Hello!
Yes, the diversity you bring to a b-school will be attractive. I also think your personal story and experience taking over your father's business will be really compelling and will show great leadership.
Has anything improved in your application since last year, aside from the slightly higher GMAT? It's great you gave the test another shot, but I think that will still be a concern for top 15 US Schools. So perhaps add in a couple schools in the 20-25 range? Either that or mixing in some schools in Canada or UK should help improve your chances. Also, check out a school like Babson in the US that is very focused on entrepreneurship and definitely open to international applicants.
Good luck!
Kate
oludayo wrote:
Please evaluate my profile;
Male
27years old
International student from Africa (I have noticed this is an advantage as most schools like to be considered diverse)
GMAT; 630 (yeah I know its low. this is my second attempt so not sure if I can really improve on this within the time frame to make 2016/2017 application deadline)
Work experience; Chartered accountant with over 4years working with one of the big 4 accounting firms here in Africa
Professional qualification; ACCA. (won an award for one of the top 100 exam results in the world)
Extra-curricular - Help out with a few charities (educational based and welfare based charity)
Differentiating factor - Grew up with two parents, both entrepreneurs. Spent summers working with both parents (small scale businesses) but grew to love my fathers accounting practice hence I became an accountant. Unfortunately he recently passed away hence I was responsible for the practice he left behind. Took some time off work and tidied up the practice (this shows my first hand experience working as an entrepreneur). I want an MBA (preferably but not compulsorily from an Ivy league) to equip me with the necessary enterpreneural and management skills needed to come back home and take control of his business. Based on my experience of boths parents businesses, I will also like to set up a consulting arm aimed at assisting small and medium scale businesses.
Schools aiming for (in order of importance) - (1) Any top tier school (Top 15) in the USA (2)Any top tier/second tier canadian business school (3) any top tier/second tier UK business school.
NB; I applied and got waitlisted to 2 schools which were in the top 15 last year with a 620 gmat score. Unfortunately I didnt get into any