Profile Evaluation

[DavidZM]

Hi! Can somebody please evaluate my profile?

- 26 years old Mexican. Mechanical engineer from a Top 1 private University in Mexico. Graduated with honors, first of my class, GPA 99/100.
- Student leadership diploma, involved in student associations and organized students events
- 3 years of experience in one transnational mexican company (among top 10 national companies) in logistics. Currently Head of Department (4 promotions in 3 years).
- Goals: career change to brand management, marketing or product development
- Openly Gay, planning on create an association to support lgbt teenagers in latinamerican societies
- GMAT 640 (%74), Q45, V33 (I know it is not great), already retook it, firts attempt 550. I strongly want to apply in 1st round to have enough time to look for financial aid. I think retake again is not an option.
- Toefl Ibt 120

I was planning on apply to the USA Top 10 but was dissapointed on my Gmat. Can the "gay profile" help on getting into a Top program because of diversity?

Thanks!

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. You certainly appear to have a solid profile - the one exception being your GMAT score. Compared to applicants with similar work experience your GMAT score falls short - most with engineering backgrounds tend to have scores well above 700. Your academic performance in undergrad will certainly help mitigate concerns the adcom may have about your academic ability, however, I would not be surprised if you were asked (or strongly encouraged) to retake the GMAT.

Since you have decided to apply in round 1, you will want to be sure that the other areas of your profile are strong enough to outweigh your low GMAT score. Solid leadership and team skills are a must as is a balanced list of extracurricular activities.

In regard to your comment about "diversity," while it may help I don't think it will necessarily be enough to change/sway a decision in your favor. Choose your essay topics in such a way that you are able to demonstrate how being openly gay has challenged or shaped you or inspired others. You don't want the adcom to think you are simply trying to work it into your applications for the sake of including this information.

Please feel free to send your resume to [email protected] for a more comprehensive profile evaluation.
Best of luck,

Stacey