mbaMissionJenK wrote:
Hi,
Thanks for posting and sharing all of that info about your background. Your GMAT and grades are solid, and your international (and language) experience is strong and interesting. It will be even more compelling it you truly are able to tie your whole story together... why the interest in Chinese language and culture and how your past plus the MBA ties to your future goals, in China, etc. What you've learned living and studying and working there, how it's influenced your perspective (that you are bringing to the class) and so on.
The job list could sound a little 'scattered' though, so your main challenge is likely tying that all together as well. Show what you've gained or learned from each experience and how it will help with your next goals. All that said, if you are essentially unemployed and just getting your start up going now, it could be risky to apply right now... of course if it really is profitable in a few months (??) that would be better. But I'd wonder about applying next year instead?? With more time to develop the company and draw from that experience etc? Just a thought. It will be tough at top 5 schools I'd say (and to be honest it's tough for most there!).
To your specific q's:
-How competitive my pool is. Obviously there are a lot of white/male/US citizens but I imagine not as many that speak Chinese, though there are plenty of Chinese students that do that on their own.
True on both fronts. Just aim to share what YOU bring to the class, in terms of perspective, that not many others can bring! I would think with what you've done and lived that you have plenty to offer on that front.
-How my extra classes will help if at all.
The extra MA classes? Not much.
-How it looks that I have an undergrad background in Biology and have never used it; to be fair I would have double majored in Biology and Chinese but the Chinese major wasnt offered until the following year.
The double major in chinese is fine, that can be the feature, not a huge issue.
-How my transcript is going to look. I took calculus through calc II (but got a C+ in that one) but dont have a single finance, accounting, or econ class under my belt, though I do have some statistics.
That is fine (to not have a business background), at least for most US schools. Though evidence of quant ability is important; can also be GMAT quant and other math/stats courses.
Let us know what other q's you have and good luck!
Jen, thank you for your response. I agree, working on my story is going to be the big part of getting me in to my target schools.
As for employment, luckily I am still gainfully employed, working full-time hours albeit remotely from an apartment halfway across the world from my boss. My own startup has a lot of overlap with what the role I currently fill, with the exception that I have had to do a lot more research and preparation. I have learned a lot and my only concern with waiting a year, other than my impatience, is that I am not sure that I will be learning many more BIG lessons that I havent already after undertaking this endeavor. The needs for an MBA are there, I will just have to really emphasize what I bring to the table, which is essentially I am a foreigner in China undertaking all my own negotiations, business plans, product design, etc and that perspective is a lot different from a Chinese entrepreneur doing the same things in their own country.
Anyway, some good thoughts to mull over.
Thanks again!
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07 Oct 2015, 07:57
