Richard Ivey School of Business Application Review

[andrewbest]

I am considering applying to Richard Ivey for 2013.
My Profile is as follows:

McGill Undergrad in English & Economics - GPA: 3.1 (last two years Avg. GPA 3.3)
Four and a half Years work Experience
- 1 year at major bank investment advising
- 1 year in education as corporate trainer
- 2.5 years real estate in Shanghai(currently Marketing Director with extended mngt. experience)
GMAT: 650 Quant: 39 Verbal: 40
Passed CFA Level 1 in Dec. 2011
Fluent in Mandarin - HSK Level 4

Would very much appreciate any feedback about this application.

Cheers.

[Stacey Oyler]

Hi,

Thanks for your post. You have a great mix of business experience that will indeed serve you well in admissions process. Your international experience combined with the varying roles will also likely provide you with some great essay topics which should help you stand out in the applicant pool. I think you can be competitive for admission at Ivey.

While your GMAT score is right on par with the school's average, it's important to note that your score won't hurt you, but it also won't help you. Academically your profile is average and as such you'll want to be sure to compensate for this by highlighting your professional experience as well as other more personal aspects of your candidacy. Solid essays will be key for your success.

Best,

Stacey

[andrewbest]

Hi Stacey,

Thanks a lot for your reply. I am definitely putting an emphasis on my essays in an attempt to highlight my diverse business experience.

I have also signed up to take the GMAT again in June and will hopefully bring the score up to a level where I would be competitive at other MBA programs such as INSEAD and Columbia.

Cheers,

AB

[Stacey Oyler]

Sounds like a great plan. Best of luck!

Stacey

[MaxK]

Hi Stacey,

I was wondering if you could evaluate my profile for Ivey 2014 - early decision round. Thank you!

GMAT: 780
GPA: 3.6/4.0 (B.E. Computer Science from BITS-Pilani (India))
Passed CFA L1 in 2012.

Close to 3 years of work ex at time of 2014 admission at Epic Systems Corp (US Healthcare IT giant) in US - I got recruited for US position directly from undergrad.

Taught underprivileged children in India during college for 2 years (self-created course content), currently working with a fundraising NPO in US.

Cheers!