bryantmichaels wrote:
Phil:
You have several things going for you and a couple of detriments. Firstly, HBS 2+2 loves engineers. Engineers make good consultants because they know how to solve problems. This makes for a solid foundation on which you can base your case for admission. What might hurt you is not having gone to a top 5 engineering school. Realizing how competitive the HBS 2+2 program is, you will need to rise amongst a pool of very sharp engineering applicants, so posting a good GPA from a good school will not comparatively be as impressive to Harvard as posting an great GPA from a great school. HBS loves pedigrees. Having said that, they also love diversity, so hailing from a school in the South may help geographically, but then again, there's GA Tech, which HBS historically loves. Your involvement is great--leadership is critical in an HBS application, so the fact you started some organizations and demonstrated leadership in the past is always good. They want to be assured that you had a meaningful impact on the organizations and environments of which you have been a part. Perhaps your ace in the hole is the America's Got Talent stint. Being unique and showing that you literally stand out in a crowd will help you stand out in the crowd. Uniqueness adds also to the diversity. Ultimately, however you will need to show that your experience will be valuable to your fellow classmates, so try to think about the things you have done from that perspective. Let us know if we can be more helpful as you pull things together.
-bryant
Bryant:
Thank you so much for your response. My understanding of your post is as follows:
My weaknesses:Undergraduate GPA and school will be less competitive than most engineering applicants to the 2+2 program.
While what I can do to change this is very limited, would a very competitive GMAT score (750+) help alleviate the disparity?
My potential strengthsMy involvement in Fighting Gravity and how unique that experience is. I also forgot to mention that we, as a group, raised over $25,000 for Virginia Tech's Relay For Life by performing on campus, with all proceeds going to charity. We also performed at the "Children of Chernobyl" charity event in New York for no cost.
" Ultimately, however you will need to show that your experience will be valuable to your fellow classmates, so try to think about the things you have done from that perspective."Can you please clarify? By this do you mean in the way of community service and service to other students (advisement/tutoring)? I spent a summer as a resident adviser for a summer bridge program put on by the Center for Enhancement of Engineering Diversity. The program targeted mainly minority and underrepresented students and helped them adjust from high school to a college level engineering curriculum. Would this be an example of what you speak of? (Also, even though I am a white male I am a member of the National Society of Black Engineers)
Or do you mean I need to paint a picture of how my unique experiences will add and grow the culture that is HBS?
Phil
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19 Mar 2012, 10:46
