Reapplication strategy?

[howell]

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!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear howell,

-Are 2 courses (statistics and calculus) enough to prove quantitative ability to an admissions committee?Should I consider a third such as accounting?
2 courses are probably enough, but if you want to take a third, then I would suggest another math course like college algebra or finite math rather than an accounting course.

-Will an increase in extracurriculars I am interested in just months before submitting an application come across as too transparent?
Perhaps. If you have already been involved with the organizations and are simply taking on a leadership role, then it will be a positive. If you have nothing and then join 2-3 things this month, then it will probably seem a little transparent. However, it is probably better to have something to write about than nothing.

-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?
A language course for your own development is fine, but it will not necessarily strengthen your application for business school. If you believe it will help you in your future career search, then it might help with your application in the sense that your goals are more reachable.

-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?
The only reason to wait is if you think you will gain some professional experience that will strengthen your background for your future career aspirations. Otherwise, you should apply this fall in the first round if you are ready to go to business school now.

-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"?
You will not be seen as an "old dog" per se, but you are on the higher end of the experience range for a full-time program. I think it is best to explicitly address why you want to do the full-time program in your essays. In your case, you are looking to make a career change where an internship and the MBA will help facilitate the transition. I also think you should try to establish a relationship with someone in the admissions offices at your target schools so you will be more than a "paper application", and more of a person, when the admissions committees evaluate your application.

Good luck,
Lisa