Profile Evaluation

[tompatchin]

Hello,

I have a 690 GMAT and 3.1 GPA from a small private school. I have 4 years of post-degree experience in corporate accounting for a large private company. My experience there does not really show distinct career progression that I can point to, but I have certainly learned a lot and been involved in several projects, and I have very decent references from my direct supervisors that highlight my performance, abilities and motivation.

My GMAT score is a 42 Quant, 42 Verbal. This worked out to a 59th percentile for Quant, 95th for Verbal. My overall of 690 was 88th percentile. I haven't heard back on the AWAs, but I expect them to be 5+. I am afraid that although 690 isn't bad (better than I was expecting), the fact that that score is propped up almost entirely by my high verbal score, might render the overall score obsolete.

I am also worried about my GPA and work experience not being satisfactory.

I originally intended to apply to Cornell, Imperial College, City University: Cass, and possibly UT - Austin. However, in talking with a friend of mine that is an Oxford: Said alum, he recommended that I aim for Oxford or even London Business School as well.

So at this point my school list looks like this:
London Business School
Oxford: Said
HEC - Paris
Imperial College
Cornell: Johnson

I am worried that my list is possibly far too ambitious. I know a lot goes into the application process, but are my work experience, GPA and low Quant score enough to disqualify me from some of these schools?

The only other circumstance to mention is that the GPA is weighed down heavily by two years of Spanish that were 2.0 (it really wasn't the language for me). Were it not for that, the GPA would have been a little higher.

Thank you in advance for any insights!

Tom

[mbamission]

Hi Tom,

It's obvious that you're putting a lot of thought into your profile and school selection, which is great. You can address your GPA in the optional essay by noting it was weighed down by Spanish coursework, and I have to think there are many examples of strong analytic skills you can point to given your job in corporate accounting. You can also ask your recommenders to specifically speak to your analytic skills in their letters.

Your list of schools spreads a wide range and you'll need to show that you've done the research as to why these schools are a good match. For example, UT Austin applicants are typically seeking a different MBA experience than an LBS applicant. You may have you reasons -- just make sure they're clear in your essays.

I think you may want to supplement your list with 1-2 options that are slightly less competitive to diversify your chances, but no particular school should get dismissed based on your scores alone.

Best of luck,

Daniel Richards
http://www.mbamission.com

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