Please evaluate my profile!

[jamied]

Please evaluate my profile. I'm planning on applying for R1 if at all possible!

Personal
- Female, Canadian, 27 at matriculation

GMAT & Education
- Took GMAT last November, scored 690, with low quant (Q42 - 61%; V42 - 95%), 6.0 AWA
- Psychology undergrad top Canadian University, dean's list (80% average, probably aout 3.2 GPA?), exchange program in Scotland
- Above average on statistics courses, all electives business-focused

Experience
- Will have almost 5 years experience upon matriculation
- Two marketing-type contracts out of school, then landed at current company (Marketing research and advisory company helping enterprise marketers target small business space)
- Aug 2008-April 2010: Senior Analyst on Research Team (quant/qual research, building presentations, data analysis, redeveloped research product). Promoted from Analyst within 6 months.
- Left company for 6 months to pursue Market Research, did not like, offered higher position at previous company and returned.
- October 2010 - present: Associate Director, Account Management (manage 75+ client accounts, present content, hold workshops, plan/recruit for executive roundtable meetings, consistently exceed revenue goals of renewals of client agreemeents by upselling, etc)

Extra-curricular
- 1996-current: Minimally involved in progress club, participating in events for individuals with mental disabilities (swim meets, special olympics, etc)
- March 2011-current: not-for-profit consulting experience, helping rehabilitation not-for-profit better market/brand
- Co-captain of co-ed floor hockey team for past two years
- Extensive travel

MBA Goals
- Continue B2B marketing, but as brand manager (not on consulting side)
- Want to work in organization that creatively/successfully targets small business (e.g. American Express) - industry less important
- Long term goals: partner with product developer to build business with new products targeting small business
- During MBA, want both marketing experience and to build on strategic/operational skills to successfully manage my brand/business in the future

Thinking of applying to Kellogg, Cornell, Columbia. I prefer cities, collaborative culture, hands-on learning.

What are my chances at these schools, and are there any others you can suggest that align with my goals?

Thank you!

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. Given the information you've shared it appears you have a solid career trajectory to date. This is great as your depth of experience will likely lend to some interesting essay topics.

The main weakness in your profile are your academics. Your GMAT score and GPA are below the average at the schools on your list. While this isn't necessarily a deal breaker, it does mean that you will have to find ways to prove to the adcom that you can handle the rigorous quantitative curriculum. I'm glad to see that you performed well in your quant courses in undergrad as this certainly will help demonstrate your competency. If you don't want to consider retaking the GMAT, perhaps you can enroll in some courses such as accounting to boost your academic profile.

While you may very well be competitive for admission at the programs on your list, it will require you to select unique topics and write compelling essays as well as demonstrate your ability to handle the curriculum. You may wish to broaden you list to include other schools such as UCLA and USC.

Best,

Stacey