Another Profile Evaluation...

[RWYUCSB]

Hi Stacey -

Sorry to bother you with yet another profile evaluation but I'm looking for some profound words of wisdom and, judging by your previous responses in this forum, you're the person to turn to.

Here is a quick snapshot of my profile:

General Information
"¢Male
"¢27yrs old

Education/Testing
"¢680 GMAT (1st attempt) - 39 Verbal (87th percentile), 44 Quantitative (69th percentile)

"¢B.A. in Social Science from top 50 school
"¢3.35 GPA (3.8) last two years
"¢Highest quant course - Statistics (received an A)

Work Experience
"¢6 years full-time experience
"¢2.5 years @ major public university (current position), Title - senior analyst, Function - information systems

"¢3.5 years @ environmental consulting company, Title - project manager


I feel like I have some pretty unique work experience and my ultimate career goal (addressed in my essays) is to get my MBA and return to the realm of higher education with a new business-oriented perspective...a goal, I feel, will separate me from other applicants. With that said, I am trying to determine whether I would be considered a competitive candidate at a top-tier program. I realize that my quant score on the GMAT is a little low and I do not have very many traditional math courses on my transcript; but does this eliminate me from consideration at a top program (ranked 1-15)? My current position requires me to utilize and demonstrate my quantitative and analytical skills on a daily basis - a point I can also emphasize in my admission essays -but will this compensate for a lack of quantitative coursework on my transcript?

Thank you very much for your help. Any advice/words of wisdom you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. Please see my comments below:

I feel like I have some pretty unique work experience and my ultimate career goal (addressed in my essays) is to get my MBA and return to the realm of higher education with a new business-oriented perspective…a goal, I feel, will separate me from other applicants.

Yes, this certainly is a unique goal, just be sure to be specific, what exactly do you wish to do upon your return to higher education? It's best to be specific and name a role and/or function. Also, what will you do long term? Stay in higher ed?

With that said, I am trying to determine whether I would be considered a competitive candidate at a top-tier program. I realize that my quant score on the GMAT is a little low and I do not have very many traditional math courses on my transcript; but does this eliminate me from consideration at a top program (ranked 1-15)? My current position requires me to utilize and demonstrate my quantitative and analytical skills on a daily basis - a point I can also emphasize in my admission essays -but will this compensate for a lack of quantitative coursework on my transcript?

Yes, your quant is a little low. Most adcoms are looking for a nice even split of at least 80% on both quant and verbal. Given stats was the highest you went in math, you may want to explore a few options. 1. Leave it as it is and write an optional essay pointing out the quant components of your job. 2. Take some additional courses and build an alternate transcripts. These courses will demonstrate to the adcom that you are determined to master quant and can even give you a leg up in preparing for a heavily quantitative first year curriculum or finally, option 3. Retake the GMAT.

I hope this helps!

Best,

Stacey