Please evaluate: U.S. M/Wh/26/3.7 GPA/690 GMAT

[Jarron11]

Please evaluate my chances. Also, prefer to only apply to 4 schools so suggestions on the list below are welcome. Looking for strong Private Equity network. Concerned about Q44. Thanks.

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Eth: Caucasian

Nationality: USA

GPA: 3.7 BBA Finance from top 30 U.S. private university (3.9 GPA in business major)

GMAT: 690 (Q44, 40V)

Extracurriculars: undergrad - very involved in University advancement (admissions office, campus tours, donor relations, etc.) and significant leadership roles in fraternity community and greater campus community
Post-undergrad - remained active with undergraduate university (Chairman of class fundraising committee, volunteer in leadership program for undergrads, speaker at undergraduate business school, mentor undergraduate business student, interview applicants for undergraduate business school admissions, etc.); tutor at after-school program for at-risk teenagers; ran marathon raising money for cancer research

Work Exp: 5 yrs (Banking, Private Equity - promoted once)

Reason for MBA: reached plateau in developing hard skills (particularly strategy and ops), to learn about new industries (and how Private Equity investments are structured in those industries), expand my professional network, professional re-branding, limited career advancement opportunities with current employer

Recommendations: (2) from former supervisors and mentors

Post-MBA: middle-market Private Equity (in different industry sector; generalist vs. sector specific now), possibly lead a firm one day

Applying: 2010 Round 2

Schools:
Chicago Booth (#1)
Kellogg (#2)
Columbia
Fuqua
McCombs (prefer a school outside of Texas)
Darden

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi Jarron,

Thanks for your post. Please see my comments below:

Please evaluate my chances. Also, prefer to only apply to 4 schools so suggestions on the list below are welcome. Looking for strong Private Equity network. Concerned about Q44. Thanks.

Age: 26

Gender: Male

Eth: Caucasian

Nationality: USA

GPA: 3.7 BBA Finance from top 30 U.S. private university (3.9 GPA in business major)

GMAT: 690 (Q44, 40V)

Extracurriculars: undergrad â€" very involved in University advancement (admissions office, campus tours, donor relations, etc.) and significant leadership roles in fraternity community and greater campus community
Post-undergrad â€" remained active with undergraduate university (Chairman of class fundraising committee, volunteer in leadership program for undergrads, speaker at undergraduate business school, mentor undergraduate business student, interview applicants for undergraduate business school admissions, etc.); tutor at after-school program for at-risk teenagers; ran marathon raising money for cancer research

Work Exp: 5 yrs (Banking, Private Equity - promoted once)

Reason for MBA: reached plateau in developing hard skills (particularly strategy and ops), to learn about new industries (and how Private Equity investments are structured in those industries), expand my professional network, professional re-branding, limited career advancement opportunities with current employer

Recommendations: (2) from former supervisors and mentors

Post-MBA: middle-market Private Equity (in different industry sector; generalist vs. sector specific now), possibly lead a firm one day

Your work experience to date appears to be quite solid. I know you have concerns about your quant score on the GMAT, given the quantitative nature of your job, this should help balance things out a bit and quell any concerns the adcom may have. Additionally, your 3.9 GPA and degree in finance will help alleviate concerns about your quantitative ability. I would suggest that you highlight the your quantitative skills on your resume as they pertain to your job.

Your post MBA goals are logical. You'll want to be sure to further flesh out your long term goal as it is generally a good idea to have specific short term and long term goals.

Lastly, your extracurricular activities will certainly help your application stand out in the pool. I suggest that you look for ways to utilize some of these activities as topics for your essays.

Applying: 2010 Round 2

Schools:
Chicago Booth (#1)
Kellogg (#2)
Columbia
Fuqua
McCombs (prefer a school outside of Texas)
Darden

You've compiled a solid list of schools complete with reaches and target programs. In general I recommend applying to a mix of both, so if you are applying to 4 schools total you should consider 2 reaches and 2 targets and/or safety programs. If PE is your goal, all of these programs will serve you rather well, with the obvious first choice being Chicago Booth.

Feel free to send your resume to [email protected] if you'd like additional details on your profile and potential programs to consider.

Best,

Stacey

[Jarron11]

Stacey,
Thanks very much for the feedback. Do you have any suggestions for moving the "reaches" (presumably Booth and Kellogg) into the "target" category (i.e. retaking the GMAT)? Would say a 720 GMAT make a significant difference in my overall app? As you've noted, I feel like the rest of my app is fairly compelling and I will try to differentiate with extracurriculars/school involvement. I'm really set on Booth and Kellogg. Again, thanks for your feedback.

Jarron11

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi Jarron,

Retaking the GMAT and improving your quant and overall score is a great way to move schools like Booth from reach to target. Given the short amount of time between now and Round 2, do you think you will be able to study and complete solid applications on time?

Best,

Stacey

[Jarron11]

Stacey,
Thanks again. I agree that the deadlines are fast approaching. However, I have been working on my essays (and the rest of the apps) for a few months now with most of the essay "heavy-lifting" on my #1, #2 schools complete. Also, I've already invested several months studying for the GMAT and think with a few more weeks of review I would be prepared to retake. Assuming this wouldn't take away from my app/essay prep, do you think there is any downside to retaking (i.e. what if I don't score higher than 690?)? I really appreciate the feedback, Stacey.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Jarron

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi Jarron,

Ultimately only you can decide whether or not you should retake the GMAT. If you feel like you may lower you score then you may not wish to take it again. On the other hand, should you decide not to take it, you need to be comfortable with that decision. You don't want to be in a situation where you are second guessing yourself and wishing you had taken it. I'm sorry I can't make this decision for you.

Best of luck!

Stacey