ladylazarus,
You definitely have a chance at those schools if you can raise your GMAT as close to the 80th percentile (quant/verbal) as you can. In terms of improving your profile, you should commit to the fund development NGO work and ramp it up ASAP to strengthen your leadership, network through professional associations in the healthcare management space to establish your "bona fides" as an HCM career switcher, and consider applying early decision to either CBS or Duke. MIT and Wharton will be much tougher than Duke, but perhaps also consider Tuck. I'd be happy to give your resume a closer look:
paulbodine@yahoo.com.
--Paul Bodine, Great Applications for Business School,
www.paulsbodine.com/testimonialsladylazarus wrote:
I am looking to transition into healthcare management from investor relations (in spec pharma). I know that people who choose this route usually have a science/finance background, so I was wondering if the switch would be difficult for someone like me.
Undergraduate: Top 10 liberal arts school.
GPA: 3.53
Work Experience: I will have 4-4.5 years of work experience at matriculation if I apply in the next year or two (and assuming someone accepts the likes of me). After college, I spent 8 months as a researcher at a grant-making foundation. Then, I took time off for a year to take care of a sick family member while studying for the LSAT (no regrets). Instead of pursuing law school, I decided to go back into the workplace at an investor relations firm in marketing for a year and a half. Next, I went into a corporate investor relations role, but at a specialty pharmaceuticals company. I really enjoy the complex and nuanced nature of this industry, particularly the strategizing aspect of my job where I work closely with management and interact across all departments, but have grown dissatisfied with the limited growth opportunities career-wise. Thus, my interest in transitioning into HC management consulting.
Extracurriculars: I have always volunteered throughout high school and college, although I haven't been able to do so while working. I recently joined a fund development team at a nonprofit that provides screening services for the underprivileged and minorities. I have been asked to head it and will accept if I am certain that I can provide the dedicated time and commitment.
GMAT: I scored in the high 600s. I plan to dedicate more time to studying when I get closer to a decided application cycle.
School targets: I know I am extremely overestimating myself, and that Wharton, Yale SOM, Kellogg, and Duke have excellent programs that are all reaches for me. I have also been looking at Columbia, NYU, and MIT, which are also reaches.
I would appreciate input on 1. if I have any chance at the above schools through improvement 2. what parts of my profile I would need to improve upon, and 3. what other schools and programs I should be exploring. Thank you for your time!
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Updated on: 04 Feb 2016, 10:43
