Profile Evaluation?!

[JOHNK]

Hi Stacy/ rest of the community,

Im looking at doing an MBA starting in Autumn 2009. Ive been out of education for a while and want to gauge what my prospects are and where I could reasonably look to apply.

My Profile is as follows:

30 yrs old
Male
Irish
c.6 yrs professional experience
Undergrad: 2ii in Sociology (Cardiff Uni)
Masters: MA Property Law and Valuation (Cass Business School, London)
Qualified Chartered Surveyor (British thing!)
Qualified Investment Manager (CFA-IMC)

Work Exp: Served in the British Army for 1.5yrs (Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst). Army Scholar.
Professional Rugby player for a year.
Currently a Fund Manager working in London(2 days a wk) and Milan(3 days a wk). Responsible for c. €1bn and team of 10+.

Ran various clubs at university and currently run a local branch of a charity in London.

Im taking the gmat in Nov and am not sure how I'll get on. Im rubbish at the maths but the english aspect is fairly simple (likely to fall around 620-650).

Your input would be much appreciated

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear JohnK,

I think you have some interesting parts to your background that you can leverage in your applications. You did not note your GPA, any target schools or your post-MBA goals, so it is hard to comment on your chances beyond generalities. Depending on the schools you are targeting, your GMAT will need to be close to or above the schools' average GMAT to be competitive on that measure. If your GPA is low, then the GMAT score will need to be higher than the average and if your GPA is high, then you might still be competitive if your GPA is slightly below the school's average. As the applications are evaluated holistically, how well you present yourself in essays and your interview will also affect your chances.

From what you posted, I think you have the materials to be competitive but your GMAT score will be telling in terms of which schools are a reach and which are reasonable for you.

Good luck,
Lisa

[JOHNK]

Thanks very much stacy. I went to university in the UK so we have a different form of classification. I have a 2ii (somewhere around 58-60%) in my undergrad and around 61% in my masters (the pass mark was 50%).

I was hoping to gain some leverage on the back of a fairly varied work background (militry, professional sports and fund management) and the fact Im responsible for very large funds, one of which is a charity.

I was thinking IE in Spain, HEC in Paris, Darden in the US and possiby Boston University.... I realise Im no rocket scientist, and need to be realistic. But Ive (what I believe to be) a strong record of performing under very testing conditions, both mentally and physically.....

Do you think my choices are suitable/realistic and is there anywhere you might suggest?

Im more focused on investment and strategic management rather than 1/2 yrs of quants........

Thanks so much for your feedback (in advance!)

John

[Lisa Anderson]

Dear John,

Again, your GMAT score will be telling as to whether those schools are a reach or a reasonable/safety option for you. All are great programs, but you need to target your GMAT to be at or above the average to put yourself in the best position.

Good luck,
Lisa