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myownworld

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  1. Hi, I just finished my GMAT a few days ago and scored a 680 (41V, 41Q). I am applying to only USC right now as most deadlines are past. So, stats: -27 y/o -4 and a half years WE. Nothing corporate... mostly entrepreneurial. Started two small businesses, managed a small publishing company, recently been working as Business Development Manager of a magazine start-up in New York. Jumped around a lot. -2.83/4 from Purdue biz undergrad. USC's average is 3.3. My major GPA is a 3.6 and my last 4 semesters cumulative is about 3.3. Some - Some extracurricular and voluteer work. Always working onsome side project such as producing a film, managing bands, etc. Am a musician myself. I'm most worried about my undegrad GPA, my somewhat unorthodox WE, and the fact that i am applying for the last deadline.
  2. I studied for about a month and a half and scored a 550 on one of the Power prep tests before i started. I knew I was going to have to work on quantatative as I think I scored a 31 or so. So focusing on quantatative, I first purchased the Kaplan math workbook for review. Then I basically did every problem in that Book, Kaplan 2006, Kaplan 800, and OG11. I also searched for problems from this site, which I found very helpful as many of the problems posted here are the most realistic. The questions in OG are a little easier than on the test, but still provide the basis for stratagy for many of the problems. So, I would suggest working through OG and marking every question you get wrong, then going back through and doing everyone you got wrong until you know how to do it. I did only score a 41 on Quan, but scored a 48 the night before the exam on a GMAT Prep test and a 43 a few days before that. I think I studied quantatative for about a month total. I didn't concentrate too much on Verbal. I did some of the RC and CR questions in OG, but really focused on SC. I went through the Manhattan SC guide and made note cards on every section and did every corresponding question in OG. Then went through OG and redid every question. I think it helped as before doing this, which really only took a few days, I was scoring 34-35 on Verbal. I started studying SC about a week and a half before the test. AWA I didn't really study for at all. I think I read the strategy in Kaplan and read throguh a couple of templates on this site, but before the test had never actually done one. I would guess that I will get a 4 or a 4.5 on my essays. But I would definetaly have an idea of what to expect from them and a basic structure for each down in your head. I think the most important thing is to stay calm during the test. Go in as relaxed as you can. Plan you morning before the test so you don't get stressed. I decided to take the test an hour outside of Chicago instead of downtown as i thought the drive would be relaxing and not having to take pub trans downtown would be easier. I think I was right. I blasted some Arcade Fire in my car and screamed at the top of my lungs for the whole ride. Made a few calls to freinds to get pumped up and walked into the test center ready to go. The guys at the Merrilville, Indiana test center were great. Polite, helpful, helped calm you nerves. I told them about some of the bad things I had heard from this site about workers at other Pearsons and thanked them for being helpful. If you are taking the test in CHicago, I would really suggest this center. It is an easy drive, easy parking, small office and test room, and the guys working were great. Oh, I also took a Xanex before the test to calm me down. Which I was a little nervous about doing becasue i thought it may screw up my cognitive ability, but overall I think it was a great idea. I was calm and did not freak out during the test at all. It is easy to lose your calm and screw up your whole game. Again, thank you everyone and especially Erin for this site. It really helped me out.
  3. Hey Shifty, I'm also applying to USC as my first choice. Just finished the GMAT today and need to get my app in tomorrow. Feel like sharing you stats?
  4. Not ecstatic about the score, but very happy it's over and think that the score will get me into the school I want (USC). I had been scoring upper 40's on quantitative, but wrote a 41 in the exam. Not sure what happened, but I started running out of time somewhere in there and guessed on a few midway through. I decided to get my MBA a month ago and started studying then, at which time I was also concentrating on closing my business here in Chicago, so given my time constraints and stress, I think I did alright. Now I just have to get my application in by Friday.... Thanks Erin for the site and everyone who continues to post on here. I decided after reading some of the posts to study on my own instead of going with Kaplan which I think was a good choice. This forum was very helpful and couldn't have raised my score from the 550 I was getting in practice tests a month and a ahlf ago without it. If anyone has any questions about the test or prep ask and I'll be happy to respond. But considering teh scores of some people on this site, my opinions might not be the best. I used the 790 debreifing as a partial study guide. Good luck everyone to all of you taking the exam. It wasn't as bad once I got in there as I expected. Remained pretty calm for the most part!
