Please evaluate!

[cubbies88]

Hello --

I was hoping you could evaluate my chances for a top tier school.....

Undergrad info: 3.86 GPA, B.S. Finance/B.A. Oboe Performance/Spanish Minor, Butler University

GMAT info: 660 (42Q, 40V)...plan to take it again before applying.

Employer info: 2 years at Merrill Lynch as a credit underwriter, promoted from Junior Credit Analyst to Credit Analyst. Have supported portfolios of loans worth $600 million +, and have originated relationships totaling $50 million + since October 2007.

Extracurriculars: President of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Associate Board, Co-Chair of main event for Northwestern Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Board, advisor at Northwestern chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

Awards (from college): Dean's List (every semester), Alpha Lambda Delta (honors fraternity), C. McGaughey Leadership Award in Business, Donald Pike Scholarship for Business, Sigma Delta Pi (National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society), Phi Delta Iota (National Foreign Language Honors Society)

Other Interesting Topics: Completed thesis "A Comparison of Business Students and Music Students on the Basis of Nonverbal Behavior".

I'd like to go to a top tier school if possible, so please let me know what advice you have.

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear cubbies88,

I think you have the foundation for a strong application to a top tier program. Schools will be interested in your music background, career progression, and community leadership. Depending on how strong your essays, recommendations and interview are, I think you will have many options for business school. Even if you do not increase your GMAT, I think you should present the best application possible to any MBA program you determine is a good match for you and your goals. Your 660 is high enough that you will be in the mid-80% range for most programs. Finally, you will want to visit your target schools and attend any events in the Chicago area to establish a personal connection.

Best of luck,
Lisa