Profile evaluation please

[manueldesoto]

Hi ;
I´d appreciate if you could evaluate my profile
Country: Spain
Age: 32 (33 next fall)
GMAT 730 (Q49, V41) AWA 5,5. TOEFL: Next 25th September
GPA: I do not know exactly how the marks from my country translate, but checking around looks like it should be around 3
Work exp: 6 years in a Forbes 100 Technological and consumer goods corporation
7 different positions, 3 promotions and 3 lateral movements. I worked in sales for 2 years and then moved to marketing, were I still work
Current position, since Oct last year I´m Business manager with 2 direct reports and 5 functional ones and full responsability over the P&L of the business. I belong to the Management Team of the country organization and my current supervisor is the General Manager. Lots of interaction with central HQ.
During these years I have become completely used to work and interact with top executives of my company (To the level of the Global CEO) Extraordinary learning experience.
Also important, since 2 years ago I belong to the talent pool of my company, basically I have been identified with the leadership capabilities to grow to top management positions
Ex-Work: During University I collaborated every holiday season (Summer and Easter) with a local boy scout group in their camps (I supported logistics, supply and kitchen)
I practised Rugby for 8 years, both in University and in a club. Captain of the University team the last 2 years
Since I joined my actual company I belong to the voluntary club where we run activities for several NGO
Why MBA: After 6 very fruitful years, I consider that the moment for a change and refreshing has come. I want to look at the world and my life from a different perspective than the actual one, and learn from the experience. I have always valued very much the capability to adapt to changes and an MBA will help in that sense.
Area of interest: Marketing and General Management (With a late drift towards the latter)
Target Schools:
Safer Schools (Maybe not so safe...) Ross, Duke, McCombs, Darden
Stretch Schools: Kellog, Tuck, Harvard

I recognize some CON´s in my profile, I´m older than avge, GPA is low (but I think GMAT covers this), ex-work could be better and I cannot ask my current manager for a recommendation letter, but I can do to my former supervisor (3 years working together) On the other hand work I think work exp and talent pool recognition help me.
Do you think my choices and assesments are right?
Thanks very much in advance

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi Manueldesoto,

Thanks for your post. You have done a nice job of evaluating your profile. You have what appears to be a solid career trajectory to date with a lot of exposure to different areas within the organization. Your GMAT score is right on target with those at the programs on your list. However, you are correct in that your GPA may indeed be a bit low (but your GMAT will help compensate), and you do have more experience/are older than the average applicant to the schools on your list.

In order to put together successful applications, you should focus on developing your goals. In particular you don't want the adcom to question the timing of your MBA and wonder why you didn't seek it several years ago. The more detailed you are around your goals, the experience you bring to the table and the need for an MBA to complete your toolkit, the better you will position yourself for success.

Lastly, round 1 deadlines are right around the corner. I strongly advise you to try to apply to at least 1-2 schools on your list in round 1.

Regards,

Stacey