Wire Taps 249—Eastern European with low GRE score. Retaking the GMAT, modest GPA. Strong numbers, strong profile

Summary: This week's episode kicks off with a look ahead to this week’s admissions deadlines for Oxford / Said and ISB. Graham and Alex also discussed the current activity on MBA LiveWire from those applying to Columbia Early Decision and J-Term rounds. Graham noted two recently published Adcom Q&As, from the ISB and UC Irvine; he then brought up the recent publication of a 'Real Numbers' piece on the percent of students who are US minorities at the top programs in the United States. This led to a discussion regarding the important distinction between being an under-represented minority versus an over-represented minority; where Alex drew parallels from the international student cohort. Graham also highlighted the upcoming essay workshop series, which begins on September 14 with admissions representatives from Berkeley / Haas, Yale SOM, Chicago / Booth, Cornell / Johnson and Wharton / U.Penn.  Signups are here: https://bit.ly/clearadmitfall Before diving into the three candidates featured this week, Alex and Graham talked about the upcoming webinar for Clear Admit+ members (today, August 28th at 12 pm ET!).  The episode then moved into the breakdown of three ApplyWire entries: First up, Alex picks a candidate who is a dual citizen (an Eastern European country and the United States) and has a very strong professional background. Their work experience and extracurriculars might well be decent - and their GPA of 3.5 is solid. The big issue is the 312 on the GRE. Alex and Graham really hope they plan to retake the test, even if this means pushing their candidacy to Round 2. This week's second candidate is from the GCC region, working for a Sovereign Wealth Fund. Their work experience looks impressive (and unique!), they also appear to have strong extracurriculars. Their GPA is low (3.1) and their GMAT is rather modest for top programs (700). Alex and Graham encourage this applicant to retake the GMAT, which may also help them overcome the more modest GPA. Our final candidate this week is an Indian candidate who is working in Dubai, and wants to return to Dubai post-MBA. They appear to have decent work experience and are active in their community; this activity has helped shape their long term goal, and both Alex and Graham like that connection. They do have very respectable numbers (740/3.78) to round out what appears to be a strong profile. This episode was recorded in Paris, France and Cornwall, England. It was produced and engineered by the infinitely talented Dennis Crowley in Philadelphia, PA, home of the suddenly surging Philadelphia Phillies. Thanks for listening and please remember to rate and review this show wherever you listen.