Profile Evaluation

[matt]

College: Princeton University
Graduated 2005
Major: History
Minor: American Studies
GPA: 3.31


GMAT: 710 (92%)
Q: 48 (84%)
V: 39 (87%)

Work:

2006-Present:
Founded a specialty food business.
Annual revenue: six figures.
Product available in Whole Foods and other high profile retailers.
In the process of selling the business.

2005-2006:
Retail Analyst for Vista Research, a division of Standard & Poor's. Vista Research is a financial services firm.

Career Goals:

Interested in pursuing consumer products through venture capitalism, consulting, entrepreneurism or a major global consumer products company.

Personal:

Running in the 2009 NYC Marathon and donating the money to charity.
Entertainment Chair of my 5th Reunion. Year long post with a command of a sizable budget.

Questions:

Should I take the GMAT again?
What weaknesses are indicated by the resume?
How do I bolster the weaknesses?
What schools are reasonable?

Thanks!

Matt

[mbamission]

Thanks for your question, Matt.

You have a strong and interesting profile with a number of compelling factors - solid education/scores, proven entrepreneurial success which is unusual and quite appealing to the schools, a consistent career path with a logical flow, and some community activity.

To answer your specific questions: No, I don't see what taking the GMAT again would do for you; both your overall score and the breakdown are ones that most schools would be comfortable with. Potential weaknesses and how to bolster: First, as an American Studies major, did you take any quantitative classes in undergrad? If not, your GMAT quant score is still quite strong, but doing well in a couple of additional classes (accounting, finance or statistics for example) would remove any doubt about your ability to undertake a rigorous quantitatively-inclined program. Secondly, as a business owner, you may have some challenges finding executives who were senior to you to write your references. Start thinking about who could be your recommenders- investors in your business? Clients? Your manager from Vista? Be sure to get back in touch with any you may not be in frequent contact with.

Given your business success, I would think that any school is a reasonable one for you. While the top schools (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton) are a stretch for anyone, your profile is interesting and you show demonstrated success, and it's certainly worth your applying there. But there are so many other factors to consider - do you want a small or large campus, urban or rural, case method curriculum or lecture, flexible or structured approach, etc. Those are all questions you need to decide for yourself.

We do offer a free 30-minute consultation if you'd like to explore these questions further. (http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php)

Sincerely,
Jessica Shklar
MBA Mission

646-485-8844

Website: http://www.mbamission.com
Blog: http://www.mbamission.com/blog
MBA Mission Insider’s Guides: http://www.mbamission.com/store.php
Free Consultation: http://www.mbamission.com/consult.php

[matt]

Hi Jessica,

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

I did take one econ class and one game theory class, but both early in college. I was thinking of an additional course or two to develop my quant skills further.

I need to think critically about what I want from business school and how it addresses my career goals. It seems like it's time to do research on the different programs and asses compatibility.

Thanks again for your posting.

Cheers,
Matt