rosellecs wrote:
I am from the Caribbean island of Grenada (minority/of African descent for the most part) - now in process of becoming U.S permanent resident. I graduated from Midwestern State Univ. - small university in North TX with undergraduate GPA of 3.78/4.0 - got BBA in Business Computer Information Systems after 3 years while working 20 hrs per week. I also did internship in IS department at university in last semester. However I was very bogged down with school and work and did not go in on very consistent basis - was allowed to come in when I chose (unpaid). I am now 33 - graduated in 2001 but my work experience suffered because after graduation I struggled with anxiety/perfectionism issues - now that's behind me - took a lot from me mentally to recover. (Would it help or hurt to talk about struggle with this in essay to admissions?).
Before coming to U.S, I went to 2 year college in Caribbean and worked for 4 years there at reputable commercial bank as teller and personal banker. I am currently with Wells Fargo as technical support agent for the past year and a half. In college I was inducted into honor societies and 'Who's Who in American Universities', was signed up as student athlete tutor although did not get to tutor much, was also mentor at local high school while in university and assistant senator in my last semester for IS society. I was also on newsletter committee within Caribbean students organisation. To my chagrin, after graduation I did not get involved in any volunteer activities due to struggle with aforementioned anxiety issues.
I am interested in enrolling in a JD/MBA program to start in Fall 2008 (preferably one in which I can also incorporate IT management). Words cannot describe how overjoyed I would be if I get accepted into the Northwestern 3 year program but I don't know if that's remotely possible. I have started to study for the GMAT and is aiming for a 740+ score. I am thinking of doing some volunteer work with Boys and Girls club starting soon. (Does volunteering now look like one's doing it just to boost chances of getting into good grad school - have always wanted to do this though with the hope that I can make a difference in a kid's life). Also, would research experience be asset for admission into JD/MBA program and what's the best path to follow to acquire?
What advice would you give to me to boost my chances of getting into top schools especially Northwestern, and what other school would be good fit for me? Post MBA, I am interested in working as a corporate lawyer within a prominent U.S company where I can put my strengths of being able to focus intensely and being intuitive to work. I am interested in attaining the JD/MBA so I can have extensive legal and business knowledge to make very sound decisions. Hopefully that's a good enough reason to want an MBA.
Indiana University (Kelley) also has a 3 year JD/MBA program and is listed as No. 24 on US News top 50 business schools (2008). If Northwestern is not possible would it be advisable to aim for that school because I am interested in length of program or aim for school higher up on list and accept being in school for an extra year?
rosellecs,
Your Caribbean background and African ethnicity definitely are assets for your. But even assuming you get a high enough GMAT and LSAT score, I don't see the amount of leadership in your profile that you will need to get into an elite school like Northwestern. Indiana looks like a much better bet in my opinion.
However, by aiming for both an MBA and JD you are setting a very large hurdle for yourself. Certainly you don't need an MBA to become a corporate lawyer. I recommend that you consider whether just a JD alone would be more appropriate for you.
Talking about your anxiety issues somewhere in your essay set is a good idea, but you will want to provide hard evidence that they're behind you.
Good luck,
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13 Jul 2007, 00:38
