dodger wrote:
education:
- 3.5/4.00 GPA humanities double-major (Top 10% from top Canadian university i.e. McGill/University of British Columbia/University of Toronto, graduated with top distinction) including 2 commencement awards for highest graduating senior in Foreign Languages and Literature
- MA in International Relations/Area Studies from Top Ivy (HYP) with master's thesis; 5 summer grants for research project including year-long post-graduation overseas research project with full funding
- presented working papers at several conferences throughout Europe; while in grad school, departments editor of one journal, editor in chief of another with visilibity in NYC/DC
work and internship exp:
- while in grad school, two 2 month internships overseas at the UN/OECD/World Bank/OSCE/Red Cross; one for policy, second for research
- finance management program at market leading F500 in Europe (i.e. Google/Microsoft/P&G/Unilever/Johnson&Johnson/GE) with next role likely in corporate strategy finance (1 year WE so far, will be applying within 2-3 years from now); assume positive contributions and likely 1 promotion by time of application
community activities
- trustee for local nonprofit ($3 million USD budget) for socially disenfranchised that assists with employment and developing roles within community - my responsibilities: maintaining financial budgets and strategic planning (3 years exp at point of application)
- treasurer for international human rights organization; responsibilities include fiscal oversight and budget planning (3 years exp at point of application)
qualifications/tests
- fully CPA/CIMA/CMA/ACA/ACCA qualified at time of application
- all 3 levels of CFA qualified
(partial qualifications on both so far)
- GMAT 760 Q50/V44, 6.0
personal intangibles(?)
- East Asian Canadian
- native English, professional proficiency (with certification) in 3 European languages, conversational French
- since college, lived/studied/worked in 6 foreign countries for a total of 9 years at point of application
schools
looking mostly at joint MBA & Kennedy School MPP degrees
- Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, Dartmouth, MIT
- Yale (strong nonprofit program)
why MBA?
interested in joint degree as would like to pursue consulting for 2 years with a public sector focus and transition to international development or public-private partnerships.
In addition to appraising my chances, could you kindly: i) suggest how I can strengthen my candidacy as I will be applying within 3 years' time; ii) interpret how much age will be a negative factor for the aforementioned schools was I will be 32-34 at the time of application; and iii) suggest any safety schools that I might want to consider, given the cutthroat competitiveness of the schools I've listed.
Many thanks, and happy new year!
You're welcome, and happy new year to you too.
It is a little difficult say when most people would complete masters at 24-25 and working 4 years would make them 28. I feel like I am missing information. Age is not supposed to affect admissions, but levels of work experience do. So will you apply with 4 year of work experience or 8? If the latter, it can really hurt you at schools like
Stanfordand
HBS. If you were in the military for several years, then your experience will be valued and age really won't play a role. Your chances at the other programs on your list are strong.
You may also want to consider
London Business Schooland
INSEAD. For a safety program, consider
Georgetown.
Regards,
Linda
Best,
Linda
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03 Jan 2011, 05:12
