bz9 wrote:
Hi,
I was hopping you could evaluate my chances of gaining admission to the following schools.
Target Schools: Rochester, INSEAD, IMD, & University of Michigan
Post MBA Goals: Move into Private Equity, Investment Banking, or Consultancy
Here is my background:
Education
BA in History from a Small Liberal Arts School in the US (GPA of 3.3)
JD from a Top 50 Law School in the US (GPA of 3.04 on a 2.85 curve)
Various extra curriculars in both Undergrad and Law School, including participation on the Editorial Board of a journal at my law school.
I also participated in study abroad programs in Italy and Japan.
GMAT
Haven't taken it yet, but hope to score in the 640-680 range.
Work Experience During Law School:
During law school I had internships with a Judge, a large Japanese law firm, and the Tokyo office of a big four accounting firm.
Work Experience After Graduation:
I worked for 2 years at a boutique securities litigation firm in the United States. Specifically, I worked for a plaintiff's firm that specialized in securities class action litigation. I worked on one semi-high profile case and one very high profile case. However, as a young attorney I was limited to grunt work (i.e. reviewing documents)
For the past 8 months I have worked in the Tokyo office of a legal solutions provider. My exact role is hard to define, but basically I am the foreign guy in the office. This means I do various task including:
Account Manager for all foreign law firms in Japan
Head of all English language marketing in the Tokyo office
Head of all English language training for my companies products for both the Japanese and Korean markets
Project Manager for a legal awards ceremony to honor attorneys in Japan
Liaise with the US main office whenever issues arise.
Community Experience
During law school I worked for center that represented both start up and ongoing nonprofits
Currently participate in a church program that makes rice balls for homeless people in Tokyo
Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Other
Member of the NY Bar
Native English; Conversant in Japanese
Ok, sorry for so much information. I know that I'm probably a long shot for INSEAD unless I score better on the GMAT. As for the other schools, what do you think my chances are?
I guess my major concerns are:
1) How do they look upon attorneys?
2) Because my current work experience is so unique, will this be looked upon favorably or be a negative considering I do not have a set role?
Thanks in advance for your help
bz9,
I don't believe that B-schools have any particular "take" on lawyers any more than they do on medical doctors. A JD is certainly evidence of your intelligence and persistence, which will reflect well on you. Most of all, attorneys are very atypical applicants to business schools, so your JD will help you stand out--that's a good thing. The JD would only hurt you if you give the schools the impression that you don't know what you want to do so you are just tacking on another professional degree to mark time or for prestige purposes. Similarly, your law background will hurt if you if you are unable to show how it has shaped your post-MBA goals (which is not to say that your post-MBA goals need to be law-related). Finally, your law degree will hurt you if they conclude that your skills, as a lawyer, are "verbal" or nonquantitative. This is where your GMAT becomes crucial in proving that you can handle numbers.
Aside from your JD, your work experience is quite unusual and interesting. which again helps you--just be sure you emphasize the leadership you have been able to show in it. So if you can get a 680 GMAT or thereabouts you may have a shot at all the schools you listed if you execute properly.
Good luck,
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22 May 2006, 21:09
