Unique Profile Evaluation

[rossmoss]

Hi Stacy,

I am new to this forum but wanted to get your take on my profile. The reason that I say that it's "unique" is because of my age (23, but will be 24 when I apply) and work experience (Federal government). Here are my vitals:

I am 23 years old and looking into both part-time and full time programs

I want to focus on renewable/alternative energy marketing and entrepreneurship

GMAT: 650 (V44, Q 35, AWA 6)

GPA: 3.82 / 4.0 in International Studies (top 10 program) from American University (Tier 1) in Washington D.C.

Work experience: 2 years in the Federal Government working on energy and environment issues and working directly for a Presidential political appointee in a Federal agency. I am currently working as an energy and environment fellow for a U.S. Senator (I work directly with the Senator himself and his Legislative Assistant). At my time with the federal agency, I was given a $10,000 promotion each year, and awarded the Superior Achievement Award by the presidential appointee that I worked for.

Service and Extra curricular activities: member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity in college, where I served as social networking chair and philanthropy chair (organized various charity events, including our involvement in the DC adopt a school program where we did landscaping for the school). Also a member of AU's Eco sense chapter, where we helped bring environmental awareness to the school and was instrumental in building our new International Service LEED Gold building.
I also work with a non-profit organization where I tutor underprivileged elementary school students from South East D.C.

Looking into the following schools:

Dream School: Cornell (Full Time)

Other top schools: NYU Stern (both part and full time), Chicago Booth (both part and full time)

Other schools I am looking in to:

UMD Smith
Loyola University Chicago
Univ. of Michigan - Ross
Ohio State - Fisher
Case Western Reserve - Weatherhead
George Washington University
Georgetown University

Any suggestions as to where to focus, any schools I should look into that I have not, and if I have a shot of getting into Stern, Cornell and Booth would be most appreciated!!!

Thanks!

[Eliot]

Rossmoss,

Thanks for your note. As a younger applicant, the adcom will place a bit more emphasis on your academics. They will also want to see that you have accomplished a lot in 2 years and that you are ready for an MBA now.

Your work experiences does seem interesting. You clearly have an important job working on energy and environmental issues as a Legislative Assistant for a US Senator. Based on your raises, it seems that you have had a big impact. Of course, I would be curious to know what you accomplished on the job to merit these raises and your award.

I am also pleased that your career goals (alternative energy/marketing and entrepreneurship) continues with this energy/environment theme.

You also have some nice leadership experience in your activities - you served as leader of your college fraternity social networking and philanthropy initiatives and you were active in your college Eco sense organization. I am also pleased that you are currently tutoring under privileged kids.

While your 3.8 college gpa is quite strong, I am a bit worried about your 650 GMAT. To increase your admissions chances at NYU, Chicago, Ross and Cornell, I encourage you to retake the test and aim for a 700+ score. While I don't think that you will be competitive at Chicago, NYU and Ross full time programs if you apply with a 650 score, you might still be competitive at Cornell, NYU part time, UMD, Fisher, GW and Georgetown.

I would be happy to schedule a free initial phone consultation with you if you would like to discuss more details about your candidacy.

Sincerely,

Eliot Ingram
Clear Admit LLC