Another profile evaluation

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Another profile evaluation

by jjsd509 » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:46 pm
Stacy - I'm just getting going with my GMAT studying and want to know what threshold I need to target (680, 700, 710+) to be admitted to one of my targeted programs.

Summary profile is as follows... (sorry for the book!)

Personal: 24 (plan on applying for fall’09 – so will be 26 going to school), Caucasian, male.

Academic – dual concentration: Financial Management, Accounting; minor: Psychology. Major GPA: 3.5, overall GPA: 3.2 (my weak point). Weak grades on the transcript relate to freshmen/sophomore year and non-quant courses.

Extracurricular (while in school, to help mitigate low gpa) – Worked 3 jobs to put myself through college (debt free) including a position as a Resident Assistant (“RA”), multiple clubs, volunteer work, intramural sports, ran an eBay business, etc.

ProfessionalPast: Spent 1 year working in corporate finance with a large public utility in the Controller’s Organization (6months SEC reporting group, 6months budget/forecasting group). Current position: cash-flow underwriting in a leveraged finance group that caters exclusively to middle market private equity. (full credit underwritings – company/industry write-ups, extensive financial (LBO) modeling, ~60-70hrs/week). I’ve been at my current role for 1 year now and am up for a promotion to Associate in January (about a year ahead of all my Analyst peers). Considering transferring to our London office to get international experience, but that’s not guaranteed.

Recs – Bosses love me. No issue with getting solid recs from co-workers/bosses that have top tier academic/professional backgrounds.

Essays – Although it’s hard to tell from the above, I feel very confident in my creative writing abilities and don’t have any concerns with the essays.

My biggest concern is that I am setting my goal a bit too high. I’d only like to attend a top 15 program (NYU, Columbia, Duke, Darden, Ross, Anderson), but don’t want the embarrassment of my bosses writing me recs to then get dinged by everyone. In your professional opinion, what are my odds and with what GMAT will I be competitive?
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by Amy » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:36 pm
Hi jjsd509,

As you've probably noticed from reading other posts, odds are difficult to give. I would say that it seems like you have solid work experience and I'm not as worried about your GPA, given the GPA in your major and that you did well in quant classes. A strong GMAT will mitigate concerns about your academics I would think.

It definitely depends on your essays, GMAT, and extracurriculars post-college (do you have any?) - but I think you should be able to aim for the top 15.

Of course you want to aim for the highest GMAT score you can get, a 700 or higher would be great for you, though I doubt a 680 will be a deal breaker.

Good luck!

Amy
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by jjsd509 » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:20 pm
Amy,

Thanks for your response. I have been involved with “extracurriculars” post-grad… the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) program, sponsored through KPMG last tax season. I’m also currently a member of the Habitat for Humanity – San Francisco. Those are both pretty generic/popular programs though. Do you recommend involvement in any specific organizations that stand-out on applications?

As far as my comment on international work experience. Do you think putting in for a transfer to my company’s London office will make a large difference on my application?

Other things I’d like to add to my original profile outline…

Post-MBA professional goals: use my LBO/M&A experience in a Strategy/Planning group with a very active (pursing numerous strategic acquisitions) company - no specific industry focus yet.

Certifications: After I take the GMAT (probably December, to give myself enough study-time), my boss wants me to go through the CFA program. Will this certification help my application, even if I’ve only completed 2 of the 3 levels by the time applications are due? I’m also eligible to sit for the CPA.

Schools: Rather than being broad with “top 15” as I originally asked. Please let me know if you think Stern, Kellogg and/or Fuqua are stretching it a bit with my profile.

Thanks again!

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by Amy » Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:27 am
Hi jjsd509,

I think with a solid GMAT and strong essays you can aim for Fuqua, Stern and Kellogg.

It's good to have extracurricular involvement at all, though the more leadership opportunity you've had outside of work the better.

It's probably worthwhile to think of an industry that seems interesting to you and you can speak to an interest in for the applications.

I think additional professional certifications are always a plus, so if you are already doing them, definitely worth continuing. As for international experience, I wouldn't make the decision purely for the application, but it seems like a great opportunity regardless.

Good luck!

Amy
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by jjsd509 » Thu Jul 24, 2008 11:59 am
I have a quick question... I am the original poster to this thread. I took the GMAT a while back, but was initially not going to apply to school for another couple of years (just wanted to get it out of the way). Work has slowed down dramatically for me and I'm now considering applying to Columbia for the early decision round.

My question: I ended up getting a 690 on the GMAT. I want to know if that, combined with my 3.2 gpa in undergrad, is going to be a hurdle too difficult to overcome in the this years admissions process? I know Columbia is already extremely competitive - even more so with the larger applicant pool that comes with a recessionary market.

I won't be offended if you think it's out of my league. Thanks in advance!

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by Lisa Anderson » Thu Jul 24, 2008 3:33 pm
Dear jjsd509,

You are not out of range for Columbia. However since your GMAT is below their average, the rest of your application must push you to the "admit" stack. I think it is worth applying with your current numbers if you believe you can put together a strong overall package. You seem to have good work experience. I also think it will be important for to find a way to positively distinguish yourself in the applicant pool. Lastly, be sure to attend any events where a Columbia representative will be in your area and maybe try to get to New York for a campus visit.

Predictions are that applications will go up but I'm not convinced that will happen yet. Time will tell.

Best of luck,
Lisa
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