Please Evaluate My Profile

[MBA90]

Hi,

I could use some help setting realistic expectations for where to apply and how my profile will look to an MBA admissions board..

My profile goes as follows:

GMAT Scores:
GMAT Overall: 640
Quant: 39 (55%)
Verbal: 40 (89%)
AWA: 6 (87%)

Undergrad:
GPA: 3.03 from a good but not great school
Major: English
Minor: Sociology

Extracurricular Activities/Community Involvement:
Taught free English lessons to troubled students in Japan
Member of Technology/Entrepreneurship and Web 2.0 groups in NYC

Professional Work Experience:
Public Relations Firm, New York, NY 03/08-Present
Account Executive

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services, Washington, DC 01/07-02/08
Staff Associate

Office of Congressman Barney Frank, Washington, DC 08/06-01/07
Intern

The Nova Group, Osaka, Japan 08/04-04/06
English Teacher


Target Schools:
NYU
Babson
Rutgers
BU

Desired position after my MBA:
Brand Manager for a consumer electronics company

I think the admissions boards will find my work history interesting, , but I am worried that my low GMAT and GPA will hold me back. I also don't have much very much math on my transcript, so I think that could raise a red flag taken with my GMAT scores. Is there any way to address this in my essays?

Also, my target schools are all over the place, but I plan to apply to NYU part time, and the rest full time. Do I have a shot at NYU? also am I being too conservative in only applying to one school of NYU's caliber?

Thanks!

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear MBA90,

Your concerns are legitimate, especially regarding your GMAT/GPA/quantitative skills. I would suggest taking a college algebra, finite math and/or calculus class. It will help to show you are committed to business school and a good grade will mitigate some of the concern from your transcript and GMAT. It would also be helpful to you as you will be expected to know your calculus for your core finance classes. I do think an optional essay acknowledging this weakness is a good idea, but you need to tell them what you are doing about it as well.

I think you have a shot at the part-time program at NYU, but it would be a reach for the full-time program. Your school list is appropriate for your profile, and I commend you on your self-awareness. If you want to apply for another reach program that makes sense, you should so you have no regrets. But it is good to have some reasonable options to shoot for as well.

Good luck,
Lisa