Can you please give your feedback on my profile? I'm planning to apply for the Fall 2009 entry. My top choices (in the order of preference) are Columbia, MIT, NYU, Cornell, and Darden.

I scored 720 on GMAT (72% Math/98% Verbal). I know my math score may be a problem, so I'm planning to retake the test... hoping to increase my math percentage by a few points...

I have 4 years of experience of working for a blue-chip financial company in a capital markets function.

My GPA is not stellar, at 3.0 from Stern NYU. My GPA during the first two years of studying (before transferring to NYU) at a foreign college was 4.0, however.

Can you let me know if I have a good shot at getting into the programs I listed above?

Also, I just left my company after 3 years of service. I'm planning to take some time off to do something else with my life. I'm debating between taking up a job at a foreign country or perhaps working for a non-profit for a year. Any advice on what business schools value the most?

Thank you,

Alex

It's really hard to say - folks like you get in, folks like you get dinged at the schools you listed. You seem like a middle-of-the-road applicant unless there's something exceptional talent or achievement in your background that you're not mentioning.

As such, it comes down to a combination of how well you execute your application, timing (apply Round 1 or 2), and luck. Getting above 80% on the GMAT quant is ideal, but given where your score is at already, it's not going to make a huge difference either way.

As for what b-schools value the most, it's not one thing in particular, but a combination of things - academic aptitude, interpersonal skills (including team and leadership potential), a strong sense of self (i.e. you are articulate and insightful about your own development and growth as a young person), and career focus (you know what you want).

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