FusciaCricketI am new to taking over profile reviews for Stratus and see that this is a few months old. But your story touched me, and I am kind of wondering how things turned out this year. To be 21 and have to deal with a mom with late stage cancer is such a heavy load to carry- and regardless of your MBA options- just as one human to another reading that-- I want you know that I am deeply touched thinking of what that must have meant to you during college and I send sincere prayers that your mom's health can somehow improve. Sometimes on a focused board like this for GMAT we can put things in boxes and say this is all professional and not human- but I can't live that way- I am a human in every place- and when I read this I am already rooting for you. I have an admissions background and I suspect other humans working in admissions would say the same.
OK and now to your questions- I am thinking that applying R3 is hard no matter what your situation. I am very curious how did it go? I would say since you are light on work experience you had more traction in the 2+2 program at Harvard that is designed more for your situation than Stanford where you applied to regular program. My thoughts are...and that of course is only if you are not already sitting in a b school classroom in the fall - is that maybe you should also look to schools in major media centers like NY or LA so Stern and Columbia come to mind and also UCLA. You will need to be in major media markets to make the connections you seek so that is another way to go if for some reason Harvard and Stanford are not the routes you choose. The other thing I'd say is that you might get more financial support in R1 applications. Our firm would love to have a free consult with you if that is still something that you are looking to do. Go to our website at StratusPrep.com and look for free consult. The other thing is that the 2.7 GPA can be managed if written without excuse or blame but just stating that your mother's cancer took a drain on your ability to give college full focus and certainly your GMAT score supports that doing the work will not be an issues. I'm so impressed with your big goals in media and with your maturinty in having to deal with many things most people don't have to think about until middle age. I say this from the heart- truly- best wishes and please let us know if we can help!FusciaCricket wrote:
For the past two years my mother has been battling an aggressive form of cervical cancer (late stage). It's really put a significant strain on her, myself and my family (i.e. severe mental strain, financial constraints from medical bills, academics, livelihood). I fear about the future, but I'm trying to stay hopeful for everyone. I would love a critique of my candidacy for a deferred MBA. I plan on apply to Harvard Business School (2+2) and Stanford GSB. Applying for R3 in April.
Post-MBA I'd like to enter the New Media/Content Creation industry. Focusing on the Netflix/Hulus of the world, as well as, independent ventures separate from the major production firms. I'm also really intrigued with new media tech, particularly virtual reality (VR) innovations, Oculus, etc. I'm hoping to leverage the MBA experience into a future career as a film exec. (don't know in what sort of capacity) and I believe having a business foundation would be helpful. I think my path is non-traditional, I'm not a banker or consultant so...
Senior at Top 15-20 University
Black (Afro-Latina/Dominican)
Female, Age 21
740 GMAT (will retake gmat llate February for a hopeful 760+)
2.7 grade point average (due to mental stress with mother's cancer; I also have a documented illness that causes strain for me - would these factors make up for the GPA? Even slightly?)
Theater Major, Computer Science Minor
Writing Honors Thesis
Work
Focused on a few amateur film projects and theater production with students early in college. Interned at Google my Junior Summer (FT offer but declined as I disliked the role and wanted to be closer to my family post-graduation). Currently, doing freelance editorial work for a top publication (think Vogue/Allure)
Side Projects
Was a Theater Kid throughout college. Heavily involved in college productions.
Won major awards for fictional writing and essay contests (national recognition)
Lots of Activism and Leadership
Haven't settled on post-graduation stuff. I'm trying to live near my mother. But, I've secured employment at a few independent/indie film production companies and could likely extend my work for the publication company I'm freelancing for (it's not a paid gig, fyi)