Profile Evaluation Request, 740 GMAT, 3.15 GPA

[amars16]

Hi, appreciate your help in evaluating my profile in advance.

I am applying to Booth, Stern, Wharton, and Columbia with the following credentials:

GMAT : 740 Q48V42
GPA : 3.15/4.00, University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, BA Finance (my major gpa was lower than overall)
3.88/4.00, University of Chicago, Financial Decision Making Certificate (Pre-MBA course)

Work experience: 3 years as a fixed income trader, currently unemployed for 3 months.

Have good leadership and volunteer experience.

I basically wanted to know if I stand a good chance at these schools given my undergrad gpa and current employment situation. I chose to take classes at the University of Chicago while unemployed to continue to develop my resume and to strengthen my lackluster GPA. Should I address these two things in the optional essay, or would it look like I was just looking for excuses? Also, are there better schools that I stand a chance at? Was looking to attend an MBA program with a strong finance reputation. Thanks once again, look forward to your reply.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear amars16,

I think you have a chance at your target schools with a stellar application package. I agree that your certificate course will help mitigate your college GPA some, and shows you are not just "sitting around." However, you do need to convey you have a plan for employment/career development between now and fall 2012--even if you are currently looking, you need to communicate that is what you are doing. Nevertheless, I also encourage you to expand your target list beyond the top tier. There are some strong finance programs outside the top 10 (and even the top 20), which will enable you to meet your goals. You want to have a mix of programs to give yourself the greatest probability of admission.

Good luck,
Lisa