Profile Evaluation

[delano101]

I plan to continue to try and improve my GMAT, but really have two questions:

Does my background in finance offset my quant deficiency?
Does being an underrepresented minority help offset the low overall GMAT, or do I need to be more in-line with the averages to have a shot?

Stats
GMAT: 640 (Q: 42/57% V: 35/74%)
Undergrad / degree / GPA: U.S.WN top 55-65 / Finance / 3.43 (cumulative)
Work Experience (at matriculation): 3 yrs at bulge bracket as a credit analyst; 1 yr prior as a financial analyst for company x ($3Bn revenue)
Sex: Male
Race: African American
Extracurriculars: ~150 hrs. of community service in college. Some leadership but not of much significance.

Goal Schools
Columbia
NYU
UCLA
UT Austin

[mbamissionjenK]

Hi there,

Your background in finance can help, yes, as at least you demonstrate quantitative ability in that way!
Certainly other elements of your profile such as strengths or being less represented in the class profile etc can help... but tough to say full 'offset' just because at those schools it's SO competitive.... so if others have similar strengths AND higher GMAT scores, it can be challenging... I would say no matter what, re-take soon and see if you can improve your score... taking the test multiple times is becoming pretty common and if your competition/other applicants are doing so.... why not give yourself every chance, right? Vs knowing your GMAT is a weakness. Good luck, keep us posted!