State University in New York

3.51/4.00 Cumulative GPA

Major: Finance

Worked as an assistant on equity derivatives sales and trading desk at a small, boutique i-bank. Obtained the Series 7 license.

Trade Support / Middle office work at a family office / asset management firm.

Accounting / Operations role at a large, multi-strategy, reputable hedge fund w/ 4bn under management.

Credit Derivatives Client Servicing at a large i-bank.

Honor Society Memberships: Golden Key, Beta Gamma Sigma.

Scholarships for Merit: Charles W. Pearson Scholarship.

International travel experience in 2006: Took a year off to explore Western and Eastern Europe, Egypt, Scandinavia, and Russia.

Volunteer and Leadership activities: Minimal…

GMAT score: Average

I would like an MBA to obtain a strong General Management education, maybe even specialize in Finance (but I realize I may not be a banker type).

What do you think? This is all w/o any kind of fibbing or exaggerations.

I feel that my good grades in all of my business / quant courses could help the adcoms overlook my non-stellar GMAT score.

I would like to get into Cornell, UMich, Tuck, Duke, Haas, UCLA or NYU.

Am I competitive?

Based on your raw goods alone (quality of work experience, grades, "average" GMAT score which I assume means in the high 600s at least for the schools you're targeting), you should be competitive for the schools you listed -- it will come down to how well you execute your written application, how well you interview, and a bit of luck. You should be fine.

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