Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant

Dear Admission Experts

I am 30 y.o. Israeli male

Aiming for R2 Sep 2009 LBS and Wharton/ R1 for Jan 2010 Insead. Short-term career goal - to get into one of top-tier consultings - BCG, Baine, McKinsey. Long term - international general management.

My scores/BA:

Retook GMAT today - 710 (Q47 V41), took a month before - 670 (Q49, V 33).
BA in Business+Economics from Tel Aviv Uni (graduated in 1999) (84% GPA) - if i am correct on that, it is 3-3.4 - according to different formulas i found on the web (however i may be wrong)

8 years of working experience
Currently (for about a year) - Marketing Director in engineering college (responsibile for the branding/marketing/sales cycle)

2005-2007 Department director in Kaplan Israel - leading israeli test-prep company (department of test prep for non-native Hebrew speakers - p&l unit), held responsibility for strategy, marketing, product development etc

2004-2005 Consultant in marketing research company - took part in develpment of methodolgies for demand measurement for retailers and led number of researches - from furmulation to the presentation

2000-2003 Budget officer in IDF (was promoted during the service), working part-time as test prep instructor in Kaplan Israel

Extra curricular activities: prevoiusly: volunteered during the college years, took part in a number of Israeli delegations to Former Soviet Unions (2006-2007). Currently partnering in an internet venture - (webportal development)

When thinking about the application, if feel the following concerns:
1 - My GMAT score was intended to offset my medium Undergrad GPA, but failed to do so - isn't this combination too low for Wharton, in Your opinion? should i consider taking it again? (i would definitely prefer not)
2 - My age - is it to be seen as a disadvantage?
3 - my career path, however diversified, does not provide evidence for a long engagement with one employer. To what an extent can it threaten my application?

Can you please give your brief evaluation of my profile?

Thank You in advance for your help

What is the reasoning for the lower GPA? Was it one or two poor semesters, or was that about where you stood the entire time at university? If so, you can use the optional essays to explain this (and I would recommend doing so).

Either way though, I would lean towards not retaking the GMAT. A 710 shows you can handle the academics. I think it will be up to your story from there...