  5. I can't figure this one out for the life of me. Am I missing something? The correct answer is A. Thanks.
  6. Hey Goma, can you check you answer on the triangle question? I think that you misread statement 1. I'm just trying to figure out if my answer is correct or not. Thanks.
  7. Hi everyone. I am applying to MBA programs at the end of the month and had a question about discussing my undergrad GPA in my essays. I am focusing on USC which has an average undergrad GPA of 3.3. My undergrad cum was 2.83, which is below that. However, my last 4 semester cum was 3.3 and my major core class GPA was about 3.6. My sub par cum is due to the fact that my first couple years were partially due to an undecided major. My question is should and how do I discuss this in the 4th optional essay which asks if there is anything else the admissions board should take into consideration. Will this matter? If I discuss it, will it just bring focus on my lowered GPA or will providing reasoning help? or not? In an interview with USC the ast dean of admission suggested that maybe I should mention it in the essay, but I still am questioning whether it is a good idea. I was also working quite a bit throughout my undergrad. Also, I am taking the GMAT next week. I have 4 1/2 years work experience (resume below). With my GPA and work experience, what should I be shooting for on my GMAT and what chances do I have specifically at USC? SHIFT MAGAZINE, New York, NY May 2005 – Present Business Development Manager Created the organizational foundation for a growing startup magazine now entering a second round of funding. Managed all day-to-day operations of setting up and maintaining the company’s offices, including all company’s accounting, finances and communications. Managed five interns and coordinated the efforts of over 20 volunteers and advisors. Worked daily with the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher to develop, revise and implement a strategic vision to raise $5 million in start-up capital and effectively enter the highly-competitive magazine space. §Revised the company’s business plan, including all financial projections through year six §Created media kit and advertising sales strategy §Managed intern projects to identify 100 potential investors and 200 potential advertisers §Built office infrastructure including contact management database, IT network, and Quickbooks accounting system §Helped structure second $150,000 round of financing to support a direct mail test campaign to 150,000 homes to verify magazine concept and launch marketing plan WICKERPARK REHEARSAL STUDIOS, Chicago, IL May 2003 - Present Founder / Manager Successfully pitched a partnership to a local landlord to convert 9,000 sq. feet of industrial loft space into 24 rehearsal and recording spaces for local bands. Built and maintained a successful rental business for over 2 years. §Created and implemented business plan for new business §Constructed rehearsal pods by dividing up the empty space and building sound proof walls §Marketed and leased rehearsal spaces to local bands §Maintained 100% occupancy for over $150,000 in revenue with 46% operating margins EDGE Publishing & Design, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 General Manager/Sales Representative Took over daily operations of a +$700,000 publishing company creating community guides for 48 Chicago-area suburban chambers of commerce. Organized corporate restructuring to maximize efficiency and better serve existing clients. Reorganized all company bookkeeping. Oversaw all sales strategies and efforts. §Coordinated all production, printing, distribution, marketing and accounting §Learned layout and design software to better manage the creation and printing of the core product §Identified and pursued new advertiser prospects and maintained client relations with existing advertisers §Realized 15% growth of revenues through new customer acquisition §Cut printing costs by 40% through creating a partnership with local printer CREATIVE PROFILES, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 Producer §Coordinated all production details for creation of television spots for local businesses. §Consulted with clients to develop concept and create television advertisements §Created and maintained budgets by overseeing all stages of the production §Supervised sales, casting, location scouting and post production ROADWORKS PRODUCTION, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 Producer & Marketing Associate Helped a prominent Chicago theatre company produce and market plays aimed at the culturally savvy 25-45 year-old demographic. Assisted in creating and organizing post-show events for group outings and the company’s social board by working with bars, sponsors and theatre staff. §Co-produced a profitable production of David Sedaris’ The SantaLand Diaries §Created strategies for gr***-roots and guerilla marketing campaigns to realize a 300% increase in ticket sales
