fvilhena wrote:
Hi,
I'd really appreciate if you could evaluate my profile as I am non typical applicant. I intend to apply in the first and second rounds of the next application season.
1) GMAT Score 720 (Q46 V42 AWA 5)
2) Background
Male, 30 years old, from South America.
3) Academics
Attended one of the best universities in my country. Majored in Economics.
Graduated as one of the best 3 in my class. Converted GPA: 3.45
4) Professional information
6 years of working experience.
Entrepreneur.
Founded and operated a small coffee shop chain (with around 50 employees) that I have just sold after receiving multiple offers from competitors. Actually, we will have the contracts signed by the end of the next two weeks. Great articles were published in newspapers and magazines about my company.
5) Professional Goals
Entrepreneurship in finance.
I am currently working on some ideas that I would like to pursue after b-school or after working some years if I feel that I need more experience and good contacts.
6) Extracurriculars
Pro bono consulting for small companies
Some community activities
7) Targeted Schools
HBS, Stanford – Are they reasonable reaches? Will my age harm my chances of acceptance on these schools?
Wharton, Booth, Tuck, Columbia, Kellogg, Yale, MIT
I don't see HBS as likely because of your age, but I have helped wildly successful entrepreneurs overturn that statistic before (HBS likes the wildly successful - but you do need to prove that you need their education). Because of your South American ethnicity, you are in a smaller applicant pool so that will also help your applications. Be sure to focus more on the education and experience you are hoping to gain and less on the "good contacts" in your essays so that the programs do not doubt your intention to do the class and project work. And once the sale goes through, find something to do with a big impact during the subsequent months instead of spending it relaxing on a beach; this will further demonstrate your drive to work and grow.
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