Hello and thanks for your input. I’m wondering if you can help me figure out the strength of my candidacy. A little bit about me:
-24 years old, white male, currently reside in NYC
-2+ years experience (3 by next year) specializing in real estate at a commercial bank in NYC; Participated in a 6-month finance co-op with a company in the top 35 of the Fortune 500 during undergrad
-Penn State University, Major: Finance; Overall GPA: 3.55; Major GPA: 4.00 (almost flawless performance in quant and writing courses...poor freshman year, with extremely strong sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns)
-GMAT: 720 (Q49/88%, V38/83%) - 95th Percentile
-Very strong written skills, which I’m certain will show in essays
-For what they're worth: SAT: 1300 ACT: 33
Potential pitfalls:
-I’m only really involved in one extra-curricular, with which I have significant involvement
-I’m worried about my letters of recommendation. My employers are unaware that I am applying to school (and I plan to keep it that way for fear of retribution), but I have several VP’s who would write recommendations.
My questions to you:
1) Will the recommendation situation hurt me, or will admissions officers understand my circumstances if explained in optional essays/comments?
2) My top 10 looks like this (in this order): Wharton, HBS, Kellogg, Chicago, Tuck, Sloan, Yale, Michigan, with UVA and Georgetown as safeties...Is this list reasonable, given my credentials?
3) I’ve considered taking the GMAT again, as I am confident in my ability to score 750. I know that a 720 won’t necessarily keep me out of any schools, but would a 750 get me into any of them?
4) Would I be better suited waiting a year to apply?
I have a list of safety schools, but obviously I would like to get into the top 10 schools.
I appreciate your input.
Thanks again!
GMAT Forum
4 postsPage 1 of 1
- eparjn
- MBAApply
To answer your questions:
(1) Just explain the situation in the optional and you're fine. Keep it short and sweet. It's not uncommon for applicants to get someone from their current company who isn't their direct boss to write the rec letter. Don't "spin", just disclose the reality of the situation.
(2) Yes, you're shooting at the right range of schools given your overall candidacy. Comes down to quality of application and a bit of luck.
(3) High GMATs don't help you get into any top school, but low scores can keep you out. Don't retake it - even if you end up with a higher score, an adcom can question your priorities.
(4) If you feel ready to apply this year, then go for it and see what happens. Worst case is that you end up reapplying next year.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
(1) Just explain the situation in the optional and you're fine. Keep it short and sweet. It's not uncommon for applicants to get someone from their current company who isn't their direct boss to write the rec letter. Don't "spin", just disclose the reality of the situation.
(2) Yes, you're shooting at the right range of schools given your overall candidacy. Comes down to quality of application and a bit of luck.
(3) High GMATs don't help you get into any top school, but low scores can keep you out. Don't retake it - even if you end up with a higher score, an adcom can question your priorities.
(4) If you feel ready to apply this year, then go for it and see what happens. Worst case is that you end up reapplying next year.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- eparjn
I feel that I would have a strong application this year, but I wonder what the recent influx of apps will do to affect mine. Will the fact that I'm gainfully employed (without threat of losing my job) and applying by choice provide me an advantage over those who are applying essentially because they lost their jobs and have nowhere to go? Or will none of that be considered?
MBAApply Wrote:To answer your questions:
(1) Just explain the situation in the optional and you're fine. Keep it short and sweet. It's not uncommon for applicants to get someone from their current company who isn't their direct boss to write the rec letter. Don't "spin", just disclose the reality of the situation.
(2) Yes, you're shooting at the right range of schools given your overall candidacy. Comes down to quality of application and a bit of luck.
(3) High GMATs don't help you get into any top school, but low scores can keep you out. Don't retake it - even if you end up with a higher score, an adcom can question your priorities.
(4) If you feel ready to apply this year, then go for it and see what happens. Worst case is that you end up reapplying next year.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
- MBAApply
There's so many factors that go into an already subjective process of deciding who gets admitted and who doesn't - that you really can't isolate one fact (whether you're currently employed or not) and decide whether that makes any difference. It depends on the individual, and you can't assume "all other things being equal" because there is no such thing in reality.
You are who you are. If you currently have a job, how will that impact your efforts or approach to the applications process? If you're ready to go this year, apply this year. If you're not, then don't. It's really that simple. Worrying about whether it's competitive this year vs. next year and trying to time the market is an exercise in futility - it's things you can't control or know in advance.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
You are who you are. If you currently have a job, how will that impact your efforts or approach to the applications process? If you're ready to go this year, apply this year. If you're not, then don't. It's really that simple. Worrying about whether it's competitive this year vs. next year and trying to time the market is an exercise in futility - it's things you can't control or know in advance.
Alex Chu
alex@mbaapply.com
www.mbaapply.com
http://mbaapply.blogspot.com
4 posts Page 1 of 1