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Hi, I was wondering if you could give me some review/insight for a HBS 2+2 application with a 710 GMAT score

21, male, French

Undergrad :

Top French school for political science (n°1 in France, top 5 in Europe, most certainly known by HBS) : GPA equivalent 3.7

One-year study abroad at Johns Hopkins (poli sci & international studies) : 3.76 GPA

Grad :

M.A. in International Security at the same French School, same grade (about 3.7 GPA equivalent)

Experience :

1 month summer internship at a research center as assistant to a professor (sophomore year)

5 month part-time at a corporate foundation financed by major French industrial groups, mostly from the aerospace/defense sector

6 months full-time at the leading European aerospace & defense company, within the Strategy department, working on emerging markets

MAYBE (soon to be negociated) 6 months parti-time at a consultancy firm focusing on government-driven industries (and mostly aerospace/defense)

Extracurricular :

Played European handball for 10 years at a competitive level (even national competition when I was a teenager). Team captain several seasons. Amateur level though (but I doubt HBS knows European handball that well)

Group manager for a student project. Project was for the foundation in which I later interned, and involved research, meetings, experts interviews, and an oral presentation of the final report (which I did).

In charge of everything defense-related at a student-led international affairs magazine for 1 year


Language :

French (fluent)
Russian (advanced)

GMAT : 710

Career goal/explaination for MBA : want to get into the business side of the Aerospace & Defense industry.

Essay : talking about how I think better integration/partnerships between European A&D firms will help gain competitiveness and get Europe out of its industrial and economical downfall, and how I think young leaders should have a role in this process.
A short paragraph about how I got through a serious illness and still managed to have a good academic year, and what it taught/brought me.

Thank you for your insights/evaluation !

Hi,

I'm an Indian female, 24 years old. I'd like some feedback on my profile. Here are some details:

1. Academics:
a. GMAT: 770 (Q50 V45)
b. Grad & post-grad: completes a 5 year dual degree program called MBA(Tech) from a reputed B school in India. The degree includes both B Tech (in Information Technology) and MBA-tech (I did a double major in Finance & Marketing). My GPA is 3.6/4.0
c. School (10th and 12th CBSE): 92%

2. Work experience:
a. I have been working with a digital marketing/tech MNC as a part of the business development team for 2 years. I've recently quit my job in June 2013. I have done very well during my time there and have handled clients from across the globe.
b. I have also interned in companies like PwC and TCS during college
c. My goal is to work for the Discovery Channel or for a luxury brand in a marketing role, preferably digital marketing

3. Extra-curriculars:
a. Love playing sports; have been a district level tennis player
b. I have been associated with an NGO that works for women empowerment- I help plan and manage their projects. Was also a part of the rotaract club and the Social Responsibility Forum when I was in college. A part of my long term goal is to set up a home for for the elderly people who have been mistreated/abandoned by their families, an example of which I've seen up close as a child.

4. Leadership:
a. Have held positions of responsibility all throughout my college time, was the Head of Placement Committee, Cultural committee and Media relations Committee.
b. I have spearheaded a lot of projects at work, including the marketing and promotion campaigns and domain monetization campaigns.
c. Have hired, trained and mentored new talent for my team- had complete responsibility for them

Here are my questions:
1. Since I'm currently not working, I'd like to know what I can pursue next so I can ensure admission into a top B School. Should I look for another job or continue with my old job (to maintain continuity) or do full time NGO work in India or abroad?
2. I'd like to do a full time MBA in marketing from a top school, but will the fact that I've already done a technology oriented MBA hamper my chances?
3.My target schools are Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and Columbia. Do I have a good chance of getting into any one of these in R2?

I'd really appreciate your help. Thanks!

Hi, thanks for writing in. I personally have no experience with applicants to the 2+2, however I will check with my colleagues to see if anyone else does. From what I see, you seem to be a strong candidate - good grades, decent GMAT, your goals are clear and relate well to your previous experience and studies. I like the suggested content of the essay, it really all sounds spot-on. In your recommendations and resume, you'll want to highlight the leadership aspect as best you can, have your recommenders talk about leadership potential and your ability to influence, motivate, initiate, convince others to effect change etc. without being in a traditional leadership position. The sports is great - shows you have a competitive nature and are well diversified.

Good luck!!

Joy

Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

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Hi, to add to what I wrote above, I spoke with a 2+2 alum, who said that in recent years HBS has been accepting more tech/science people than before to this program and less humanities. As well, while HBS expects that at least 20-30% of those accepted will defer for up to 5 years to gain additional work experience, if you have a solid plan to come back to HBS after 2 years that would be best. Finally, one of HBS's concerns has been that 2+2 students will feel out of place, especially when older students comment that they are too young to make meaningful contributions. So to allay those concerns, you should demonstrate that you have a lot to contribute from an industry, competency or personal perspective and can hold your own against people with more work experience.

