Advice needed loyal MGMAT user

[mastankovic]

Hi since I have used Manhattan books for my GMAT preparation I feel that this is a good place to ask for advice. :)

I am 31 year old male from Serbia having 5 years of post graduate work experience:
2 years of audit (Big4)
2 years as a financial analyst
1 year of consulting in deals department (same Big4 company)

I took GMAT 3 times and on the last exam scored 690 (Q49 V34). Last two time i scored 640 and 650.

I am active in NGOs for the last 10 years. I was the youngest candidate for the Serbian parliament 5 years ago. I am also one of the founders of one of currently major political parties and the first president of the party's youth organization. However when I graduate I decided to pursue financial career rather than political.

I am planning to apply for full time MBA to NYU, UCLA, Marshall and Rochester. Do you find me competitive for these schools?

I am a little bit worried about big difference between my Q and V score. However, on one of the previous exams i scored 38 in verbal and now concentrated on Q.

MGMAT books helped me increase score from 650 to 690. Thanks.

Thanks in advance.

[mili]

Hello!

The short answer to your question is, yes :) Given your deep involvement and success in government, your success in the finance field, and your community involvement, I think you're in great shape. Your GMAT is good enough and the rest of your profile will compensate for any minor academic flaws.

I would even say that you could apply to more competitive programs if you so wish.

I wouldn't worry about the split between your verbal and your quant scores - the quant is more heavily weighted. Just make sure your essays are very strong and coherent.

Hope this helps!
Mili

Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

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Mili Mittal
Senior Consultant
http://www.mbamission.com

Read the mbaMission Insider's Guides (16 individual school titles)

Download mbaMission’s Free Personal Statement Guide

Visit the mbaMission Blog

Follow mbaMission on Twitter

[mastankovic]

Thank you very much for the response, Mili. I just have one more question.


What I wanted to ask you is whether I should emphasise my political activity and include this recommendation with all schools or just those known to be politically oriented to some extent, such as Harvard or Stanford?

[mili]

Good question! I would definitely include/emphasize your political career in all your applications. Whether or not you should include a political recommendation is a tougher question. I think it could shed a very different perspective on your candidacy and leadership capability. If you think you have a strong political recommendation that can speak to your character/leadership/communications ability, that could be great! But, you'll really have to use your judgment as you know your recommenders and experience better than I do!

Good luck,
Mili