Chances to get into HBS

Question

I Would be glad to hear some honest and realistic feedback on my chances of being admitted to HBS/Wharton: 
 
 Gender: Male 
 Age: 25 
 Nationality: Italian 
 2 Years work experience at top consulting Firm (McKinsey) 
 Undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Bocconi University (M.Sc in Finance) with final graduation mark of 110/110 cum laude 
  700 GMAT: 44 (97%) Verbal and 42 (66%) Quantitative + 5 points writing assessment (taken June 2007) 
 117 TOEFL (taken february 2011)  
Additional info: 
 
  Speak Italian (mothertongue), English (fluent), German (conversational), French (conversational) 
  Exchange student at York University - Schulich MBA for one semester 
  Various study abroad programs at high school and university 
  Passionate for travel, ancient art and archaeology (took part to excavation camps and expeditions in Northern Sahara and Middle East) 
  Early involvement in family business  
  Students' body political representative at high school

Thanks in advance!

bakfed · Answer

I think you have a shot at HBS and Wharton. To be honest, even with just 2 years of work experience, I'd say go for it. You're still young. Should you be rejected, you will always have another year or two to brush up your resume and GMAT score if necessary.

jordanhendrix · Answer

He dropped the M bomb!

Yea you have a shot, bacconi + Mck + 700 Gmat + youre young + youre Italian

go for it!

oldguru82 · Answer

in my view you have pretty good chances in any top-5 school, including HBS. However, Q42 in GMAT is by far your weakest aspect

StacyBlackman · Answer

Hi neoatlantean,

I agree with the posts above that you have a strong candidacy. However, your quantitative GMAT score is low. At the undergraduate level, have you taken classes that are quant focused (Ex: Statistics, economics, etc.)?

You will also need to focus on your personal essays and letters of recommendations. These are often overlooked by applicants but will play a critical role in your application.

If you'd like, here is a free section with Harvard Business School advice: https://www.stacyblackman.com/category/harvard-advice/

Hope this was of help.

Cheers,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team

neoatlantean · Answer

Thank you very much for all of your replies.

I acknowledge I could improve my GMAT quant score. However, I would assume that a highly quantitative background in Finance (M.Sc. Finance, with excellent scores in exams such as advanced statistics, econometrics, derivatives, etc.) will somehow compensate.

What about my GMAT scores getting old instead? Would it matter anything as long as these are not older than 5 years?

Many thanks!!!

StacyBlackman · Answer

Hi neoatlantean,

As long as your GMAT scores don't expire (after 5 years), the date at which you took the test won't matter.

Best,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team

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