Hello. I would very much appreciate a profile review, and am aiming to apply in Round 1.

Background: American Male (Caucasian), 27
Undergrad: BBA from Baylor (Double major in Finance/Real Estate)
GPA: 3.0
GMAT Score: 700 (42 in Math, 42 in Verbal, 6.0 AWA)

Undergraduate Activities:
- Involved in a church, mission trips, etc.
- Residence hall leadership team
- Several leadership roles with national fraternity

Work Experience: 5 years this month with a financial services company, the first 3 years in a hybrid customer service/financial advisor role and the past two in a financial analyst role, with a focus on operations for the capital management side. Prior to that, I worked at an adventure camp leading guided trips for several summers and interned with a regional hospital in the accounts payable area.

Extracurricular Activities:
- Lead a Community Group (essentially a Bible study)
- Involved on "core team" that is planting a church, which has me meeting at least once a week to hone leadership skills through a written curriculum
- "Core Volunteer" with Habitat for Humanity
- Compete in triathlons/bike races

Target Schools (Top 5): Kellogg, Booth, S.C. Johnson, Columbia, McCombs

My post-MBA ambitions would be to enter into financial portfolio management, which likely would require CFA certification as well (I am currently looking into starting the program prior to entering an MBA program) or possibly consulting. Obviously, my GPA is a rather large albatross around my neck. A good deal of the struggles in undergrad came in the area of accounting. I have since taken two accounting courses in the University of Texas at Dallas' graduate business program and have made "A's" in both courses. Would you say that I am aiming too high, or do I have a chance to get into my top schools? My preferences of my Top 5 would be Kellogg and Booth.

Thank you in advance for the time and effort taken in responding!

Regards,

James

Because you have 5 years of experience, you shouldn't face a big hurdle with GPA. The longer ago your UG experience was, the less it really matters unless it was horrible, which yours was not. If it encourages you, I got into a top 5 program with a 2.9 GPA! You have also done some key things to help alleviate the adcoms' concerns, such as taking extra courses in the areas where you were weak before. Focus on how you can make your experience memorable. Financial services is not the most exciting industry--I know this because I worked in it too. Tell stories that exhibit teamwork, innovation, leadership and maturity, but do it anecdotally. You have done some unique and interesting things outside work too, which all add up to making you into a balanced, and memorable applicant. Let us know if you need help. Your target schools seem appropriate to me. Again, since you hail from a feeder industry (finance/banking) and since you want to continue in this field (good for consistency and believability), you will simply need to stand out amongst others with a similar background.