Profile Evaluation

[nadontheway]

Dear Consultant,

I would like to get my profile evaluation. Pls find below my profile:

Gmat score:
Oct 08: 610 - 69% (Q39- 55%) (V35-74%)
Feb 08: 470 (Q33-V23)

Toefl: 99/120

Education:
HEC Business School, Paris, France: Ms Risk Management
University of Toulon, France: BA International Business

Age: 32
Female
French and Algerian nationalities

5 years experience:
2 years with French Ministry of Economy
3 years banking

Locations worked: Middle East- France-UK

Target schools: Top 10 US and UK

Thanks for your advice.

[MBAApply]

You have a strong enough background that you would be competitive for the top 10 schools IF your GMAT score was stronger.

The GMAT is really the only thing holding you back. If you can, re-take it and raise it to the high 600s if you can. Do whatever it takes - enroll in a course or hire a private tutor. Beyond that, it comes down to the quality of your written application and interview. If you still can't get your score to a competitive level, then by all means go ahead and apply, but know that luck will play a much bigger part in your results.

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

[nadontheway]

Thank you very much.

[nadontheway]

Hi Alex,

I will make another Gmat attempt before R2. If I can't get a higher score, do you advise me to apply to R2 or wait R3 to try to improve my score?

BTW, I am an international applicant and most schools advised to apply R2.


Thank you so much.

[nadontheway]

Forgot to ask:

Which top US MBA's are age friendly? I am 32...

[MBAApply]

The top US schools prefer younger candidates - some more than others but you'll find that 80-90% of the incoming students are under 30. However, in your case, it still comes down to the GMAT score. With your current score, you're competitive for schools outside the top-16. If you are looking for the top 16 schools in the US, you realistically need at least a 660 to be competitive.

In an ideal world, you should apply in Round 2, but your GMAT is the major obstacle at this point. Good luck!

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

[nadontheway]

Thanks Alex,

Ideal scenario: I got 660. Which Top US school do you advise me to apply to?

worst scenario: I can't increase my score. Do you advise me to apply to R2 with my current score (as you mentioned earlier in your post) or should I wait for R3 to try to improve it?

thanx

[nadontheway]

Dear Alex,

Please could you answer my last question:

R2 deadlines are coming soon and I need to decide which strategy to follow:

Would you advise me to apply to R2 with my current score (if I can't increase it by then) or should I wait for R3 to try to improve it considering that I am an international applicant?

Thank you for your prompt answer.

[MBAApply]

If you don't score above 660, it really doesn't matter because your chances are slim at any top-16 school regardless of whether you apply in Round 2 or 3. As such, if you score above 660, shoot for Round 2. If you don't score above 660, go for Round 3 and retake the GMAT one more time.

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