nouv3aux wrote:
Dear Mr. Bodine,
Thank you in advance for taking the time to evaluate my profile. I would like to know whether my profile would fit any of the top 10 schools. I am in the process of searching where I am and which school would fit me the most. Please feel free to give any advice that you might have. =)
PROFILE - Female, 25, Indonesian. I finally was able to obtain my CPA license back in October 2006. I am hoping to obtain GMAT score in high 600.
WHY MBA:
I feel that I am reaching a plateau with my 3+ years of experience.
Also, I have also an interest in both finance and non-profit area. I believe MBA would be a good path to reach my goals. I am also in the process of considering establishing a non-profit organization with my friend and my husband to help children and women in Southeast Asia.
EDUCATION
UMass Dartmouth - Accounting Major - Overall GPA:3.97/4.00
EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCES
1. Currently I am working at a mid-size public accounting firm in Massachusetts. My current position is supervisor. Some of my additional responsibilities include:
- Supervising and mentoring junior and entry-level accountants
- Participating in firm’s marketing and recruiting committees to attract new clients and fresh talents to the firm
- Preparing tax returns of various entities (corporations, trusts, partnerships, and individuals)
- Performing attestation services for clients in diverse industries (non-profit, manufacturing, constructions, and retails)
- Assisting partners in variety of non-traditional accounting engagements (valuation, forensic accounting, budgeting, and personal family administration)
2. Math and Business Tutor at UMass
- Tutoring students individually and in groups in Financial, Managerial, and Intermediate Accounting I classes
3. Teaching Assistant/Grader at UMass
- Assisting professor in grading assignments and homework for Intermediate Accounting I class
4. International Student Orientation Aide at UMass
- Assisting the Coordinator for International Students in planning and designing International Student Orientation programs
- Setting up budgets for the International Student Orientation programs
- Communicating with International Students related with pre-arrival issues
5. Orientation Leader at UMass
- Leading acquaintanceship activities among new freshmen
- Being an active participant in leadership training and personal development activities
- Serving as a role model for incoming students
ORGANIZATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
- Massachusetts Society of CPAs Marketing Committee – Member
- Ashoka: Innovators for the Public – Virtual Volunteer/ Translator
- Ten Thousand Villages – Volunteer at Retail Store
- Boston Women’s Network – Member
- MSI Legal and Accounting Network – Member
- Springwell Inc. – Money Management Program for Elderly
- Forte Foundation: Inspiring Women Business Leader – Volunteer, Member
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Member
- Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) - Member
- Economic Association at UMass– Treasurer
- UMass Dartmouth Rotaract Club – Co-founder, Treasurer, Member
AWARDS
- National Dean’s List of 2002 - 2003
- Howard F. Greene Memorial Scholarship 2003 – 2004 from New England Graduate Accounting Study Conference and Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants
- Frank Golen Award from Beta Gamma Sigma in 2002 for the highest academic achievement among new junior inductees
- American Management Association Scholarship for attending Operation Enterprise, an 8-day management training program that focuses on team building, leadership, communication, and presentation skills
- Achievement of Highest Honors in Accounting: Academic Year 2000-2001 to 2003-2004
- Book Award from Beta Gamma Sigma in 2001 for a deserving freshman entering sophomore year
CERTIFICATION
Certified Public Accountant for the State of New Hampshire
LANGUAGES: English and Indonesian
nouv3aux,
The combination of your Indonesian background, gender, and fairly intensive extracurricular/community track record is strong and unusual. Though being a supervisor is a definite asset, your professional profile seems to lack a 'wow' factor so you may not be strong enough for HBS, Stanford, Columbia. But assuming you get a high-600 GMAT I do think schools like Kellogg, Michigan, Haas, and perhaps Wharton would be good targets for you (all are highly ranked in both finance and nonprofit). It might be nice if your Southeast Asia nonprofit were to get off the ground before you applied and you connected it to your post-MBA goals in your essays.
Best of luck,
_________________
Paul Bodine /
Author, Great Applications for Business School and Perfect Phrases for Business School Acceptance
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