We will be collecting all our profile evaluations and application review responses posted at GMATClub and other forums under the MyMBAAdmit thread to provide a single resource for our readers.25-year old Chinese American with exemplary professional achievements and extracurricular activities but lower GMAT/undergraduate GPA at engineering program assesses chances at HBS and Wharton.Applicant:Age:25
Nat'l: Chinese American
Sex: Male
Education: BS Mechanical Engineering - Penn State University, 3.34/4.00 GPA
GMAT: 660 - taking again May 2010, hoping to get a bit higher after 2 month study plan.
Extra Curriculars In School
1) Elected Officer of Engineering Undergraduate Council - 2 years
2) Committee volunteer of the Penn State Dance Marathon - 4 years
3) Led a team to achieve Best Engineered Design award by peoples choice for a Siemens Building Technologies design competition (10 team competition at final stage, boiled down from 30 teams). - 1 year
4) Participated and gained certification in the Professional Development Program - 1 year
Work Experience
General Electric Company:
Operations Management Leadership Program - GE (2 years)
Gained experience across 4 locations around the US within a GE Supply Chain and Services business.
Lean Operations Specialist for GE Aviation's new manufacturing facility in China. (since July 2009, current job)
Selected for the global assignment where I am "wearing multiple hats".
**Overall, I am taking on the tough international assignment and delivering consistent results through team work, project leadership, and personal dedication to help the business succeed. I expect to be rated in the top 20% of my pay band across the entire business - either way I think I have a bright future here, I don't NEED HBS/Penn to progress in my current situation. I do however think I bring a lot of value to an HBS case study environment, or a Penn general management class environment and will benefit even more from collaborating with the caliber of people at these schools**
Extra Curricular Post Grad
Note: I have not been in the same physical location for more than 6 months but have been involved in every place as much as possible. Hence the lack of progressive roles within the same group.
1) Elementary School Math Tutor - 6 months
2) Junior Achievement Tutor - 3 months
3) Executive Committee Member at GE, March of Dimes, March for Babies, lead marketing campaign to grow internal donations, team exceeded previous years total during 2009 recession - 4 months.
4) Multiple United Way / GE Volunteers events, 4 events total over 2 years (participant/volunteer).
5) Volunteer English tutor - China - 3 months
6) Currently taking formal lessons to learn Chinese Mandarin to an intermediate level.
Personal Interests:
Really enjoying reading now (didn't use to like it at a young age)
golf, healhy foods, general fitness, socializing on weekends, sports fanatic, traveling and learning different cultures.
My main question is do I even stand a chance at a Top 5? I have little ability to build an alternate transcript given my location. And I will strive to go 700+ on the GMAT but if I don't, should I let that stop me from applying? Please realize that applying with confidence will be important as I believe I may lose momentum in my career here by asking to return to school full time - hence I don't want to apply unless I have solid confidence. Maybe it helps that I'm Chinese American coming from a manufacturing / operations environment? Most Asians applicants come from banking & IT yes?
One more thing... I believe I want to stay in the general management / operations track but am also interested in testing the waters on the turnaround/restructuring side of Private equity in the long term. I can bring a lot of value to a PE group with a portfolio of companies that they want to improve operationally then sell as I gain more experience. Maybe a McKinsey for a few years to get ready??
Let me know what you think about my chances for HBS and Penn application for FA2011 entry (2010 application)?
Thanks so much,
hbs hopeful
My MBA Admit:Hi JWThbs,
Let's assess your profile from three perspectives - academic, professional and personal.
Professionally, it sounds like you are doing well. Being part of a selective leadership program, positive comments from your bosses, quantifiable achievements and multiple examples of leadership and teamwork demonstrate a strong career, and will help convince the AdCom of your ability to continue performing well in other professional opportunities during your summer internship and after MBA.
From an extracurricular perspective, it helps that you can show a consistent pattern of involvement since undergrad. It speaks well of you to have stayed involved in varied activities, although you have relocated multiple times.
All MBA programs, especially top schools, look for academic history for two reasons - one, whether you can keep up with your classmates, both in the classroom and during job interviews. Two, for a more immediate assessment of how you stack up against others being admitted to the same class. Considering the common range at HBS and Wharton for GMAT and GPA, yours is a little on the low side.
You have several ways to mitigate this:
One, from a transcript assessment, it sounds like you only performed poorly in one semester where you were overloaded on classes, and even with that, you only scored one C. You can explain the circumstances surrounding this one semester in your optional essay and mention other instances, such as at work, where you have had the opportunity to strengthen your quantitative skills. To take it a step further, you can also proactively enroll in calculus/statistics classes online or at a local community college - this will not only help convince the AdCom of your ability to take responsibility and make efforts to improve, but will also help you to keep up in your first semester.
Two, completing a degree in 4 years when it takes others 4.5 is a definite positive. Use this factor, as well as your AP classes, as further proof of your academic abilities.
Three, how does your cumulative GPA compare to your major GPA, your senior GPA, or without that one bad semester GPA? My guess is it will be higher, and if so, it's further proof that you do have strong academic abilities.
Four, I would definitely recommend taking the GMAT again, especially for your target programs and since you have plenty of time. Prepare wisely by giving special focus to areas that were your weakness the first time. If you like, I can recommend inexpensive online classes from our partners that have been proven to help GMAT scores.
With regard to your soft skills, use both your professional and extracurricular activities to demonstrate that you do have the necessary personal attributes to be a strong fit. Good recommendation letters will also provide a valuable third-party perspective And you are right, your ethnic diversity, especially in manufacturing, and being a young achiever will be other factors in your favor, especially at HBS that likes younger applicants.
In summary, I think your age, community involvement, diversity and professional achievements will help improve your chances at HBS and Wharton. Use the time till you apply to work on my recommendations above to ensure that your academic history does not hamper your application either.
Feel free to drop us a line at
mbaconsult@mymbaadmit.com once you are done with the GMAT. At My
MBA Admit, we help you develop a complete application that doesn't just include strong essays, relevant letters of recommendation, and a polished resume, but interview practice, business communication and career counseling as well.
I have personally worked with applicants who have a similar profile to yours. To learn more about how we can help, check out our
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