Hi Stacy,
Know you get a lot of requests to assess candidates, but I was hoping you might help here as well.
My situation is this: After getting dinged at all four schools I applied to last year (one interview), I am gearing up for the reapplication process.
I am aiming for a top 10 or so program, but school choices aside, I am attempting to shore up some of my weak spots e.g. taking two quant courses to compensate for low undergrad GPA and liberal arts background, as well as attempting to take on some leadership roles in my extracurricular activities.
Other relevant information about myself: 34, male, currently work as a financial journalist covering banking at major media outlet, career goal: want to translate my current position following the financial services industry into a consultant for that same industry, more specifically advising firms on government policy...
GMAT: 720 (Q:75% V: 97%)
Undergrad (Top 20 school) GPA: 2.7
(1st) Masters (in Journalism) GPA: 3.3
That being said I had couple quick questions.
-Are 2 courses (statistics and calculus) enough to prove quantitative ability to an admissions committee?Should I consider a third such as accounting?
-Will an increase in extracurriculars I am interested in just months before submitting an application come across as too transparent?
-Are there any other little things I could do in the coming months to improve my candidacy? Taking a language course if it fits with my career goal? Networking with people that currently work in the field where I am aiming for?
-With the coming application season shaping up to be just as competitive as last year, would it be foolish to wait yet another year to reapply given my age?
-And finally is there any way to prevent the adcom from thinking that I am one of those "old dogs" that can't learn "new tricks"?
Apologies for rambling on here, but if you can address any (or all) my questions, it would be a huge help.
Thanks!
Know you get a lot of requests to assess candidates, but I was hoping you might help here as well.
My situation is this: After getting dinged at all four schools I applied to last year (one interview), I am gearing up for the reapplication process.
I am aiming for a top 10 or so program, but school choices aside, I am attempting to shore up some of my weak spots e.g. taking two quant courses to compensate for low undergrad GPA and liberal arts background, as well as attempting to take on some leadership roles in my extracurricular activities.
Other relevant information about myself: 34, male, currently work as a financial journalist covering banking at major media outlet, career goal: want to translate my current position following the financial services industry into a consultant for that same industry, more specifically advising firms on government policy...
GMAT: 720 (Q:75% V: 97%)
Undergrad (Top 20 school) GPA: 2.7
(1st) Masters (in Journalism) GPA: 3.3
That being said I had couple quick questions.
-Are 2 courses (statistics and calculus) enough to prove quantitative ability to an admissions committee?Should I consider a third such as accounting?
-Will an increase in extracurriculars I am interested in just months before submitting an application come across as too transparent?
-Are there any other little things I could do in the coming months to improve my candidacy? Taking a language course if it fits with my career goal? Networking with people that currently work in the field where I am aiming for?
-With the coming application season shaping up to be just as competitive as last year, would it be foolish to wait yet another year to reapply given my age?
-And finally is there any way to prevent the adcom from thinking that I am one of those "old dogs" that can't learn "new tricks"?
Apologies for rambling on here, but if you can address any (or all) my questions, it would be a huge help.
Thanks!
