26 AA female applicant

by **smiley** Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:24 pm

Hello,
I plan on applying for an MBA program next year, and here is a summary of my background information. I moved from Africa 6 years ago, attended a community college, transferred to UCLA (with a 3.9 GPA) and graduated as a Business Economics Major from UCLA with a (3.2 GPA) in 2006. I presently work as an accountant in a mid-tier accounting firm in Los Angeles, and would love to serve as a Business Development Analyst with the IFC with hopes of transfering to Africa on a field Mission sometime in the future. For this reason, I believe that an MBA will aid me in making this career change and provide the tools necessary for me to take on leadership roles and projects needed to achieve my goals.
My voluteer programs include an internship in an African organization in Washington DC where I served for 3 months, a trip to Mexico to aid a boys orphanage, Junior achievement, and Reading to kids among others. My target schools include Georgetown, NYU and Yale...Harvard may be stretching it :). I will be taking the GMAT in a few weeks and have been studying for over 3 months. It's a tough exam. Could you offer some advice on how I could make my self more competitive.
I actually became an American citizen last year (something I am Very Very grateful for), but I do have great passion for Africa.

by **smiley** Tue Aug 12, 2008 10:17 pm

I was also an Alumni Scholar for the class of 2006 (was opportuned to attend UCLA on scholarship), and have been with my current job as an accountant since college (a little over 2 years).

by **MBAApply** Wed Aug 13, 2008 1:23 am

You should be competitive for the schools you mentioned.

Also, given your overall profile, you have enough of an outside shot to HBS that it's worth at least submitting an application - you never know.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com

by **Guest** Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:23 am

Thank you very much for feedback Alex, I will be keep you posted.

by **Smiley** Wed Aug 13, 2008 6:31 am

Thank you very much for the feedback Alex, I will be keep you posted.

by **Smiley** Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:17 pm

Hi Alex,
I just took my GMAT, I got a 590! Maths (42-67%), English (28-48%) ! I am so sad! I put in so much effort, yet, I could not make it. I tend to do bad in standardized tests, and I do not know how else to improve my score! Please advice me on what to do!

by **MBAApply** Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:24 am

Go drinking, or to the spa -- or just get some "me" time where you are treating yourself.

Then develop a plan to re-take the test. Take a GMAT course (or switch to another company if you already took a course last time), or hire a private GMAT tutor. Basically, it's not about "studying harder" but more about finding a way to approach the test in a different way than you're used to (hence enrolling in a new GMAT course or hiring a new GMAT tutor). Good luck!

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com

by **Smiley** Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:10 pm

Lolol! Thanks Alex, I will go to a Spa! I am presently thinking of how to attack the GMAT again, I lost stamina by the time I got to the Verbal section...I remain positive, and will keep you posted as usual. Thanks once again.