My Chances at Harvard - Post All Profile Evaluation Requests Here!

Hello, here are my stats:

Male, 29 years, from LATAM

Undergrad GPA: 3.79 Industrial Engineering, with Honors in prestigious university in Mexico.
Grad GPA: 4.0 MSc Engineering Management, at SMU, Dallas.
GMAT: 690 (49Q, 35V, 8IR)
TOEFL iBT: 116
WE: Over 5 years in the construction sector in a family-owned company with 500+ employees. 2 promotions since I started working.
Extracurricular Activities Strongly involved with community activities, ranging from my city's tourism council to advisor to a local university specialized in the construction sector. Extracurricular studies, including HBS Online CORe graduated with Honors. Awards include a knowledge award from the Mexican Society of Industrial Engineers.
Goals: Return to the family business, as it is an important employer in its region, one of the most hardly affected by poverty and drug cartels.


Do I have any chances at round 1 or should I really strenghten my GMAT and try round 2?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi goteiza,

Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. I really like your profile and think you have a great chance at an admit, provided you submit a strong application. While it's always safer to retake the GMAT, you have definitely shown academic strength and recommend focusing your time on the application. If you haven't started your application yet, it's difficult to submit stellar materials in support of your candidacy in 11 days (deadline), however.

Please feel free to reach out if we can be of further assistance.

Good luck!

Susan



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You certainly have a chance R1. You have excellent grades, good work experience, international exposure, leadership, and clear goals. Normally I would say raise your GMAT and apply R2 to give yourself the best chance of acceptance, but you are strong enough in other areas where I am wavering.

I think I will come down on the side of advising you to apply R2 and improving your GMAT score. That will also mean you will not have a rushed application since the deadline is so soon. I am assuming that you are reasonably confident you can raise your GMAT.

Final thought. given that you already have a masters in construction management, be prepared to address in an interview why you still need an MBA. (Hint: brand alone can't be the reason.)

You may be interested in the recording of our recent Get Accepted to Harvard Business School webinar.

If you'd like help with your MBA application, please let me know. We have someone on staff who has specializes in LATAM application to top MBA programs, including HBS.

Best,
Linda
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Dear Linda,

Is there any upper age limit ( 45+)for H/S/W and other M7, considering rest of the profile is above average?
Regards,
Basim

Posted from my mobile device

Background and nationality: 27 male from China

Undergrad Information:
Top Chinese diplomacy university, Major in English Language and Literature, Minor in International Relations
GPA: appox. 90/100 (my alma mater does not offer 4.0 scale GPA but the equivalent varies from 3.7-3.9 according to different metrics). Awarded national scholarships by Ministry of Education of China.

GMAT: 740 (Q51 V38 IR8 AW 5.5)
TOEFL: 115/120, I know most people on this forum don't need TOEFL scores but just put it as a reference

Work experience:
- (undergraduate) internship abroad at a United Nations regional hub, and Ministry of Finance of China, both working on policy analysis
- Joined one of China's policy financial institutions as client coverage officer since graduation, negotiating sovereign loans to local governments along the Belt and Road Initiative countries. Sectors are mainly focused on infrastructure, power, energy and resources.
1.1.5 years working in Beijing covering ASEAN countries
2.then fast-track promoted to regional manager on Asia and CIS (Russian-speaking countries) and worked for 2 years from Beijing, led a team and closed several deals, one of them was a Deal of the Year Award by a prestigious forum
3. relocated to Africa Office covering Eastern and Southern Africa. expected to have 1.5 years of WE upon matriculation. Lead negotiator for several mega sovereign debt restructuring (over 7bln USD) and interpreted for Company executives' meetings with African heads of states and government ministers.

Others: CFA, China CPA candidate, top employee performance award.
Traveled to over 30 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa, mostly in a professional capacity.
Official passport holder (government representative stationed abroad other than diplomats at the Embassy).

Extracurricular:
In college
- President of Debate and Public Speaking Club, won a few national and international awards
After college
- liaison officer of Chinese government poverty alleviation program to an impoverished county (each policy financier like us has been assigned a pair-up county to help reduce poverty with our resources and expertise). Helped source experts and funding for local farmers to grow certain fruits and identified early stage buyers.
- Licensed English teacher within the company, offering regular English language and interpreting/translation training to interested employees as a part of the company's staff training module
-Also speak intermediate French (B1 proficiency under EU standards)

Post MBA goals
Work as an investment officer in infrastructure at one of the nascent China-sponsored multilateral development banks

There is no official upper age limit at HBS or the M7. CBS admitted someone last year who was 51. However, while there are to my knowledge no stats publicly available on what percentage of 45+ applicants are admitted, my guess would be that it is below the overall acceptance rate. Older applicants, in addition to having the outstanding qualifications that these programs require, must also make clear that they are not depending on the school's career placement center for a job and and that they have excellent reasons for pursuing the degree a this point in time with people 20 years younger than they are when much learning is from peers.

