Profile evaluation please!
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11 Nov 2011, 16:56
I'd like to request an evaluation of my profile at this point in my career; I'd like to add that I have yet to write my GMAT, and would like to know a ballpark figure to be competitive at my target schools as well as an evaluation of the other intangibles.
I am currently 23 years old and am hoping that it would be appropriate to apply for Round 1 2012 (at age 24), during my final/senior year. I am currently not in school due to work duties explained below as well as an illness, and have yet to graduate. I am also a Canadian citizen.
GPA:
3.4-3.6 at the time of desired application. Had a 3.0 in first year, and have maintained almost a 3.9 since.
Undergrad:
York University in Toronto. Science and Technology Studies (3-Year B.A.) The program focuses on the development of technology. I have been in and out of school part time for the past 5 or so years because I have been employed full-time. I have also paid my way through school. I will be graduating in April 2013. I am hoping it would be appropriate to apply at 24 and enter at 25 with 7 years of experience.
Work Experience:
In high school started 2 successful online businesses, trading both sports memorabilia and later high-end sporting goods. Networked and did business with many of the largest memorabilia dealers in North America at age 13 and 14. Contacts I developed through this business provided access into sporting goods. Earned over $2,000 per month during high school this way.
5 years full-time in real estate development and management corp. Served as assistant general manager since 2007, working 6 day per weeks for the past 3 years. Had hired and managed 25 independent contractors. Coordinated, managed, and maintained $10 million in assets; generated an average of $1.3 million in annual revenue. Hired and supervised consulting engineers, architects, and contractors for ~$1.5 million in projects. I also introduced various scheduling and incentive models that increased overall revenue by 4% (~$40,000) in one year.
I have since made the transition into producing and distributing interior architectural products, something I had very good knowledge of through managing construction and renovation projects. My father owns a large factory that utilizes much of the machinery needed, so the transition was natural. I have since had another machine customized and built valuing $30,000. I will be the only company in Canada to produce the materials utilized in production all the way through to the final product itself. My cost is roughly 50% of that of the top competitors, with much stricter quality control. This company will be incorporated in the coming weeks. I have also designed a patent, where I will utilize a unique feature in the product design. I will be the owner of the patent as well, which is in the process of being filed. I am also in the process of testing for national certification. All of this should be completed in the coming few months.
Extra Curricular:
Started and managed an initiative to clean up polluted regions of a local moraine. Worked with partner (currently studying law at U of Miami), since 2005 (11th grade) until 2010. Have personally contributed over 300 hours of service (mostly during high school), while the initiative has contributed over 2,500 hours from a total of 45 volunteers. Until 2007 I had also contributed 200 hours at hockey schools helping children aged 10 and under.
Played Junior 'A' hockey in Canada until 2006, and again briefly in December 2008- February 2009. I had to quit because of a 4th concussion. It was also increasingly difficult to manage athletics, academics, and work simultaneously. My schedule was completely jammed and it was only manageable because of the Christmas holidays.
Misc.:
Bilingual; English and Russian.
Up until now I have done the best with the opportunities that I've had, and worked in industries that I was able to enter. Ideally, I would like to pass this company off to my father or another family member as a token of good will. I would prefer to apply my skills in a job or industry that I am more passionate about. For this reason I am looking for a career change that I will elaborate on in the future.
My Hopeful List (in sequence):
Harvard
Stanford
M.I.T.
NYU
Berkeley
Cornell
I’m most concerned about two things: applying as a senior and not a graduate, and my degree only being a 3-year B.A.. I feel that this will be the appropriate time to apply based on where I am in my professional career and where I will be. Had my work duties not have been so heavy I would have already graduated, and will be graduated months before potentially entering at age 25. I also know that many schools frown upon 3-year bachelor degrees but I am not sure if the same is said about Canadian 3-year bachelor degrees. I can potentially complete the 4-year Honours B.A. but that would take another year. Any critiques or opinions would be welcomed.
Thank You!
Eric