futureceo2014 wrote:
Hello!
I am a 24 year old female hoping to apply to b-schools in the near future (Primarily looking at Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, Yale, Cornell, Michigan, Chicago, Northwestern and the likes). Since graduating from college, I realized I enjoy strategy-based work - especially after contrasting the work in my day job versus some of the work I have done for my own ventures. I enjoy solving problems and making an impact. Based on my conversations with others in the field, I think consulting is a good fit for me going forward.
I graduated with a 3.46 gpa in finance from a top undergraduate b-school. GMAT = 730. Currently, I work in Corporate Banking. I have been recognized as a top analyst and am heavily involved around the firm. I'll have about two years of experience during the time of application.
Outside of work, I like to keep busy with the limited extra time I have. I started a global non-profit with a team based in 7 different countries. My organization has achieved significant recognition in various publications around the world. In addition, I am co-founding a unique tech application - although there is much work left to do in this project.
Random fun facts: I have previously worked for and been published in a global magazine as a freelance writer. I recently authored a book on understanding non-profits from a business perspective. I used to be editor-in-chief of my B-school's publication.
I am also a former global pageant title holder.
Any thoughts on how I can improve my candidacy and other schools I should look into? Is my GPA a large concern? What else can I improve?
As long as your GPA has an upward trend and your did well in your business classes, your GPA is not a concern. I am a little concerned that your amount of work experience is on the low end, although qualitatively it looks good. So if you apply and aren't accepted, don't be upset. Just do it again next year. You certainly have a chance. I suggest you consider Stanford, Yale, Wharton, Cornell Johnson, Darden, and Tuck.
Things to improve: Just keep on doing what you're doing! If there were extenuating circumstances that contributed to a drop in grades somewhere during undergrad, make sure the admissions readers know about it. That context is important and your GPA isn't that low anyway.
If you'd like
help with your MBA applications, please let me know.
Best,
Linda