Profile Evaluation (MBA Programs)
Hi WSO,
I'm looking to apply for business school and wanted to get everyone's thoughts on my profile.
32yr old male
Undergrad GPA: 3.5 in Economics from Asia (Korea)
Grad GPA: 4.0 GPA in Economics (eg Yale, Stanford, Duke)
GRE: 322, 6.0 AWA (skewed towards higher quant)
Work Experience: 6 years in finance (multiple promotions)
CFA Level 1
Strong Volunteering Experience
I'm looking to apply to the Harvard, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, Kellogg, NYU, Yale SOM, Cornell
Is my profile strong enough for Harvard or Wharton (despite the low GRE)?
I have also served military service (in Korea) which explains my relatively higher age
What are my chances for the above schools? Thanks in advance!
bump - any comments? thanks!
This is a bit of a hard one.
You are 32, if you apply next year - by the time you matriculate and graduate you are looking at 35. This puts you on the higher end of the age spectrum for an MBA. Your work experience is considered 8 years - and not 6. You have to count the military experience as well.
Your GPA is average - but your grad GPA is great from a prestigious college. Plus you also have CFA L1.
Your GRE is on the lower side - 325-330 can be considered good. GRE scores are in the gray area and not as transparent as GMAT. Stanford has average of 330, while Wharton at 324, and Harvard at 327. As you can see - the scores are significantly different between each of these schools and there is no benchmark like GMAT of 730. Additionally - you state your score is skewed towards high quant. Unlike quant degrees, MBA prefers more of the same score and not skewed towards a particular section (unlike GMAT as well). Wharton ex: 162Q 162V, Harvard: 164Q 163V, Stanford: 165Q 165V.
I will say aim for high 320s as my only suggestion because your profile is a bit out of the ordinary. You have things going for you (Grad GPA + School Prestige) and against you (GRE, undergrad GPA, Age).
I think NYU/Yale/Cornell is a good shot, M7 might be a stretch unless you increase your GRE and explain why MBA now given you have 8 years exp. Age is a factor, but we have seen individuals get accepted with age is mid 30s.
Thanks very much for your advice and profile analysis! As with your advice, I will retake the GRE with a target of a higher, balanced score (towards high 320s), and also narrow down on the list of schools for the application. Many thanks again!
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