Just wanted to let you know that the site is great. Super way to get an idea of what other people are doing out there.

Can you tell me what my chances are of getting into some schools like Duke? I am interested in Social Entrepreneurship.

Major: Economics
GPA: 3.65 (started with 3.1 and finished strong with mostly 3.75+), with honors from small all-male liberal arts school in VA.
GMAT: 610 with very strong verbal scores and low quant scores
WE: 5 years International Development
• Special Advisor to the Colombian Federal Government on microfinance policy (Grameen bank style) for 1.5 million families in Colombia
• Lead consultant on large intentional non-profit microfinance project in the Caribbean (1 year) 2,500 families now being served as direct result
• Hired as small business development consultant for US government international development pilot project managing $5.0 million in assets (1 year)
• Director of Peace Corps Community Economic Development Program (oversight of 30 volunteers etc.)
• Peace Corps Volunteer in two countries with some good measurable (3 YEARS) various promotions within Peace Corps

XtraCurriculars:
• Bilingual: Spanish/English
• Rhodes Scholar Candidate (’02) didn’t get it
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Elected as Treasurer of Student body
• Head Resident Advisor for entire campus
• 4 year College football
• self financed education

Race and gender: White male

What do you make of all this?

Thanks again and all the best!

Thank you for your inquiry.

You seem to have an absolutely phenomenal professional profile that is abetted by a four year college football career. While your grades are strong, clearly your GMAT is a problem. With so much time left before you apply, you may want to take the GMAT again. I am guessing that you have some background in Calculus and Statistics that could help you argue that you can manage the curriculum, if you cannot in fact improve on your score. While I don’t think that Duke is a lock for you, you should have a chance because of your remarkable background. In the past, I have told candidates – “I am not saying that you are going to get in, but I am saying that if they do let in candidates with low GMAT scores, those candidates will look like you.” I stand by this statement in your case…

Sincerely,
Jeremy Shinewald
MBA Mission

www.mbamission.com
646-485-8844
Skype:MBAMission

Jeremy,

Thanks for the encouragement! Just to let you know, you were right on. I was accepted and ended up with a full scholarship even though I only had a 610. To be honest, it was a complete surprise, but one I am very thankful for. I only applied to Duke, and now am regretting it a little bit. I might have been able to get into a higher ranked school.

Let me ask you a question, would it be worth forgoing this opportunity (free Fuqua education) compared to paying to go to H/S/W?

Let me know what you think and thanks again!