MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Status:Admissions Expert
Affiliations: Founder, Amerasia Consulting Group
Posts: 1081
Given Kudos: 264
Re: Profile Evaluation Please...Thanks Paul
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17 Aug 2010, 00:20
Patrick:
As you know, your GMAT is low. My rule of thumb is that you want to be within 20 points of the schools average. This is only if you are NOT from an overrepresented demographic. keep in mind about 25% of Harvard's incoming class this year will have GMAT scores of 760 or above. if you can get a 740 you should be fine.
Congrats on the CFA. That is pretty much one of the hardest tests you will ever take your life. Her with respect to how it helps your application, make sure to frame it is something that will be an asset to your classmates. Meaning, that you will be able to help your future colleagues at business school with studying for their own CFA exams. I called this concept of "parallelism." Meaning, that you take initiative that the school could offer its students, such as CFA prep through a club, and you show how you will use that tool to contribute to the collective experience of all students.
What I need a better explanation for our any leadership experiences and your bank or as an undergraduate. That is what the schools are you looking for. If you read the essays, you will see that they are repeatedly banging on the leadership drum. you have to come to the table with this depth of leadership. otherwise do not apply. you can derive this experience from undergraduate leadership activities, philanthropic activity and of course professional activities.
The classes at Harvard Extension are not going to move the needle much. Your GPA is fine, so it does not address that issue. Perhaps you feel that it will allow you to express that you have a knowledge of the Harvard learning environment. This is true. However, if you take a look at Harvard's essays, there is not a lot of room to explain "why Harvard?" This is because you really do not need to explain "why Harvard?" Harvard knows they are your number one choice, it's not exactly a hard sell. So, again, the Harvard extension classes will not be a deciding factor.
Your goals are in line with the current work experience. I would make sure that you connect your personal passions or philanthropic pursuits with your longer-term your goals. this tells the admissions committee that you have an ideological connection to your longer-term goal, and thus is something that you plan on realizing in the long term and at a high-level. goals are something that you want to pay attention to, at most schools. However, at some schools, there is less emphasis paid on stating goals. Take a look at MIT or HBS and you will notice that both schools do not require a career goals essay. Before I get roasted, HBS does offer it as an option. With MIT, a lot of applicants confuse the cover letter for a career goals essay. This is not the case. Read interviews with the head of the MIT admissions committee.
with respect to the rest of the schools that you listed, you are pretty good grasp on how your strengths will compliment how the schools are traditionally viewed. I would be more specific what I need to know a little bit more about your leadership activities, and I could steer you clear or towards certain programs.
I hope this helps. Please let me know if you would like to set up a one-hour initial consultation. We can discuss your background at length, during this call.
Please private message me.
respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti