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[aki23]

Originally Posted by AdmissionsConsultants

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

Your commitment to IT and your involvement in tennis is certainly an interesting mix. Your long term goals in this regard do make sense but you will have to carefully craft a strong story to address why you are now ready to make an entire switch and commitment to sports management. To help you ease into that connection, it will be important that you emphasize the leadership and management responsibilities you have had thus far in your career and with your sports involvements. Take your management knowledge and that can possibly serve as your link.

There are various factors involved when considering a possible list of schools to target. I cannot provide you with such advice on a public forum for a range of variables must be considered. If you would like to discuss this option in more detail, please do contact us.

In terms of what you should be doing in these next coming months before you apply, keep on focusing on your interests and begin to consider possible recommenders that can help validate your potential for your future career switch.

Also, I would recommend that you consider retaking the GMAT. A 710 for your particular demographic pool is low, you should aim for at least a 730+ plus if you plan to compete for top tier schools.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc

Hi ,

Thanks a lot for your advise.

[drb2072]

Ok, so I have read a great deal of these, so I'll bite.

Competitive B-School desires:
Chicago GSB, Carnegie, Emory
looking for the part-time programs

Stats:
29 years old white male.

2.6 UG gpa, over the last year I have taken 39 semester hours, added another degree (management) with a GPA of 3.8. (that's right, my prior UG GPA (math) was around 2.1)

710 GMAT, Q/V 81/89, taken once

5.5 years work experience, two years Domino's Pizza franchisee(sold for nice profit), one year failed attempt at starting own restaurant franchise, 1.5 years licensed commodities broker, one year(so far) mergers and acquisitions.

Coast Guard Licensed Boat Captain (2002)
PADI Scuba Diving Instructor (1998, achieved instructor level at age 19)
Currently Teach Series 3 candidates to pass exam at former commodities firm

Strong recos from only 2 employers I have ever had.

The ace in the hole for me is I have a close relative involved in administration at Chicago, haven't approached her with the prospect yet. I was waiting for the GMAT score to validate asking her help, with 710 I feel I deserve a shot regardless of grades.

Any help / suggestions would be appreciated!

[AdmissionsConsultants]

Originally Posted by drb2072

Ok, so I have read a great deal of these, so I'll bite.

Competitive B-School desires:
Chicago GSB, Carnegie, Emory
looking for the part-time programs

Stats:
29 years old white male.

2.6 UG gpa, over the last year I have taken 39 semester hours, added another degree (management) with a GPA of 3.8. (that's right, my prior UG GPA (math) was around 2.1)

710 GMAT, Q/V 81/89, taken once

5.5 years work experience, two years Domino's Pizza franchisee(sold for nice profit), one year failed attempt at starting own restaurant franchise, 1.5 years licensed commodities broker, one year(so far) mergers and acquisitions.

Coast Guard Licensed Boat Captain (2002)
PADI Scuba Diving Instructor (1998, achieved instructor level at age 19)
Currently Teach Series 3 candidates to pass exam at former commodities firm

Strong recos from only 2 employers I have ever had.

The ace in the hole for me is I have a close relative involved in administration at Chicago, haven't approached her with the prospect yet. I was waiting for the GMAT score to validate asking her help, with 710 I feel I deserve a shot regardless of grades.

Any help / suggestions would be appreciated!

Hi and thanks for your inquiry.

One of the most pressing concerns I see in the material that you presented is your vast career choices. You mention that you want to enroll in a part-time program, that is fine but you must be able to clearly define as to why a part-time program best suits your needs. Most people who are satisfied in their career are ok with opting for a part-time program because they are looking to stay in the same field and apply what they learn to their current profession. You did not mention your career objectives, and the questions I raise are questions that the committee will raise. Thus make sure to connect your current decision with your future goals.

As for your undergrad GPA, your commitment during the last year and your strong GPA in management is what you will want to emphasize. Also, if you can score higher on the GMAT, a higher score never hurts but as of now, your score is solid.

Finally, your extracurricular activities are interesting. The Coast Guard affiliation can certainly bring a good story element but you must connect to your overall application theme.

Best of luck with your applications!

Sincerely,

David Petersam
President
AdmissionsConsultants, Inc

[pdesmmhh]

Hi David,

If you wouldn't mind evaluating my profile I would appreciate it.

I am currently an undergrad at Penn State majoring in Mathematics, Economics, and Statistics. I will have completed some graduate level coursework in Econ (Micro I & Macro I) and Stats (Regression) by the end of next fall. Also I am in the university's Honors College and will be writing a thesis. My GPA is a 3.78. I have not taken the GMAT yet as it is the end of my junior year. I plan to take it this summer.

I am 28 years old and spent 6 years in the Army before going to college. This experience includes an infantry leadership position during combat operations.

I am not certain what else I should be doing to improve my chances. Right now I would like to go into Investment Banking/Finance. The schools I am looking at are MIT, Yale, Penn, Stanford, Tuck, & Chicago. Should I not consider any of those, or consider elsewhere? What can I do to improve the fact that I don't have any business experience? What else can I do to improve my app.

I have also participated in an REU (Research Experience for Undergrads) for two semesters.

Thanks in advance!

[kev5673]

I'm not really sure what range of schools I should be targeting and would greatly appreciate your help.

