So... I'm debating retaking the GMAT. I took it about a year ago and scored 690 (80%+ in each subject). I was a bit disappointed not to break the 700 threshold, but at the same time started to get fairly busy with work and didn't have time to recommit to taking it again. Now that I'm looking at applying to school, I'm thinking that 690 may not be high enough.
Summary application:
Work - banking (debt market; leveraged finance supporting private equity buyouts); a couple promotions; ranked in the top of my class; deals to talk about; will have 5 years of experience when entering; high salary (if that factors in - what I'd be giving up).
Recs - will have solid recs from VP and managing director I work for. Both have top tier professional/academic backgrounds.
Extracurricular - 2-6hr/week commitment at an animal shelter for the past year and a half. Have done habitat days. Have done volunteer tax preparation programs.
Leadership - was a resident assistant (RA) in undergrad. Helped start a student run property management team for a large student housing property during undergrad. Unfortunately, I won't have any analysts supporting me until September (I work in a satellite office).
Essays - Feel fairly confident with these, but we'll see (may hire a consultant to review).
GPA - A weak spot. 3.2 overall (not top-tier school), dual concentration in financial management and accounting, minor in psychology. But I was working 2-3 jobs to put myself through.
Why MBA - career change out of banking to (i) short term go into strategy consulting and (ii) long term get into lower-middle market PE focusing on the consumer products space.
Personal - white, male, 25.
Target schools: Columbia (early decision), Kellogg, Stern
Thanks in advance!
Summary application:
Work - banking (debt market; leveraged finance supporting private equity buyouts); a couple promotions; ranked in the top of my class; deals to talk about; will have 5 years of experience when entering; high salary (if that factors in - what I'd be giving up).
Recs - will have solid recs from VP and managing director I work for. Both have top tier professional/academic backgrounds.
Extracurricular - 2-6hr/week commitment at an animal shelter for the past year and a half. Have done habitat days. Have done volunteer tax preparation programs.
Leadership - was a resident assistant (RA) in undergrad. Helped start a student run property management team for a large student housing property during undergrad. Unfortunately, I won't have any analysts supporting me until September (I work in a satellite office).
Essays - Feel fairly confident with these, but we'll see (may hire a consultant to review).
GPA - A weak spot. 3.2 overall (not top-tier school), dual concentration in financial management and accounting, minor in psychology. But I was working 2-3 jobs to put myself through.
Why MBA - career change out of banking to (i) short term go into strategy consulting and (ii) long term get into lower-middle market PE focusing on the consumer products space.
Personal - white, male, 25.
Target schools: Columbia (early decision), Kellogg, Stern
Thanks in advance!
