Labmalo wrote:
Hello Experts. I am applying for the R2. Please kindly help me on some questions:
1) I plan to write the essay and Post-MBA goal separately, means they don't really relate to each other. Do you think it is okay? My plan is:
- In the essay: I will try to show Adcom who I am; how I overcame difficulties and how such experience affect to what I am today; and how the experience affect how I lead (I am from an ethnic minority group in a developing country, had to work all the time during my college to earn money for my tuition & living fee but finally landed a government scholarship from a developed country so I could support myself. I earned my post-high school degrees from that country)
- In the post MBA goals: I plan to tell them about a technological project that I have planed for a long time with my friend who is a scientist. In this project, I will take part on the business strategy side. We have earned agreement to join us from 30+ scientists around the world and from some influential people such as a very well known astronaut. We also gained some significant funding from Europe to train our scientists in England as well. This project is to help providing the advanced technologies to my own country to improve people's lives. The project is still on planning stage and still needs lot of skills/expertise to make it happen so I thought I need an MBA for this purpose.
So as you see, the essay and my goal are not really related so I wonder if it will be a question mark to the adcom. I am thinking about showing the adcom different aspects of myself but please advise if I should make them connected.
2) I know 4 langues and English is my 4th. My TOEFL is okay (108/120) but my GMAT is much lower than the HBS's average (only 650; Q was 49 so maybe not terrible?). My question is can my academic performance cover this weak point ? (I graduated as valedictorian from Undergrad program which is Economics; 2/3 of my courses were in math related such as Econometrics/ Calculus/ Statistics/Business game/ Finance etc and all were A or B grades)
3) I am already 34 years old. Will it be a problem ?
4) I have a Master in Finance already and have 9 years experience in this field working as Financial Analyst for Asia Pacific HQ of an US firm in Healthcare field. My role is collaborating with the finance managers of the local countries in the region to maintain the accuracy of their finance data. Will it be a pause to adcome such as: maybe he doesn't need an MBA ...?
5) Other activities: (not a question, just FYI to advise on my candidacy)
+ Co-founder of a small food business in the aforementioned developed country (I am currently living here)
+ volunteer for 2 year in 2 different groups of the developed country mentioned above that support children in my countries ; now I privately financially support ethnic minorities children in my countries from time to time when I can
+ member of an local sport group for 2 years
+ invited by the charity group that I volunteered to deliver speech to 150+ people about my country some years ago
I am sorry if my questions sound like I am bragging out about my app but I just want to get as more specific advice as possible. I've finished almost everything for the writing now and in the re-reading/revise process so still have time to correct where I need to. Thank you a million and good luck to everyone!
Labmalo,
Thank you for your questions. Here are my responses:
1. Please note that the max allowe for he post-MBA goal is 500 characters. That's roughly 100 words. I can't really opine on your essay or goals statement without seeing them. I can tell you that there is not a problem if the essay and goals statement don't connect closely. They can't conflict.
2. A 650 is low at HBS and an obstacle to admissions. It is possible, but unlikely that your grades will carry the day. If you come from a country that is very under-represented at business schools, that is more likely.
3. The typical student at HBS as 3-8 years of full-time work experience. They do have some students in their 30's, but they don't show a break-down of acceptance rates by age or level of experience. My sense is that people in their mid-30's are less likely to get accepted than younger applicants, but it does happen.
4. It could be a problem. Please see my answer to #3, but again if you have a good reason for wanting an MBA now and aren't reliant on the career services center for your next job, it could work. Please see "
Applying to Regular MBA Programs as an Older Applicant"
You might also be interested in the
Harvard MBA Essay Tips.Best,
Linda
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Linda Abraham
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