Hi
leaningin,
Thank you for your post and for sharing your profile. Indeed, you have an impressive background; your academic and professional experience are very competitive for your target schools. Your extracurricular are as well; however, you don't mention any recent work. Are you involved with any organization now (post undergrad)?
Your target schools rank among the best of the best and have great social impact programs. They also offer joint degrees. Are you looking only at the MBA program, or are you open to apply to the joint MBA/JD programs as well?
These programs are also highly competitive (single digit acceptance rate). You have a number of aspects working in your favor, but I recommend you re-take the GMAT if you can increase your score by 20+ point. The median GMAT to these schools is around 720+. That is not to say that you cannot get in with your current score; instead, the recommendation is meant to increase your chances (which can also impact scholarships).
The MBA application is comprised of multiple parts. Universities want to see not only your academic prowess but also your interpersonal skills. Your application, therefore, must speak to and touch on various points, to ensure the AdComm gets to know you. Indeed the quantitative aspect of the application only qualifies you for a seat at the table; getting a seat at the table requires something more, typically demonstrated in the interpersonal (EQ) part of the application.
Since scholarship is essential, I recommend you pay attention to the EQ aspect of the application and apply to a number of schools (reach, target, and safety schools), so you may receive multiple offers. Negotiating scholarship with numerous offers makes the final decision easier.
I hope this helps.
If you are interested in continuing the conversation, please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation (contact details in signature).
Good luck!
leaningin wrote:
Age: 25
Gender: Female
Indian
Undergraduate: Top law school in India
GPA: (top 15% of class)
GMAT: 710 (47Q/41V)
Work Experience: 2 years as a consultant in MBB. Primary exposure to financial sector- have experience across strategy and implementation. Rolled out a challenging digital transformation in an Indian state for a client focused on lending to micro-enterprises. Spearheaded a social impact initiative in office involving payroll giving- had to coordinate with multiple stakeholders within the office and get people speaking different languages (IT, finance, HR, legal) on board to solve the problem.
Extra-curricular: In college, headed an NGO dealing with access to education. Led a team of 20+ to reach 2000+ low income students who were interested in studying law. Also conceptualised a one of its kind 'university census' and drafted a report which was covered heavily by Indian media and released by the Uni before the President of India.
I want to pursue social impact investing. I am extremely passionate about social impact, moved from law to MBB as I believe the scope of creating impact is much higher in the world of business. I'm deeply interested in market based solutions to social/policy issues. Am particularly interested in financial inclusion. Short term goal is to work in impact investing to get an overview of social enterprises and how successful enterprises work. Long term goal is to start a social enterprise of my own- lending to micro enterprises in India, particularly to women.
From the research I've done the following schools have great social entrepreneurship programs. Do you think I have a chance with my profile?
Yale SOM
Fuqua
Stanford GSB
Kellog
HBS
I am also worried about funding my studies, as I do not want to be forced to go back to consulting or take up IB/PE etc to pay off the gigantic US MBA loan. What would be the possibility of receiving a scholarship?