Is it worth?

[Oh_MBA]

Hi guys,
My hat is off to u all here, who are dedicated to share their views on posts.
U are doing really good job. I really appreciate this.

Would u give me some recommendations? Thanks.

About me:

- 27/m/from Uzbekistan.
-bachelors: International business from #1 University in Uzbekistan.
- Undergraduate GPA 90/100% ( 3.9/4.0), degree with honor.
- Certificate ffor academic excellence in every semester.
- Country level olympiad in economics 3 place. University level Olympiad in Economics 1st, Finance 2nd, Micro/Macroeconomics 2nd place.
- 1st GMAT 570 (q49,v21) 2nd GMAT 630 (q50,v25: 75 percentile).
- Work experience 2 yrs as an assistant to fin manager at private company.
- extracurricular activities:
faculty team soccer captain ( champions 3 consecutive yrs - best captain certificate)
adviser to freshmen 2 yrs
volunteer tutor of Maths and English for children (7-11 yrs old) of economically struggling families for last 3 yrs.
started Chess club for children and instructor, members 25 people.
facilitator at Youth club with 3000 members.
"The contributor of the year" award at work for profitable project.

I am interested in finance,consulting,and banking industry.

Currently I was admitted to Spring semester MBA in Finance program at Clark University, MA., with 50% scholarship and Graduate assistantship.
Although I really want to study at Top 20 unis (my wish list: Kellogg, Darden, Haas, Kelley, Kennan Flagler, BU), financing education may be a problem for me.
So loan would be a relief: I can find US co-signer.

My questions:
Given my profile above and a ticket for Clark, should I still consider applying to Top 20? Is it worth applying in round 3 (Darden, Haas, Kellog, UNC, BU) for fall'09? or Should I finish MBA at Clark University, MA, complementing it with CFA and probably CPA?

Plz take into account, while giving suggestion, that I have to take TOEFL and retake GMAT (in max 2 months) if I apply to TOP 20. Also, I am obliged to attend to Clark U to keep my F1 status.

Ultimately I have 3 options right now:
A) Forget about Top 20 and go to CLark Univ.
B) Attend Clark but also retake GMAT and take TOEFL, apply to Wish list or the other uni for Fall'09 MBA in rounds 3/4.
C) Attend Clark but also retake GMAT and take TOEFL, apply to Wish list, MIT, Tuck for Fall'10 MBA. In this case (option C) I will lose 1.5 yrs and by that time I will have almost graduated from Clark Uni: would it be wise decision to drop Clark and move to Elite uni?


Which option is the best?


Thanks for all ur time and effort.

kindest regards

Oh_MBA.

[MBA Mission]

Thank you for your inquiry.

Without knowing the nature of your work, I still think it will be difficult for you to challenge for a place at a top-20 school. Your 570 GMAT will be a serious issue in the third round at top-schools. You might have a chance at BU, but schools like Darden and Haas seem very unlikely. That written, if you can raise your GMAT score and have strong work experience (please detail it), you might be able to find your way into UNC in the third round, as they doubtfully have any students from Uzbekistan and would likely appreciate your national diversity.

I definitely would not matriculate at Clark and attempt to transfer. This is a very unlikely path.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: www.mbamission.com
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[Oh_MBA]

Thank u for quick response, Jeremy.
I will definitely consider ur recommendations.

If I am not mistaken ur analysis is based on my 1st attempt score of 570.

But my highest GMAT score is 630 (q50,v25) not 570.

I will definitely try to raise my score to be competitive at Top 20, as my problem is only verbal. But at the same time I must attend Clark (I am already in the USA) or I have to sign up for language courses just to keep my F1 status.

WE: this is a private construction firm in Uzb. Hedging the funds, helping to make investment decisions, looking for possible acquisitions are all core of my job.

here are my questions:

1) Given my credentials above and assuming Rec letters and essays to be reasonably good, What is the min score on GMAT that may secure my place in one of my wish list?

2) assume that I get 680+ on GMAT and 100+ on TOEFL then is it worth applying to Haas, Darden, Kennan Flagler and BU in round 3?

3) What if I apply for Spring '10 or Fall '10, after substantially improving GMAT? Then do u think this effort will outweigh time, money and stress i spent, in case I am admitted to one of Top20? ( in addition to this read Option C, mentioned in my early post, plz).

4) i am an international student. If i can improve my credit history in say 6-12 months ( I don;t know it is possible in short period), will i be able to take student loan ( CitiAssist, Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo, MEFA) without co-signer: I mean does TOP 20 matter to lenders?


Maybe, u already answered 1 or 2 questions. If so I am sorry. Thanks again for time and efforts.

kindest regards to u.

[Oh_MBA]

All I need is one more expert look on the issues.
I am so grateful to u for any input.