Please Evaluate!!! :)

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Please Evaluate!!! :)

by ajkelley » Wed Jul 04, 2012 8:58 am
Hello,

Thanks in advance for any advice. Here is my profile:

I have recently graduated from undergrad (mid tier UC) and have a full time job starting in mid July in LA. I am shooting for top business school programs (M7) but I realize that may be a stretch so I would be willing to settle for a top 15 school, but I think it's better to shoot for the top regardless of realistic placement.

Here's my profile:
Education

"¢ Middle tier University of California (think UCSB, UCD, UCI, UCSD)

"¢ Started undergrad in Chemical Engineering, lacked interest, received scattered bad grades, failed a couple classes, then switched to a business economics equivalent major and got a 3.86 major GPA. Very strong uptrend obviously, Cumulative GPA = 3.2. Also should mention that I graduated 4 years and 2 quarters because of the late switch.

"¢ Studied abroad at London School of Economics, got a 4.0 GPA in 2 finance classes

"¢ Also was vice president of the school finance club, and active in another investment club, active in student government (finance council)

Work

"¢ I am going to start full time in investment manager research. Decent firm hires mainly from USC, UCLA.

"¢ Also pursing the CFA (recently took level 1, plan to finish program) and possibly the CAIA
Background/Story

"¢ 1st generation American on mom's side-mother emigrated from north western Europe. Parents got divorced young at a young age. Went to public schools in a poor central valley town... Discovered my passion for education in college... etc

Building the application

I plan to score high on the GMAT-- I am confident that I get a great score with a lot of studying.

I plan to build an alternate transcript emphasizing stats and math.

Also plan to be active in a group outside of work like toastmasters

Given those plans can anyone suggest anything that would really strengthen my application?

It seems that application is weak in leadership and volunteering but I am not sure what I should do about that. Another mba consultant mentioned that I should start playing a sport, not sure if that would help... Any thoughts?

Thank you
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by Deena@ClearAdmit » Fri Jul 06, 2012 10:42 am
Hi AJKelley and thanks for your post!

Your academic profile from what you've posted looks solid, and of course, I think it's great that you are focusing on your GMAT and trying to obtain a score in the 700s. I do have a few thoughts about your profile. First of all, I'm assuming that you graduated this year. If that's correct then you absolutely want to gain some important work experience before you apply to top programs. I would suggest that you keep in mind ways in which you can develop your leadership experience at work. How can you take on extra initiative, how can you problem solve, how can you 'think outside the box'. These skills will be valuable not only in your job, but also in the business school admissions process and beyond!
Also, in terms your extra-curricular question, I would advise that you think about what activities you have enjoyed in the past the most. For example, student government? Or any other hobbies or interests you haven't mentioned? It is great to show dedication to one type of activity throughout time, so that you can demonstrate your interest, so you should try to get involved now in something you feel strongly about, so that you can commit to it and develop leadership in this way as well.

Of course, free to contact us at info@clearadmit for a more detailed free intitial assessment of your profile.

Best,

deena
Deena Maerowitz
MBA Admissions Expert
Clear Admit