Profile Evaluation Request - GMAT 670

[henry.h.marshall]

Can you let me know how this looks? I haven't compiled a list of stretch vs sweet spot schools so am looking for some rough placement so I can begin to think about where I should look.

Profile: Male, Caucasian, 27 (now), 28 (in fall 2012)
Undergrad: Middlebury College '07, GPA 3.4 (cum laude), English Major
GMAT: 670 (Q47, V35)
Experience:
-Analyst - 2 years middle market PE firm in NYC gathering portfolio company financial results and preparing analyses on performance. Managing 3 pooled purchasing programs for the North American portfolio of 50+ companies totaling spend of more than $25 million.
-Analyst - 1 year supporting/working with the senior operating partner out of the European headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, visiting two portfolio companies to analyze opportunities to streamline cost structures and accounting methods.
-Associate - Return to NYC to assist in managing and vetting a pool of outside consultants for use in portfolio company projects.
Interests: Building out hard skills in accounting and financial modeling to either be more effective in a consulting role, or move into financial transactions
Other: NY Marathon, 2 European Triathlons, interest in international employment

My concern is that the English major will be viewed as fluffy and the GMAT score might be a little low to go for top tier schools. On the other hand I think the PE experience and stint in Europe might be interesting. I'd like to consider Stern and/or Columbia but my sense is that I may be below their thresholds...

Thanks for any guidance!!

[mbamission]

Hi Henry,

Thanks for writing in. I think your self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses is spot-on. While I'm not sure you have to worry that the English major is "fluffy," you clearly use analytical skills in your job, so you can point to that to combat any weakness.

I'd say Stern could be within range and Columbia a "near-reach." If you have a strong affinity for those two programs, then I think you can apply to both. I would not recommend applying to those two, and then Harvard/Stanford/Wharton (or some combo like that), and nowhere else, as it's tough to predict how the schools will react to your GMAT.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Daniel Richards
daniel@mbamission.com