Delayed Applying for B-School Last Year

[hutch24242002]

I was going to apply to Business School in 2013. I'm a Project Manger for IT Firm providing an ERP Solution. in late 2012 my wife and I started investing in real estate. We have acquired several properties. We find the homes, screen/place tenants, collect the rents, etc. We oversee renovation projects, maintenance, etc, we find contractors and other service people to complete work on the homes as needed. We have even decided to try our hand at a "flip" which we are doing now(bye bye student loans if it works).

Bottom-line...
This has become a lucrative side business, we have over $100K in revenues per year. Can I use this experience in conjunction with my "9-5" job to enhance my application? Or is this considered "not impressive" by business schools standards. Mind you my GMAT Score is only a 600, and my undergrad GPA is nothing to get excited about from a directional school.

I'm not trying to get into an IVY, just a strong Public School like Maryland, University of Michigan(Dream School), Arizona State, etc.

How do you tell weave the story of a business that was started, but you are not living and dying with it as an entrepreneur full-time. But at the same time, I can tell how the business has helped me in my 9 to 5 and vice-versa.[/b]

[Melissa@Fortuna]

Hi hutch,

Congratulations on your new lucrative 'side' business! You can DEFINITELY use this experience in conjunction with your 9-5 job as this will add value to your profile and show leadership and success (even though you don't want this as a full time job).

Michigan states that they 'evaluate work experience in terms of quality: the impact the applicant has had on their organization and his or her natural leadership qualities.' So that's great that you have achieved success as they often ask for major accomplishments in essays/interviews as well as what you've learned from this experience and as you said, how it has positively impacted your other 'day job'.

Your gmat is a bit low as Ross' recent class ranged between 650 and 750, and the average score was 703. There is no minimum and you may still have a chance with a 600 but it would just make things more competitive for you so I might consider re-writing it, since it is your dream school. Since your undergrad marks weren't stellar, they might wonder if you have the academic capacity to succeed in the program. It really depends on the rest of your profile too.

Hope that helps. If at any time you'd like some help with your application/essays or want a further assessment, we at Fortuna would be happy to speak with you.

All the best,