Profile evaluation for HBS, Sloan (MIT), CBS, Stanford, Wharton, GRE 327, Computer Hardware background, from Nigeria

gmatclub

Comments 10 comments

2 years ago

Wow. Full Undergrad scholarship - that's quite impressive! Great to have you part of the GMAT Club!

We do have a few other of your countrymen applying - all seem very capable!
I feel your profile is very strong and the score is not a big decision maker. If you felt you could improve it meaningfully, may make sense to apply in R2 but not sure where you would submit to. GSB or Kellogg maybe?

Fascinating that you had a math minor and only 161 on the GRE. I think they will take it as a flue and it won't come into play a whole lot but don't expect any FinAid obviously for the GRE obviously 😇

Good luck with the interview invites!
-BB

jf.zero

Thanks for the quick response. Appreciate your input. About my score, it’s from 2019 when I took the GRE on a lark.

I’d certainly do much better today but was unable to focus on prep because I was affected by layoffs this summer.

I’ve found a new role at an AI startup but it’s meant I’ve had to fall back on my score from ages ago.

Added all this context to optional essays so hopefully it’s not a real ding.

Got ya. Then I would not worry about your GRE.

Sorry about the layoffs this summer 🥴 I have had some friends change jobs only two be surprised with layoff announcement three months later… It was very disrupting and made them feel very insecure on the H1B.

Yeah the uncertainty is nerve-racking. But I’ve been nothing but resilient in my time here in America.

Question: With an improved GRE/GMAT score, what do you reckon my chances look like for Stanford/Wharton in R2 assuming I strike out in R1.

With the average being up there for the GRE (this is a year old information, not the latest by the way: https://gmatclub.com/forum/average-gre- ... 11935.html) but the average being a bit above yours, I think the chances don't really go up much with the higher GRE. HBS takes in people with low scores but they also get a boatload of people with high scores. I don't think a score will improve your chances that much at HBS/GSB. Maybe Columbia or MIT. Maybe Wharton but not HBS or GSB (I mean your chances with your score, obviously don't apply with 310)

yellogood

Hi @jf.zero, impressive profile! I'm Nigerian (currently in Nigeria) myself

I'd like to know your thoughts about using entrepreneurship as your ST post-MBA goal (probably welcome at HBS/Stanford). Except of course, you're now a US citizen

Some Adcom advice against it for internationals w/o the green card or any stable work authorization as schools want to reduce risks and protect their employment report.

1 year ago

Sorry for the crazy late reply. Hope it's still useful. Entrepreneurship as you post-MBA goal just has to line up with your journey so far. I think if you can show that it's a logical follow-on step in light of your past then you should be fine. Also, lots of people change goals once they get in the program.

All good!!! Congrats on CBS 👍

Thanks! I’m so glad. Got a decent scholarship too (will try to negotiate post R2 decisions) but M7 is nothing to sneeze at.

Yes! Makes a huge difference! Yellowgood mention to me that it’s often trixky for African applicants to secure a visa without a scholarship… which was a pretty big surprise to me and a pretty big challenge. Not only do you have to get into a good school, you have to get a scholarship. What are the odds of that… definitely use it with programs!