Profile Evaluation

[eellison85]

Hello,

I will likely be applying in the first round to several top 15 MBA programs that start in the Fall of '14. First, a bit about myself:

GMAT: 2 attempts, 670 both times: 1st(Q42V40), 2nd (Q40V42), AWA: 5.5
GPA: 3.2 from State University
Work Experience: 5 years enlisted in US Air Force, Space Operations
Leadership Experience: Not extensive, but a definite strength (will be able to write strong essays)
Letters of Recommendation: Will have strong Academic and Professional LORs
Additional: Currently in MS Finance Program at Private University, GPA so far 4.0 (will not be complete before Round 1 deadline)

I know applying with a military background tends to be favorable for many MBA programs, but I don't want to get too over confident.

Target Schools:
Extreme Reach: Harvard, Wharton
Reach: Kellogg, NYU, Tuck
Slight Reach: Cornell, Ross, Carnegie Mellon

Is my targeting realistic? I am most concerned with getting into an MBA program with a very strong Finance department.

Options:
1) Apply round 1 '14 with this profile
2) Attempt to retake GMAT after finishing MSF this Nov/Dec and apply Round 2
3) Wait to start in '15 (really don't want to do this), but have the extra time to really improve GMAT score and take CFA levels I & II

I am confident I can improve my GMAT score, but I'm not sure if it's worth the time/effort as I really would like to start in Fall '14. Age is an issue as I'm currently 28. The second time I took the GMAT I was very prepared, and used this "over"confidence to waste my time on Quant attempting to answer all questions correctly and then rushing at the end. I had been averaging in the Q44-46 range prior to the second test.

I need some help deciding if now is the time to apply. I don't intend to settle for a school that is not on my target list, so if my GMAT score is a deal-breaker, I would re-attempt (3rd try) and put forth my best application for Fall '15.

Any advice will help.

Thanks!

[mili]

Hi,

Thanks for sharing your profile. Your military background is definitely a plus, but I feel that the fact that you're applying while you're enrolled in an MSF program could be seen as a negative. [You might be taken for a degree collector/confused/not in need of an MBA]. On the other hand, you're sticking with the finance route, so the story is consistent.

I'd say that it wouldn't hurt to retake the GMAT one more time and see if you can bump your score up. But it's not worth waiting until next year to do that, so I suggest you retake it asap (between now and Dec 2013, and apply in R2. The sooner you can take it, the better (will give you a good picture of where you stand before you begin the application process). If it turns out you can't retake the test, I'd still go ahead and apply this year and see what happens... you can always reapply next year if necessary.

I'd agree with your categorization below for the most part - I'd revise to say H/W are stretch (esp in absence of improved GMAT), Kellogg, Tuck are slight reaches, NYU/Cornell/Ross/Carnegie Mellons I'd called targets.

Hope that helps,
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com
 
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