMAT, etc., for the next year before reapplying.

Please note that my GPA is misleading. I started at Fordham, and, due to personal issues, failed out after 1.5 years. I, subsequently, attended St. John's for 3.5 years. My GPA reflects my time at St. John's.

I appreciate any help. Thanks!
-----

ACADEMIC:
Undergraduate: St. John's University, B.A. in Economics & Asian Studies
Overall GPA: 3.74
Major GPA: 3.86

GMAT: 690 (Q41 V44 W4.0)

WORK:
Mid-size financial firm (4 years): Started as a research and sales associate in the technical research dept; accepted an offer to move into institutional sales trading when the technical research dept was disbanded a year later.
Large financial firm (1 year): Assisted financial advisors in private client services.

LICENSES: Series 3, 7, 55 and 63 licenses; passed CMT Level I exam

MISC:
Extracurricular Activities: Marathon running; snowboarding; scuba diving; softball; volleyball
Volunteer/Charity Work: Tutored HS students during college; volunteered with various NGOs during Summer 2005 in Vietnam; raised $3,000 for charity while running the NYC Marathon 2008; currently volunteering with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and training for marathon for charity next year
Languages: Fluent in Chinese (Mandarin), Proficient in French
Ethnicity: Chinese
Source: — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant |

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by paulsbodine » Thu Nov 18, 2010 2:49 pm
slauknight,

CBS, Stern, and NYU will probably be reaches for you. The GMAT is fine, but I don't see significant leadership at or outside of work, and your profile itself (at least what you shared) is not terribly distinctive. Whether you should wait to apply depends on your age, but if you do I would recommend both retaking the GMAT and pursuing a substantial leadership role at or outside of work.

Hope this helps,
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
[email protected]
(858) 869-1959

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by slauknight » Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:14 am
Thanks for your advice, paulsbodine.

I just registered to retake the GMAT at the end of next month. However, if I were to stick to my original plan to apply for Round 2, I will not have enough time to obtain a substantial leadership role in time.

Assuming that I do better in the GMAT, aiming for mid-700s, will it still be considered a waste of my time to apply to top tier schools at this point or should I give it a ago anyhow?

Additionally, I plan to apply for Stern PT, as I'd prefer to work FT if I can. Does that change my chances of getting in at al?

Lastly, I aced my economics and math classes, but I've read that it helps to create an alternative transcript. Shall I do so anyhow, perhaps taking classes in accounting and some more difficult math classes?

Any and all advice is appreciated!

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by paulsbodine » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:03 am
slauknight,

A higher GMAT score won't change your leadership profile, which from your post, does not seem strong enough for CBS, Stern, and Yale. A higher GMAT would help to offset your GPA, but don't retake the quant courses if you aced them. NYU part-time would certainly be more doable, but the leadership issue would still be an obstacle.

Good luck,
Paul Bodine
Author, "Great Applications for Business School," "Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance," "Perfect Phrases for Letters of Recommendation"
https://www.paulsbodine.com/
[email protected]
(858) 869-1959