In the middle of the road, how to process next?

[orpheus]

**sorry if I double post, thank you***

Please help me to evaluate my profile and suggest if those school selection are best for me.

Here are my stats:

Gmat 1: Feb 2012 --->540 (Q: 40, V 22, W: 4.5)
Gmat 2: Ja 2013----->640 (Q: 45, V 34, I:6, W 5)
Gmat 3: Oct 2013---->610 (Q: 47, V: 28)

GPA: 3.26 Major accounting at a regional Midwest school

Yrs of exp: 4 years by 2014 (1 year in the US and 3 year abroad), found a charity,work in a start up company, start up my own accessorize shop (break even starting in the third month but it's a very small project, not sure if it is worth mentioning. Cons side: no brand name company and limited international exposure

Interested in MBA Marketing

Geographic wanted: NC, CA, TX or as close to those states as possible

School Choice: UNC (#1 choice- a reach since it has always been my target school), Loyola CA (strong regional network), Peperdine CA (strong regional network). U of Houston (strong regional network).


Other facts: international student. I applied R3 last year and was offered scholarship to a 80th rank school (ranking according to usguide). Can it be useful this year to negotiate the scholarship, if possible??

I plan to go ahead and apply round 1 for those above schools. After that, I can retake the Gmat (if necessary) around late December. Is it a reasonable plan? Would the decrease in GMAT score affect my application? Is there any other school I should consider? Do I need to write an optional essay? (I honestly dont't understand that myself so I am not sure at the moment how to explain this) This year is a last year and I can't wait any longer.

Please advise!

Thank you so much and have a wonderful day!!!

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

The decrease in GMAT score will not affect your application as the school will look at the highest score. As long as you tactfully negotiate scholarships that is fine as the school will not rescind on the money offered and you could possibly be successful.

An optional essay is used for many things, one of which is to show quantitative proficiency when you do not score strongly in the quantitative portion of the GMAT. So if you can show quantitative proficiency in your academics or professional experience you might do so here. Also, the optional essay is used as a vehicle to convey other relevant aspects of your candidacy but I wouldn't know what has not been conveyed in the other parts of your application to comment on this.

As for other schools, I would suggest you look for all regional schools ranked between 20-50 overall as a starting point.

Good luck,