Hope that helps!

Joy
Senior Application Consultant
Aringo.com

Free, detailed MBA chances calculator
Admission tips and scholarship info per school
Plan your application content (free online tool)
Get an initial assessment







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Hi Joy,

Thank you for the amazing feedback you have been giving to all the GMATClub Members, Just read a few of them and was inspired to chip in with my details

Personal:
Male 28 Years

Academics:
GMAT: 690 (Q 49, V 34)
Masters in Management from a Tier 2 University (Human Resources Majors)
Bachelors in Commerce(Accounting)

Work experience:(Will complete 4 Years by applications)
Currently working with a Retail Distributor as a Brand Manager for a Cosmetics and Skincare brand, Pan India. Lead a team of Beauty Consultants.
International Work Experience with a leading Retail Chain as an Assistant Buyer for 11 Countries in Middle East(Dubai).
Assistant Merchandiser for a leading Indian Retailer in India.
Have an experience of working with people from different backgrounds and diverse cultures.
Shifted industry within six months of post grad degree(was very difficult to convince people to hire me in a Marketing Role)

Extra-curriculars:
Almost NIL
Except for paticipating in College plays and Dance( Undergrad years)

Confused regarding school choices.
Applying to ISB, Oxford(SAID), LBS

Thinking of Johnson, Tepper, Duke, Penn State and INSEAD.

For which schools I will be competitive candidate, competitive-to-strong competitive to stretch and stretch candidate?

POST MBA Goals : Luxury Retail or Consumer Goods Industry(Basically Marketing Profile / Marketing Consultancy)

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks

I would sincerely appreciate an honest critique of my current profile and targeted schools/programs. Thank you very much.

US Male, American Born Chinese
Age 25
Undergrad: Topish Liberal Arts School (Colgate, Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette etc...)
Major: BS Biology BA Economics
GPA: 3.4 Overall, 3.5 Biology, 3.8 Economics
GMAT: First Score 690 (47 Quant, 38 Verbal) Second Score 660 (50 Quant, 29 Verbal) 6.0 AWA both times, 8 IR first time, 5 IR second time
Work Experience- 2-3 years- Investment Banking Internship at Middle Market Firm, Analyst at SK-China Real Estate (Property acquisition and management), Portfolio Management Analyst at MetLife China
Leadership Roles in College and NPO
Work Experience in both USA and China
Learned how to read and write Chinese in just a year (Goal was to be able to read a Chinese newspaper within a year) and lived in China for 2 years, Did not previously know Chinese even though I am a Chinese Born American
Personally invests in both US and Chinese Stock Markets

Goals: To get a solid financial education given my science background and work in areas like Healthcare or Cleantech IB/PE (Like I did during my banking internship) but with China, Chinese financial opportunities (Capital raising, project/deal sourcing, etc....), work at a managerial level for a Clean tech/Waste management firm, or any new possible areas I may find interesting during the course of my MBA education.

Targeted Programs: Wharton Chinese Lauder Program, UC Berkeley MBA+Masters Public Health Mgmt or MBA+Master International Relations, Duke MBA+Master of Eniv Mgmt, Columbia, NYU Stern, and Dartmouth (The latter 3 are just full time MBA programs)

Hi Joy,
Thanks so much for your feedback and the link, helped a lot

Hi Joy,

Thank you for all of the feedback and analysis. I wanted to see if you would be able to provide your perspective if you think I should take the GRE again. I am aiming to get into the top 5-10 MBA schools (Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Wharton, etc.) I would love to aim to get into MIT as my background is very quant focused, but please advise if you think my GRE score is too low or if I should take it again?

I am taking the GRE as I was planning on going to graduate school, but I have decided business school is the route I want to go.

1. Background: 27 year old Asian Male, born in China, but moved to the US at the age of 6.

2. College: 3.7/4.0 GPA from University of Louisville, Fraternity President, VP of Education for Interfraternity Council, Board member for Fraternity Council Campus Wide, On the alumni advisory board still to date, Honors Society

3. GRE: Verbal 155 (66%), quant (93%), awa 78%

4. Work Experience: Consulting & Leveraged Finance, currently at a debt organizations group originally a startup of 4 investment professional now over 10

5. Ultimate Goal: To go into technology healthcare, my background with consulting and finance has worked closely with hospitals and the healthcare system and I am passionate about helping to reform the future of healthcare using technology

6. Extra Curricular: Healthcare Philanthropy (Board), Asian American Philanthropy, Softball, Startup Networking Group

Thank You!

Hi Joy - thanks for responding. My quant score was 166 (94%). I used the ETS converter and my GRE Verbal and Quant score translates to a 670 on the GMAT. I had actually originally took the GMAT; however, after two attempts, my GMAT scores were drastically lower than what I was striving for. In contrast, I performed significantly better on the GRE. I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

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