GPA: 3.8 in economics from University at Buffalo
GMAT: 760, 5.5 AWA
Work Experience: Energy Trader with small firm for almost 2 yrs now, more than 3 yrs by enrollment in fall 2009. Trade proprietary capital for return of over $1million or about a 400% return on invested capital / yr. Problem: This is an independent position with no teamwork/leadership involved. Compensated very highly but really nowhere to go with the position.
Personal: White 23 yr old male. Have 2.5 yr old son his mother and I have been raising while I put her through school. (Should this be included in apps at all?) I'll be taking and passing level I of the CFA exam in june.
Goal: I'd like to go into financial/economic consulting after completing the MBA.

Should I look for better work experience before applying to schools? The only problem is that I would have to take a massive pay cut to do that, about 50%. I'd like to go back in fall '09 but at least by fall '10 because that will be the last round my gmats are usable for, and I'd rather not retake them.

Mainly I'd just like to know what range of schools I should be shooting for given the profile. Thanks for your insights.

Kevin

[ericirav2000]

Hi David. I am curious to see what you think about my profile and my chance of getting into a top 10 school?

Background: Persian. First generation in my family to attend a university. Graduated from the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business.

Concentration:Finance

GPA: 2.995 (I know it’s weak, can I round up to 3.0 if it is really 2.995)

GMAT: 700

Work Experience:
3 yrs at investment bank

Side Work Experience:
I’ve always had a thriving entrepreneurial side. Since graduation, I’ve been responsible for developing and selling two successful online businesses’ while working at my investment bank. In addition, I continue to sell business plans (businesses' that I have thought of but have yet start) to other entrepreneurs.

Licenses:
Series 7

Career Goals: To establish networks with other entrepreneurs to build and expand my entrepreneurial endeavors.

Target schools: Top 10

Primary concerns:
Low GPA and Gmat


Thanks in advance.

[visnaga]

Hi
I am a pharmacist graduated from Egypt with low GPA 2.2.
I havenot taken GMAT yet.
I am really thinking of MBA but I wanna ask do I have any chance?
Also what do you think of the MBA program in the American university in Cairo?

[Gmater-1]

This is very nice of you David.

[kjm84]

Hi,

I posted this thread on the main MBA Admissions board, but I think I may get a better response here. First a little background. I'm graduating from North Carolina State University in May with degrees in computer and electrical engineering. My long-term career goals include working in a upper-level management role for a large, technology-oriented company. I think that an MBA is prerequisite for achieving my goals. I hope, with your input, to develop a 4 or 5-year plan for getting into a great business school. My top choices are (in order) Duke, UVA, UNC. I'm assuming the top schools (Harvard, Penn, Columbia, etc. are beyond my reach).


Educational Background

I'll be graduating with an overall GPA of 3.25. I don't think this number represents my best work. My senior year GPA will be around a 3.6, and I think this is a fairer indication of what I'm capable of. Here are my questions:

1. Is my GPA low enough to warrant the development of an "alternative transcript"?
2. If so, what classes should I take? I have a B average in three calculus classes I've taken.
   
3. I understand that NCSU isn't exactly an elite institution. Will admissions committees hold that against me?
   
4. Also, will admissions committees consider the fact that my senior year GPA is significantly better than my overall GPA?

Post-undergraduate Work Experience

I've received several job offers, and I've narrowed my options down to two. The first opportunity is with a large corporation with a mediocre reputation. The position involves rotational assignments and heavy emphasis on leadership development. The goal of the program is to develop lower and middle-level managers. The second opportunity is with a stellar corporation that has the reputation of hiring extremely bright and capable employees. This company is a consistent market leader within every niche it competes. However, this second position doesn't emphasis leadership development like the first. Question:

1. Based on the limited information I provided, which job opportunity would look best to admissions committees?

GMAT Preparation

I've already decided to take formal GMAT prep classes. Questions:

1. Is it better to take the GMAT soon after graduating, or should I wait a few years?
2. Is it possible to extrapolate my GMAT score from my SAT score (1400)?

Extracurriculars

In college I was in a social fraternity (as opposed to academic or service), and I played intramural sports. From what I've read, admissions committees don't really consider undergraduate extracurriculars, so I guess that doesn't matter. Questions:

1. After college, I plan to continue playing team sports. Is this a plus?
2. What other extracurriculars do admissions committees like to see?

I realize this is a long post and I'm asking a lot, but I would really appreciate any insight you guys could provide. Thank you!

Keith

[preeti239]

Hi,

It would be great if you could help me select amongst the following list of colleges or even suggest some other colleges.......i wud need 5 colleges to apply to prior to my GMAT..which i will be taking shortly...
My profile is as follows:

GMAT: yet to give...but am expecting arnd 700
Acads: IT engg....63% from Mumbai Univ (India)
Work Ex: 3 years by Fall 09....as a contractor for Ernst & Young through Hexaware Technologies Ltd.......have worked extensively on .Net and Business Intelligence
Extra Curricular Activities: very good

The colleges i have shortlisted are:

1. Univ of Michigan - Ross
2. Cornell - Johnson
3. Indiana Univ - Kelley
4. UNC - Kenan Flagler
5. Emory - Goizueta
6. Rochester - Simon
7. Purdue - Krannert

please let me know if my choices are fine...or if i shud also look into some other college.......

Regards,
Preeti