Hi there!
We can handle your curve-ball
In fact, lots of interesting points and strengths! Your GMAT is excellent. I assume/hope you have a good verbal score (ideally higher than 35 raw score)? That is important, especially for Harvard where communication skills are so important. Your academic background sounds strong too. I do think one question you'll need to address in your applications is how your past Master's degree influences your decision to pursue your MBA and why you need both to do what you want to do.
Your work history is certainly interesting, but I see lots of good things. B-schools value military applicants because of the leadership and adaptability required. I also like that you did the rotational leadership program at your current company and it sounds like you have some great impact to point to. I think the jump to a startup may need some more explanation via your essays. E.g., What were you drawn to? What did you learn during that time?
Extracurriculars look strong. And if you're right about the # of applicants from your country, that is definitely a differentiator and should help your chances.
So overall I think you're in good shape, you just need to be very skillful in how you pull together your story and address some of these questions that the adcom will have about your career moves. As far as schools, I like Tuck for you too that seems like a good fit, and the others make sense too. HBS could still be a stretch, but give it a shot, I think you have many of the qualities they are seeking.
Good luck, and keep us posted if we can help with anything else!
Kate
Captain89 wrote:
Hey there! I'm going to throw you a real curve-ball with my profile! So many random diversity-adding factors I'm having a hard time estimating my chances.
Target schools: HBS, Tuck (my dream), CBS, Yale, Cornell
Age: 28 at matriculation
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marital status: Married for 3 years.
Nationality: Northern European, from a country that only sends 0-3 applications across ALL top 10 schools per year.
GMAT: 740, healthy split
Education:
- Bachelor of military science, Army academy (Think Westpoint). Graduated top 30% of my class. Major Strategy, minor Leadership. Specialization Logistics.
- Master of business intelligence and information management. Graduated with 7.899/10 --> Translates into 3.9 US GPA according to the official transcript.
Professional background:
- 2 years as a Lieuetenant in a logistics company. Platoon commander. Higher than normal responsibilities as I also trained my superior officers to use the newly implemented complex logistics system. Trained soldiers going into operations abroad.
- Left the military to work full-time for a CPG-startup as a COO (pro-bono). 14 months. Made high impact and have measurable proof. Productivity went up by over 20%.
- Simultaneously worked part-time for a market research company for their international and government clients to gain knowledge in business.
- After my master's degree I have been working for a Fortune 10 Oil-company. 2 years in matriculation. Rotational leadership fast-track program.
Have had a lasting impact through leading a project that seeks to increase the overall capacity of the company through technology.
Extracurriculars:
- Worked in supporting WW2-veteran rights for years. Have planned and organised fundraisers and held speeches.
- Lions club for over 4 years. Have organised a fundraiser to raise money for ALS-patients.
- Founder and President of my university's management consulting club.
- Travelled to 61 countries, speak 4 languages.
- Avid hiker and nature enthusiast
Short term plans: Transition into MBB management consulting (turning focus on my expertise (Oil/energy, project management etc.) asap
Long term plans: Move into greentech
So to recap: Applicant from a very rare country with army officer background who has startup-experience and now works in oil/energy with a twist of specializing in business tech (NOT IT!)