Mr. MD/MBA

What I really like about your profile is how clear and focused you are–at such a young age–about what you want to do with your life. Your direction, your aim is really admirable and impressive. And coming from a low-income background, I salute you for all the hard work you’ve had to do to get to a top medical school. It may strike some as odd that you are already thinking about an MBA at the age of 23 and being in med school. In fact, it’s not. I did a profile of another med school student who is a member of the entering MBA class at Harvard Business School not long ago so I know exactly where you are and understand why an MBA would be a highly valued asset to pursue your goals to have a real impact on healthcare in this country. You can see it here:

https://poetsandquants.com/2020/05/24/harvard-mba-admit-battling-covid-19-on-the-frontlines/

Your devotion and work to increase the representation of minority and low-income students at both your high school and undergraduate institution are highly commendable. It tells me you are motivated by helping others and improving community. And it is evidence that you will make good on your life’s goals.

Bottom line: I think your odds are very good at Columbia, your first choice school. While your GMAT score is below the class average, everything else about your candidacy is strong. Gaining entry to a top med school with a scholarship says more about you than a standardized test score and I think Columbia would be lucky to have you in their business school classrooms. Sure, I could tell you to retake the GMAT and get a higher score. A 700 would significantly boost your odds of an admit, and frankly, if you can stand it, I would retake the test. But if you make sure CBS knows it is your first choice and get to know one of two of the admissions folks there, I actually think you can get in with your 670.