hello212 wrote:
Hello,
Can you please evaluate my profile below for full time MBA programs to start Fall 2011?
I am an early career applicant (will have 3 years of experience when I start):
3.5 undergrad GPA in Chemistry, minor in Econ from Dartmouth
760 GMAT (51Q/44V)
25 years old, Vietnamese-American male (US Citizen)
Will have 3 years of work experience in operations research consulting by the time I start next fall:
-early promotion to associate/jr. manager (< 2 years, when typical is 2-3)
-placed in the top bracket of the bonus pool each year I was employed
-currently lead project teams to deliver consulting work
-participated in sales work (presentations/conference calls)
-presented to executives/C-levels on engagements
-did some consulting gigs internationally
-took initiative and spearheaded the standardization of a number of internal organizational processes in my company (developed standard content for proposals, created technical documents for common/standard consulting projects, created process around new employee recruitment, consolidated all of the group's research findings into one database, etc.).
From an extracurricular standpoint, I do a bit of volunteer work every Saturday and Sunday. I don't put in crazy hours toward EC's due to my workload but I try to volunteer ~5 hours a week during the weekends. In college I was an executive editor of an entirely new publication so I led the entire process for my segment of the journal (recruiting editors, selecting papers, leading the editorial process, etc.). No substantial extracurriculars beyond that, however.
I'm looking into the schools below:
HBS
Wharton
Kellogg
Sloan
Columbia
Tuck
I know it's an uphill climb with only 3 years of experience. Any thoughts on my chances as I stand now, in terms of safety/reasonable/reach? As an aside, do you have any thoughts on my chances if I apply w/ 4 years of experience (by waiting an extra year)? Do you think that would matter?
Thanks for your help.
Hello 212,
I think you are applying appropriately and have a competitive profile for your target programs. If you think you can make a good case for now being the right time for you to start an MBA, most of the schools on your list, will want to hear it. Many would not even consider someone with 3 years of work experience an "early career applicant." Perhaps
Kellogg and
Tuckwould prefer one more year, but others are leaning younger, and frankly your credentials are impressive.
You might be interested in
MBA Admissions Advice for Younger Applicants.
Best,
Linda
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Linda Abraham
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