  8. Hi everyone. I am applying to MBA programs at the end of the month and had a question about discussing my undergrad GPA in my essays. I am focusing on USC which has an average undergrad GPA of 3.3. My undergrad cum was 2.83, which is below that. However, my last 4 semester cum was 3.3 and my major core class GPA was about 3.6. My sub par cum is due to the fact that my first couple years were partially due to an undecided major. My question is should and how do I discuss this in the 4th optional essay which asks if there is anything else the admissions board should take into consideration. Will this matter? If I discuss it, will it just bring focus on my lowered GPA or will providing reasoning help? or not? In an interview with USC the ast dean of admission suggested that maybe I should mention it in the essay, but I still am questioning whether it is a good idea. I was also working quite a bit throughout my undergrad. Also, I am taking the GMAT next week. I have 4 1/2 years work experience (resume below). With my GPA and work experience, what should I be shooting for on my GMAT and what chances do I have specifically at USC? SHIFT MAGAZINE, New York, NY May 2005 – Present Business Development Manager Created the organizational foundation for a growing startup magazine now entering a second round of funding. Managed all day-to-day operations of setting up and maintaining the company’s offices, including all company’s accounting, finances and communications. Managed five interns and coordinated the efforts of over 20 volunteers and advisors. Worked daily with the Editor-in-Chief and Publisher to develop, revise and implement a strategic vision to raise $5 million in start-up capital and effectively enter the highly-competitive magazine space. §Revised the company’s business plan, including all financial projections through year six §Created media kit and advertising sales strategy §Managed intern projects to identify 100 potential investors and 200 potential advertisers §Built office infrastructure including contact management database, IT network, and Quickbooks accounting system §Helped structure second $150,000 round of financing to support a direct mail test campaign to 150,000 homes to verify magazine concept and launch marketing plan WICKERPARK REHEARSAL STUDIOS, Chicago, IL May 2003 - Present Founder / Manager Successfully pitched a partnership to a local landlord to convert 9,000 sq. feet of industrial loft space into 24 rehearsal and recording spaces for local bands. Built and maintained a successful rental business for over 2 years. §Created and implemented business plan for new business §Constructed rehearsal pods by dividing up the empty space and building sound proof walls §Marketed and leased rehearsal spaces to local bands §Maintained 100% occupancy for over $150,000 in revenue with 46% operating margins EDGE Publishing & Design, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 General Manager/Sales Representative Took over daily operations of a +$700,000 publishing company creating community guides for 48 Chicago-area suburban chambers of commerce. Organized corporate restructuring to maximize efficiency and better serve existing clients. Reorganized all company bookkeeping. Oversaw all sales strategies and efforts. §Coordinated all production, printing, distribution, marketing and accounting §Learned layout and design software to better manage the creation and printing of the core product §Identified and pursued new advertiser prospects and maintained client relations with existing advertisers §Realized 15% growth of revenues through new customer acquisition §Cut printing costs by 40% through creating a partnership with local printer CREATIVE PROFILES, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 Producer §Coordinated all production details for creation of television spots for local businesses. §Consulted with clients to develop concept and create television advertisements §Created and maintained budgets by overseeing all stages of the production §Supervised sales, casting, location scouting and post production ROADWORKS PRODUCTION, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2004 Producer & Marketing Associate Helped a prominent Chicago theatre company produce and market plays aimed at the culturally savvy 25-45 year-old demographic. Assisted in creating and organizing post-show events for group outings and the company’s social board by working with bars, sponsors and theatre staff. §Co-produced a profitable production of David Sedaris’ The SantaLand Diaries §Created strategies for gr***-roots and guerilla marketing campaigns to realize a 300% increase in ticket sales
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