Profile Evaluation

[AlaViva03]

Age: 23 (applying for fall '09)
Sex: Female
Ethnicity: Black
Undergrad: Harvard
GPA: 3.2 (2.9 freshman/sophomore year, 3.5 junior year, and 3.6 senior year)
Major: Psychology/Pre-Med (got a C+ in first semester of Calculus sophomore year and a B+ in Stats)
Work: Researcher at boutique consulting firm that works with medical device companies (Dec 07 - present); Paralegal (July 07 - Dec 07)
Extracurricular: Worked 10+ hours per week as undergrad; Student Director of Church School at Mem. Church; Human resource coordinator and volunteer for after-school program at elementary school in Boston; volunteered in the emergency department of Boston Medical Center
Interest: Health care management and policy

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My top three schools are Wharton, Stanford, and Duke.

I'd like to know what the minimum GMAT score I should aim for given my background and school preference and if I should enroll in a math course at a local college or university this fall to make up for my lackluster math skills? Also, any other advice you may have about the application process and how I should market myself b-schools would be greatly appreciated!

I just finished an MGMAT course and my highest score from three practice tests was 640. My GMAT is scheduled for August 4th.

Thanks so much!

[MBAApply]

You want to shoot for high 600s as a realistic minimum (schools say they have accepted applicants with all kinds of GMAT scores, but 90% of them will be high 600s or higher for the top schools). Ideally, you want to get a 700 or more.

And yes, if your transcript suggests that you don't have a strong quant background (either the lack of quant coursework, or poor to mediocre grades in your quant coursework), then you should definitely take 1-2 extension courses to make up for it.

Beyond that, it comes down to how well you execute the application. You have enough of a chance at the schools you listed to at least give them all a try.

Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com