I am trying to gauge the strength of my application to top 15 programs:
Caucasian Male
GMAT #1 39v/46q 690, GMAT #2 42v/44q 710
Finance Major: GPA 3.82, Summa Cum Laude, top 50 UG
Work Exp*: 3 years of strategy consulting at non MBB, top 5 firm
*Potential full sponsorship, will update as I know more
The Quant score on my GMAT is low, but I planned to address it in an optional essay. How would my candidacy stack up?
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you should be fine for top 15 programs. probably a reach for H/S/W but should be good everywhere else.
"Caucasian Male" .
Although your quant's a bit low, I think your GPA makes up for that. I think you should have a solid shot at anything outside of HSW. Hell, I'd throw my hat in the ring for Wharton too.
I would say focus on the M7+T with a few top 15s as a backup plan.
If you end up being sponsored, that helps your case even more. Good luck!
Also, how are your quant classes? You may not want to address it in an optional IMO, it may just call more attention to it
highwyre237, thanks for the support. I got into Tuck and have you to thank for making me more seriously consider it as an option for my MBA.
highwyre--
Not sure about the official list of classes that qualify as "quant" courses to the Ad Com, but here is my breakdown:
Micro Econ, Macro Econ, Financial Accounting, Intermediate Finance, Financial Management & Markets, Investment and Portfolio Mgt, Advanced Financial Management, Intro-Stat in Social Science, & Regression Analysis: A
R.E. Finance & Securitization, & Managerial Accounting: A-
Financial Statement Analysis: B+
Calculus-Social & Mgt Sciences: B-
Probably close to a 3.85 Quant GPA
So you wouldn't recommend writing even a short Op Essay acknowledging the low Quant score and pointing the Ad Com towards my transcript/work experience?
Also my preferred target schools would be: NYU, Columbia, Yale, and Wharton. Would it make sense to do the optional essay for C & W since they emphasize Quant, and not for the others?
The B- in calc isnt great, but an A in stats should clear that up. Double check with an admission consultant here or on the other MBA boards, but I think you're fine.
IMO You should be pretty solid at NYU and Yale, CBS is a solid match, and Wharton is slight reach, but I wouldnt be surprised if you got in. Optional essays on low quant scores are a waste of time. Let your profile speak for itself.
You have a great GPA in a quant heavy major at a solid UG You work at a Booz/Deloitte level firm doing strategy And you have a 710 (although quant is a bit low, schools will see the 46Q you got in an earlier test) To add, you may already have a job lined up post MBA at the same firm, schools love a guy that they don't have to waste their resources on for recruiting, and can boost their Consulting employment %s with
YOU ARE FINE Is this a HBS or GSB level app, no, Wharton? maybe. But I think you have a solid shot at M7 level schools and below that level I'd say you're set.
The quant score is a bit low. Here's a quote from Dee Leopold, head of Harvard Business School admissions at her first admissions webinar in June: This is about quant scores and comparing to quant-related courses
So since they have your transcript, all you need to do is mention one line in the optional essay -- for all schools. That's the first thing they look for -- is it a test thing or is it an ability thing? Don't fret.
Having said that, I want to point out that they look at the calculus and the stats grades before the finance grads. so the B- in calc is a little wobbly.
Thanks for all of the feedback. It sounds like a bad idea to go into too much depth on the optional essay when the rest of my application can speak to perceived weaknesses.
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