non-traditional (cancer research), GMAT 690

[dragon_eyes]

Hi.

I would like to have some input about my profile. I have a couple of concerns listed below. Is my target schools realistic? Is there something I can leverage? What areas can I improve on?

PERSONAL
Age 30
Male
Cambodian-American

EDUCATION/EXAMS
GMAT 690 (Q51,V31, AWA 5.5, IR 6).
GPA 3.25 at a top public IVY (i.e. Berkeley, Michigan, Virginia), BS Chemistry
MS in Chemistry at a a top chemistry grad program.
Advanced Studies in Technology Transfer

WORK EXPERIENCE
- 5 years as a research scientist at the National Cancer Institute. I am a federal contractor who works for the NCI (if it makes a difference.).
- My laboratory does preclinical analysis of advanced cancer-fighting nanotechnologies. My laboratory works with academic laboratories, federal government laboratories, small biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical companies. For that reason, my laboratory is unique.
- a couple of publications
- Attending scientific conferences to solicit new partnerships for my laboratory.
- won awards (one individual, two part of a team).
- some hands-on experience with business development
- mentored college students / high schools, helped them get into graduate school/undergraduate college

EXTRACURRICULAR
- consistent amount of extracurricular activities in college and during my career, but no strong leadership positions in those activities.

GOALS
Short-term goal: join a biotechnology startup or join a business development officer of a biotechnology /pharmaceutical company
Long-term goal: start a consulting firm advising scientist who want to start a company.

TARGET SCHOOL
Berkeley Haas, UCLA Anderson, USC Marshall, Georgetown McDonough, Maryland Smith.
I would like to either remain in Maryland, where I am working currently, or come back to California, where I am from. My interest is in a entrepreneur focused study.

Concerns:
- My last 2 years of my undergraduate GPA is lower than my first 2 years of my undergraduate GPA. I have no Ds or Fs.
- I have a quant-verbal split on my GMAT score. Recently, I have taken writing courses at a community college to improve my communication abilities. In addition I have 3 publications in scientific journals.
- I have no promotions at my current employment, but I had increasing responsibilities. The lack of promotions can be blamed on stagnant federal and NIH budget. Plus, I feel my company does have clear promotion structure. A PhD helps in regards to getting a better job position in my company.

Thanks.

[GeneralEducation]

Hi,

You have decent profile but however I would suggest you to retake GMAT once more to overcome your GPA worries. Focus on your essays with good profile you have fair chances at your shortlisted b-schools. You can also think of applying to entrepreneurial focused schools like Babson college, Tulane University - Freeman.

Regards,
Manish
Visit www.general-ed.com/bschool-selector

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

First, you are still competitive for Haas and UCLA Anderson, but would improve your chances with a higher GMAT score. The fact that you graduated from a good undergraduate institution in a difficult degree helps your profile.

You already stand an excellent chance at Marshall, McDonough and Smith.

The downward trending grades are mitigated by your graduating from a good undergraduate institution in a difficult degree, but (per mentioned above) would be mitigated even more with a higher GMAT score.

What was your quant-verbal split? Usually, the concern is too low a quant. score, not the other way around.

Admissions committees know that the career track of a research scientist at a place like the National Cancer Institute does not lend itself to promotions, show definitely emphasize the increasing responsibilities and progressively greater impact and leadership.

Good luck,

[dragon_eyes]

My GMAT score is 690 (Q51,V31, AWA 5.5, IR 6). Recently, I have taken a writing course to improve my writing abilities. In addition, I already published some papers already.

I would like to apply round 2 for the 2013-2014 application season. I am getting some advice to take the GMAT again, but I don't think I have the time to do so. I want to focus on other parts of my application (i.e. essays).

Your thoughts?

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

I think your GMAT is close enough to apply to those schools. One strategy is to retake the exam immediately after (or as soon as possible) submitting your applications. Some schools will accept this score (if you have improved), while others will not. However, if you are waitlisted, you will have already taken the GMAT to show improvement.

[CriticalSquareMBA]

At this point, you honestly don't have enough time to take your GMAT again AND work on your applications. Michael's suggestion is the most feasible but very few schools accept a GMAT score after their deadline unless you're waitlisted so don't bank on that.

At this point, you have 2 - 5 weeks for most R2 deadlines so focus on your applications. If you improve your GMAT 10 - 20 points but submit terrible apps and essays, it won't do you any good.

Bhavik

[MBAPrepAdvantage]

New GMAT tests scores submitted after the deadline is usually a grey area where most schools neither flat out accept or prohibit considering scores submitted after the deadline. Anecdotally, I have had quite a few applicants submit scores after the deadline, receive acknowledgement by the school of receipt of these new scores, and eventually be admitted.

Kellogg' FAQs (https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/pro ... /faqs.aspx) has common wording:

Does Kellogg accept corrections or supplemental materials to an application that already has been submitted?

No. We will make exceptions only for corrections to factual data (not essays), changes in employment or employment status, grades for classes recently taken, or new GMAT, GRE or TOEFL scores. There is no guarantee that new grades or test scores will be considered prior to rendering a decision. New test scores or grades should be scanned and emailed [email protected]. Submitting multiple versions of any part of the application will delay our review of the application.

Good luck,