Have you consider Stanford's MSx program or MIT's or LBS' Sloan Fellows programs? these are full-time programs for more experienced mid-career professionals.

You might be interested in the following:

MIT Sloan Fellow, User Experience Expert, and Busy Mom
MIT Sloan EMBA and Sloan Fellows Programs: Move from Success to Significance
The Stanford MSx Program for Experienced Leaders
Too Old for an MBA? Check Out 3 Outstanding MBA and EMBA Alternatives ( a little old, but still valuable.)

Best,
Linda
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Hi David,

Impressive.

You have a competitive profile for HBS and other elite programs. If you'd like help with your MBA applications, please let me know.

Best,
Linda
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davidfeng you have a solid profle. An investment officer as short term goal post-MBA is fine. I would try to have a more ambitious goal especially if you're targeting HBS. I'd highlight your experience involved in tough debt restructuring negotiationsand experience outside your comfort zone in Africa. It is important to connect why you need an MBA to take on investment role at development bank and how HBS will help you achieve that goal. Wish you the best
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Dear Linda,

Thanks a lot for showing the silver lining.
Will appreciate if you can share Any other story of 45 + HBS admit .

Best Regards,
Basim.

Posted from my mobile device

Hi Basim,

We've had clients admitted in their 30's, but we haven't worked with a 45+ applicant to HBS .

Best,
Linda
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Dear Linda,

Thanks for your prompt and honest reply.
Now question is that do you want to try to add another distinct feather to your cup?
Afterall, Everyday in this dynamic world, some positive unprecedented things are being done.

Best Regards,
Basim

Posted from my mobile device

Sure! Always willing. Please provide the information requested here, and we'll put you in touch with an experienced consultant. You may want to review our services.

Best,
Linda
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Two questions:

1. Do you have any idea what your GMAT score will be? How are you doing on practice exams?
2. Was your 80% above average for you program?

Thanks,
_________________

The most important thing you can do is convince them your family business is a big, serious enterprise and when you go back you are going to end up being a serious player in Mexico’s economy.

HBS uses your employer as a screen. They like selective forms because the candidate has been validated by Goldman Sachs or whoever.

Joining a family business is not selective, so you you need to sell them on this being a big player. Tell them how many employees, revenue, big projects, etc.

Retake the GMAT by all means if you think you can get a 710, but you need to execute the application to make them think you are gonna be a big somebody in Mexico.

Posted from my mobile device

.

You are a competitive applicant at HBS. It sounds like you have an amazing story, in additional to competitive qualifications. If you tell that story well, I'm optimistic about your chances at HBS. You may be interested in:

How to Leverage an HBS Education: The Story of LeverEdge
Ida Valentine: Investment Banker, Inspirational Speaker, HBS 2021
HBS essay tips.

Best,
Linda
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Hi guys,

Could you please review my chances of getting into HBS

Here comes my profile:


Origin: East Europe
Age: 27
Gender: male
GMAT score: 690 (Q49, V35, IR8, AWA 5) going to retake in October.
Undergrad: BBA in top university in my country. (GPA 3.54/4) Major in Finance.
Work experience: Big 4 for 2.5 years promotions with excellent reviews (5/5) covered different industries including: energy,
construction, retail and manufacturing. Was assigned as Senior in charge on project, while being
associate.
Biggest industrial holding in energy for 1 year as senior financial analyst.
After that moved to another big company in energy and utilities, as senior analyst. In less than 1 year was
promoted to head of analytical department managing team of 8 employees. Lead processes that had
impact not only on company but also on industry and country investment outlook. Been on this position
for two years.
Short term goal: work for one of the big consultancy firms
Long term goal: go back to my homeland and use my knowledge and experience to support country's development in
private or public sector.
Hobby: Trivia games (participated in two TV shows); Captain of high school trivia team (won country competition among private schools); photography; cinema
(used to be co-president of university cinema club)
Other: Finished high school with honors (silver medal); Got scholarship from government for university.

Other background: born in very small town, which was severely effected during one of the conflicts with neighboring country and my family had to flee our hometown, so I've been a refugee for some period.

It will be very helpful to got any idea, if I am suitable candidate for HBS.

Thank you in advance!

With a higher GMAT and well written application that reveals your leadership and impact as well as your personal story and aspirations. you have a competitive profile for HBS and programs that will prepare you well for the top consulting firms. In other words, yes, apply to HBS, but don't apply only to HBS.

In your app, don't just talk about your performance reviews or responsibilities; write about what caused you to get those excellent reviews and the difference you made.

Best,
Linda
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What's the minimum required GMAT score to be considered ??