Columbia - 07-09-2020 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

July 8, 2020 11:23pm ET

Applying: Columbia, Cornell / Johnson, Dartmouth / Tuck, Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, UPenn / Wharton, UVA / Darden

Intake Year: 2021

Pre-MBA Career: Engineering at big 3 auto company

Post-MBA Target Industry: Consulting Companies: AT Kearney , Bain , BCG , Deloitte , McKinsey

GMAT: 690

GPA: 3.05

Years of Work Experience: 6

Location: Midwest

Post MBA Location: New York, Boston

Notes:

Attended a top 10 private engineering college. I am a first generation Asian American and the first from my family to attend college. Before working as an automotive engineer, I was in a management trainee program and have 2 years of experience as a supervisor of 40 people. I will be taking the GMAT again in a couple weeks (I scored a 730 and 750 on practice tests and was disappointed with my 690). I planned to apply R1, but if I am not able to score better, is it wise to retake it a third time and apply R2? I am wary of my lower GPA and being part of a more overrepresented group and thought I would have a better chance applying in R1. Planned to apply to HBS/Wharton/Stanford/Columbia R1 and then the other schools R2 if I did not get accepted. Big fan of the podcast!

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Show Comments (5) Last: July 21, 2020

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1580 As you’re aware, with your current numbers, things will be tough. Boosting the GMAT will be great, taking a third time, if necessary, might well be appropriate. Might also be good to consider enrolling in some coursework, even if you don’t complete by the deadline. Are you involved in activities outside of work? I’d replace a couple of R1 schools with Darden and Tuck. Ross might be worth examining (1)

anon42275 Likes Earned: 24 Thanks for the feedback! I am hoping the re-take is more reflective of my preparation. I feel confident I can get at least a 20-30 point improvement on the GMAT. I am involved at my local temple and have been helping to set up sports tournament and other events for the last few years (we are a smaller tight-knit community), and I have been a mentor to younger members in the community. I also give guitar lessons in my free time to friends and family for fun - I have had to go virtual the past few months due to the pandemic. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1580 Good, sounds like you are active outside of work. Impact at work will be important, supported by strong recs. what are your long term goals? (1)

anon42275 Likes Earned: 24 I planned to get into management consulting, preferably in the Northeast, for the short term. Long term, I would like to start my own business using the experience and network gained as a consultant. If I find I love consulting, I am not opposed to doing that long term either. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1580 More details on this candidacy in 5his episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2020/07/episode-112-wire-taps/ (0)