I'm doing this a little backward. I bought the official guide, went through it once, took the official practice tests, and naively sat for the exam over the weekend. Needless to say I didn't ace the test. I scored a 700. Didn't even finish the math section(47) and got through the verbal(38) with a second to spare. Felt more like an athletic event than an intellectual exercise. I was beat.
Realizing I got in over my head, I've decided to find out a little more about this process. I'm not hoping for top five or even top ten, but something like Virginia, UNC, ASU, or even Florida is probably more up my alley.
I'm 35, an oilfield engineer(U.of Texas, mechanical engineering) turned Airline pilot turned Investment Advisor. I have my own small state registered firm. I'm content, financially independent, and certainly don't fit the "profile", but I want to go to "B" school. From what I've gathered from these forums, I'm not exactly what appears in the dreams of the admission officers.
My positives would be that my experiences are somewhat unique. As a project/drilling engineer, I worked in some interesting places, Suadi Arabia, Indonesia, Australia, and some more mundane European locations. I flew a jet all over the Eastern United States for a regional carrier. And I've started a fairly successful investment advisory firm with no previous professional experience in the industry.
My negatives would be my undergrad record. Shows some aptitude. Lots of As in difficult courses, but a couple of blown-off(as in having to repeat) semesters slaughtered my GPA, 2.5. And I'm guessing my career ambition of just wanting to go back to my firm would not impress.
I'm looking for the full-time two year experience mostly to challenge myself and to expand my knowledge base, so I definitely want to go to a competitive program or not go at all.
My question is how should I proceed? Should I not waste my time? Should I retake the GMAT? I think I could definitely improve my score significantly with some solid preparation. Any thoughts on my chances of admission or general advice would be appreciated. Please don't be gentle. I have pretty thick skin.
Thanks,
Matt
Realizing I got in over my head, I've decided to find out a little more about this process. I'm not hoping for top five or even top ten, but something like Virginia, UNC, ASU, or even Florida is probably more up my alley.
I'm 35, an oilfield engineer(U.of Texas, mechanical engineering) turned Airline pilot turned Investment Advisor. I have my own small state registered firm. I'm content, financially independent, and certainly don't fit the "profile", but I want to go to "B" school. From what I've gathered from these forums, I'm not exactly what appears in the dreams of the admission officers.
My positives would be that my experiences are somewhat unique. As a project/drilling engineer, I worked in some interesting places, Suadi Arabia, Indonesia, Australia, and some more mundane European locations. I flew a jet all over the Eastern United States for a regional carrier. And I've started a fairly successful investment advisory firm with no previous professional experience in the industry.
My negatives would be my undergrad record. Shows some aptitude. Lots of As in difficult courses, but a couple of blown-off(as in having to repeat) semesters slaughtered my GPA, 2.5. And I'm guessing my career ambition of just wanting to go back to my firm would not impress.
I'm looking for the full-time two year experience mostly to challenge myself and to expand my knowledge base, so I definitely want to go to a competitive program or not go at all.
My question is how should I proceed? Should I not waste my time? Should I retake the GMAT? I think I could definitely improve my score significantly with some solid preparation. Any thoughts on my chances of admission or general advice would be appreciated. Please don't be gentle. I have pretty thick skin.
Thanks,
Matt
