Profile Evaluation

[gmatstudy8]

Hi,

I just completed my first crack at the GMAT and am in need of some advice. I would greatly appreciate an evaluation of my profile. Basically, this is getting down to if I should take the GMAT again. For some context, I'm applying to a few top 5 MBA programs. I appreciate your help.

GMAT:
680 (40Q, 42V)

Work Experience:
4 years total consisting of
-Current - 2 years Big 4 Accounting Firm - In Advisory Services (Business Consulting/Process Improvement) not auditing
-2 years as consultant with a global consulting firm (same as what I do now at Big 4)
-Consistently received high ranks at both companies and plan to have a rec written from a supervisor from both.

-CPA

-In process of having a computer application developed that I plan to attempt to sell (side project - not much experience in this area. No programming skills, so just outsourcing the development of my plans)

Education:
-Attended a top 15 undergrad per US News Rankings (not sure if that matters)
-Accounting Major
-3.5 GPA
-College Athlete

Extracurriculars:
-State alumni admissions chair for my alma mater
-On state chapter board of a national charity organization

That 40Q on the GMAT really bugs me, but the only reason I would not retake the it is because I feel I may have adequate evidence to support my proficiency in the quantitative field (i.e. A+ in calc II in undergrad and A in physics along with a strong GPA in accounting). Honestly, math is always my strongest subject by far, so I am baffled at this outcome. It is consistent with my practice GMATs however.

Given my heavy work schedule over the next month or so I fear that I would not be able to improve my GMAT score much and at the same time I'd be sacrificing time potentially spent on preparing the remainder of my applications. I am applying for the January 1 deadline though, so I am definitely struggling with weighing the available time I have.

I greatly appreciate your help.

[mili]

Hello,

Thanks for posting. Your profile overall is good:

Academics: Good undergrad GPA in a quantitative course area + average GMAT score (slightly low quant). + CPA.

Professional experience: It's good that you're at a top firm and that you're on the consulting (not audit) side. I'm not as familiar with the advisory service side of accounting, but the quality of your professional experience is going to depend greatly on the level of leadership experience you've exhibited on the job. Can you show that you are a strong team player and team leader? That you take initiative to improve your firm's processes, positioning, bottom-line, etc.? Have you been consistently promoted? Are you interacting with senior level clients? If you can demonstrate these types of leadership skills, then you're in good shape. But if you're sitting behind a desk crunching numbers all day and not interacting with other people much, then it's going to be a tougher sell.

Extracurricular/Community: Glad to see that you're on the board chapter of a nonprofit. Hopefully you have strong leadership and community impact stories from that experience. Alumni involvement with your school is great. I'd also think through the various extracurricular passions/hobbies you have that make you you (mountain climbing, surfing, biking, traveling...whatever it is, you want to show the admissions committee that you are multi-dimensional and unique).

I'm not sure that your profile as it stands screams a top 5 program; with your current score, I'd probably suggest aiming more towards mid 1st tier programs (with maybe one top 5 as a stretch/reach school).

Of course, a 700+ GMAT score would very much help your chances at the top programs... but if you don't think you can improve your score, then it's probably a waste of time to retake the exam. I can't really decide that part for you - you've got to figure out how much study time you need to boost your score, and whether you can make the time for it.

I hope this helps - good luck!
Mili

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

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter