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Profile Eval

by HealthcareMBA » Tue Jul 20, 2010 6:37 pm
Hello,

Please evaluate the following profile:

I am a 29 year-old female and would like to apply to the following MBA programs:
NYU (definitely)
Columbia (definitely)
Northwestern (definitely)
Duke (maybe)
Wharton (considering)

Undergraduate degree in Nursing from a top 25 school, GPA 3.4. Graduate degree in nurse anesthesia from a top 25 university, GPA 3.9. I have 5.5 years of work experience; 3.5 years as an intensive care nurse, 1 year as a nurse anesthetist, and a brief stint as an administrator at a bank for 1 year. I've worked as a charge nurse and currently train student nurse anesthetist who rotate through my hospital. Held a couple of leadership positions in extracurriculars in college.

My GMAT score is a low, even after a re-take - 640, quant 44(68%), verbal 34(68%). In my first attempt I scored a 610, quant 37 and verbal 36. I took statistics in undergrad and got an A-. Also had statistics built into my research classes in graduate school, which I got an A in. Recently took an accounting class and got a an A (not really a quant class, but the only business course I've ever taken). Considering taking calculus this fall as well.

I should add that I am an avid runner and will have completed 2 marathons (for charity) and a half marathon by the time I apply.

Would like to major in Finance and Healthcare Management. Goal is to get into investment banking in the healthcare sector, and late on business development/VC.

Thank you.
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by Scott@VeritasPrep » Fri Jul 23, 2010 2:47 pm
Hello,

One big question for you: Why do you want an MBA? What do you see yourself doing with it? (Okay, that was two questions...) That will have a lot to do with your school selection and your chances of getting in.

Your GMAT score is definitely low. At Kellogg, for example, a 640 would put you in the bottom 10% of their incoming class. So, you'd definitely have to overcome long odds just on the GMAT front to really be considered. (And I'm willing to bet that the folks who got in with sub-650 scores each had something special about them in their applications.)

So, your first order of business is to get that GMAT score up... I know that's not necessarily what you want to hear since you've already taken it twice, but the third time's always the charm, right??

Scott
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by HealthcareMBA » Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:52 pm
Scott,

Thanks for the reply. The 640 is actually my third attempt. I scored 600, 610, and 640. I think I could maybe improve another 20 points at the most. I'm concerned that taking the test for a fourth time and scoring probably somewhere in the same range will hurt my chances. Will calculus (assuming I get an A) and accounting help me at all?

I want an MBA for a number of reasons. To briefly summarize: I would like more opportunity for growth. There really isn't any opportunity for further upward mobility in my current field. I could become a professor at this point, but I'm not interested in that. I enjoy a challenge, love to learn, and work well under pressure, which is why I went into and have done very well in anesthesia. But my learning curve has peak and I want a new challenge. I'm choosing finance because it has a lot of the same attributes as my current career (fast paced, demanding, working under pressure, analytical, and competitive), except there is room for unlimited growth. I've also considered the consulting route, also in the healthcare sector, and would consider that as a close 2nd choice. In both career paths, my knowledge of the industry would be beneficial.

Duke's 80% range is 620 - 750. Would a 640 still be an obstacle?

Thanks,
Kristen
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by Scott@VeritasPrep » Sat Jul 24, 2010 10:59 am
Hi Kristen,

I wouldn't worry too much about looking like you've taken the GMAT too many times. If I were in your shoes and had to choose between submitting a 640 and submitting a 670 after taking the test four times, I'd definitely choose the latter. There is indeed a point when admissions officers look at all the times you've taken the test and start to wonder, but you're not there yet. I think even Duke will be a long shot with a 640. That doesn't mean "You'd never get in"... Just that you have to go in knowing that you probably have a low chance of being admitted with that score.

Re: your reasons for wanting an MBA, they still seem a little vague. If you're sure you're done with the health care field and want a new challenge, that's perfectly fine, but you'll need to demonstrate more understanding of that field that you want to go into. A more obvious reason for wanting an MBA is to then move into health care management, but of course you should only say that if it's true!

Scott
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